Gerard spurs Dromara

Gerard spurs Dromara

29 January 2014

FROM White Hart Lane in London to Bells Bridge in Dromara — that has been the journey undertaken by Gerard McMahon.

The former Northern Ireland international, who played for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1990s, is the new manager of Dromara Village FC

The appointment was made last week and McMahon’s first job will be to lift his new charges out of the relegation zone of the Amateur League’s top flight.

“Yes, it’s going to be a tough challenge, but one I am looking forward to,” he said last night. “I have been made extremely welcome by the club and can’t wait to get going with the players.

“I would like to give all the players at the club a chance in the next few weeks to see what they can do, and if I feel that I need to bring in players, I will.

“I have played under a number of big name managers and they all had a different philosophy on how to play the game. I believe that I have taken bits and pieces from Terry Venables, Ossie Ardiles, Gerry Francis and Sammy McIlroy and incorporated them into my own beliefs, he added.

“I am a great believer in working on players’ ability first and foremost and fitness will follow on nicely after that.”

McMahon’s first game in charge will be at home on Saturday against Islandmagee. After that, there’s a trip to Albert Foundry. Both are must-win games.

McMahon first came to prominence with Glenavon in the early 90s with his explosive change of pace and accurate finish which earned him a dream move from Mourneview Park to White Hart Lane in 1992 for a £100,000 fee.

It took him a while to settle, given the departure of Terry Venables and the arrival of Ossie Ardiles.

However, he persevered and was eventually rewarded when his long-awaited first-team chance came at the end of the 1994-95 season.

He was a regular in the first team squad throughout the following season, without really establishing himself in the starting eleven.

In May 1995 he won the first of his 17 caps when he played for Northern Ireland against Canada in Edmonton.

McMahon found his first-team opportunities at White Hart Lane limited and in September 1996 he stepped down a division in order to further his career.

Spells at Stoke and St. Johnstone were followed by a return to Glenavon in 2000, but a bad leg break picked up in December 2002 ruled him out of football for over two years.

He remained at Mourneview as reserve team manager until October 2012 when he became assistant manager at Loughgall.

Dromara chairman John Owens is delighted that McMahon has now hitched his wagon to the Villagers.

“Gerard’s appointment is a big coup for the club and the buzz around Bells Bridge has already become apparent,” he said. “Being able to attract someone of Gerard’s calibre has lifted everyone.

“We feel he will help keep us moving forward as a club and this sends out a statement that we want to stay at the top levels of the Amateur League. With this appointment we would hope that we will be able to bring a good standard of football to Bells Bridge.

“Gerard and his management team are bringing a wealth of experience to Bells Bridge and as a former Northern Ireland, Spurs and Glenavon player he will command respect.

“Our ambition is to expand our coaching staff, ensuring that talent is nurtured within the club from mini soccer through to the first team.

“Like all clubs in the Amateur League we have had to look hard at our business model and we feel that with the support of our members we can sustain our club and build for the future.”