Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAXIE SWAIN
hill was a better fit, allowing him to continue playing while continuing his education about the other side of the game.
“It was nice to score on Saturday, it always is if you are a striker, but for me, it’s a different sort of role I have behind the scenes at the club now,” explained Upton.
“It’s always nice to score on the pitch but I’m trying to do the two sides of the game now to move on because I’m getting to that age where I’m thinking about getting into coaching and maybe managing soon.
“Ravenhill are going to put me through my badges, plus it’s my local club, and Robbie is a good friend, so it made sense after what happened at Orangefield when everyone walked away just as I was going to take a coaching role.
“I just wouldn’t have had it in me to build the club up, especially still when I wanted to play, so Ravenhill was just a good chance to go somewhere where they were going to help me through everything while I am still playing.”
Walker hailed the impact Upton has had on his team, insisting the 34-year-old and the rest of the summer arrivals have been integral in elevating Ravenhill to the next level following last year’s promotion from 2C.
“He’s got more than 20 this season now and he’s been a great signing, Upty makes a difference,” said Walker.
“We got some good signings in key positions.
“We’ve had some injuries too, but we just seem to have the right balance at the minute and a lot more depth at the club as a whole.”
Turning to Saturday’s win, Walker was delighted to see his club hit back after a lacklustre display in crashing out of the
Cochrane Corry Cup last week at Kircubbin.
“I think the Swifts are towards the bottom end of their league but for us it continued the good form we have had,” he said.
“We got put out of the cup last week in a replay so it was a good reply and to win against higher opposition so to speak.
“And until yesterday [Saturday], we were sitting top of the league so we’re doing well, everything’s positive and all being well, we’ll be pushing for promotion.
“There are some good teams in our league but we have confidence in ourselves.” 17.12.2019