Marksing Orders!

Jamie Marks time at Ballymena has expired and he has moved to Portadown just beating the transfer deadline. Jamie has, if you’ll pardon the pun, been marking time at United for the last two years. Jamie made only 42 appearances as a Sky Blue in that time, scoring only two goals in the process, not much of a return for earning a decent wage. But that’s all water under the bridge so to speak and we at ‘Sport wish Jamie well at his new club. As Jamie moved out yet another player moved in when manager Wright signed former Cliftonville and Institute goalkeeper, Kieran McLaughlin. This news will come as a jolt to Willie McFrederick, who had just forced his way into the first team, now he not only has to challenge Greg Shannon for the keeper’s jersey, he’ll have to contend with McLaughlin as well. The United defence still looks a bit ‘creaky’ and was exposed once more at Newry last night. New signing Kevin Kelbie looks a bit ‘raw’ up front, but we’ll now see what manager Wright is made of, we’ll see if he can work the magic and turn him into a lethal striker. Gary Smyth who missed last night’s game through injury should be fit for the next game away to Glenavon in eleven days time. Unfortunately we won’t have a match report for that game as Bruce Balmer is off overseas after the World cup match with England and won’t return until two day’s before the first league match. In the meantime we will try to keep you updated in all that’s happening at the old Showgrounds.