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Loughgall Football Club is a semi-professional Northern Irish football club currently playing in the NIFL Premiership. The club has been managed by Dean Smith since 2016.
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| Full name | Loughgall Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Villagers | ||
| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Ground | Lakeview Park | ||
| Capacity | 1,650 | ||
| Chairman | Sam Nicholson | ||
| Manager | Dean Smith | ||
| League | NIFL Premiership | ||
| 2023–24 | NIFL Premiership, 9th of 12 | ||
| Website | https://loughgallfc.co.uk/ | ||
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History
editThe club, founded in 1967, is situated in the village of Loughgall, near Armagh in County Armagh and they play their home games in the village at Lakeview Park. The club was accepted into the old Irish League B Division in 1991, having played largely at junior level prior. Alfie Wylie is their longest serving manager, being in charge from 1986 to 1999. In the 1996–97 season, the club would have a good season, notably defeating Cliftonville in the League Cup, winning the Bob Radcliffe cup and reaching the semi-final of the Irish Cup. In the space of four years, the Lakeview Park side would win four consecutive B Divisions however would not be granted election to the 1st Division, being overlooked for other, arguably bigger clubs further down the league table.
First Premiership foray, Championship era and Premiership return (2004-)
editThey achieved senior status in 2004 on promotion to the Irish Premier League, but reverted to intermediate status upon relegation in 2007. In 2007, under the management of Niall Currie, the club had their most successful season, winning the first division, Bob Radciffe, Mid Ulster Cup, Intermediate Cup and Carnegie League Cup. The villagers would win the league again in 2009–10 but would not be promoted. On 3 March 2018, Loughgall defeated Glenavon 2–1 to reach the semi-final of the Irish Cup for the first time since 1997.[1]
In April 2023, the club would return to the NIFL Premiership for the first time since 2007, following a 3–1 win away to Dundela.[2] In being promoted, the village of Loughgall would become the smallest settlement, with a population of 283, to have a top flight team in Europe.[3] The club would start their season away to Newry City. The club would perform incredibly well in the top flight, securing a notable victory over champions Larne, and finishing well clear of the relegation zone. The villagers plaudits would see manager Dean Smith receive Manager of the Year from the NIFWA. Striker Benji Magee had been subject of significant interest from Larne, Glentoran and Walsall following a strong campaign with the club, before securing a move to champions Larne in August 2024. [4]
Current squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Managerial history
edit- Noel Willis (1967–70)
- George Willis (1970–76)
- Sam Robinson (1977–81)
- Raymond Nesbitt (1983–84)
- Willie Forbes (1984–85)
- Alfie Wylie (1986–99)
- Alan Fraser (1999)
- Ronnie Cromie (1999–01)
- Jimmy Gardiner (2001–06)
- Shane Reddish (2006–07)
- Niall Currie (2007–Feb 2011)
- Colin Malone (May 2011–Aug 2013)
- Gary McKinstry (Aug 2013–Dec 2013)
- Brian Adair (Dec 2013–Dec 2014)
- Noel Mitchell (Jan 2015–May 2015)
- Stephen Uprichard and Steven Hawe (May 2015–November 2016)
- Dean Smith (November 2016-)
Honours
editSenior honours
edit- NIFL Championship: 1
- Mid-Ulster Cup: 3
- 2003–04, 2007–08, 2019–20
(Note: The NIFL Championship gained senior status in 2016, having previously been an intermediate competition.)
Intermediate honours
edit- Irish League B Division/First Division /IFA Intermediate League/IFA Championship: 7
- Irish Intermediate Cup: 2
- 1997–98, 2007–08
- IFA Intermediate League Cup: 1
- 2007–08
- Bob Radcliffe Cup: 12
- 1978–79, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2014–15
References
edit- ^ "Loughgall FC History". Loughgall FC Website. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ "Villagers claim Lough 41 Championship". Northern Ireland Football League. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ "Loughgall on verge of UEFA record as smallest settlement to have a top flight football club". Belfast Telegraph Sport. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ "Start the bidding... Loughgall want at least £100,000 for in demand striker Benji Magee". Belfast Telegraph Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.