Canning confirmed as new Dergview boss

TOMMY Canning has been appointed the new manager of Dergview Football Club.

The Strabane man takes over the reins following the departure of Ivan Sproule last week and will be assisted by Gareth Porter.

Canning had previously worked at the club as assistant to both Harry McConkey and Colin Colhoun and as manager in his own right for a short spell.

In 2017 Canning helped guide Sion Swifts Ladies to Irish Cup glory and in more recent times had been in charge of Finn Harps under-19s.

Following his appointment Canning said he has always had a strong affilation with the Darragh Park outfit and was delighted to return to the club as first team manager.

“I’m ready for this job. I stepped back from management a number of years ago but the plan was always to come back and manage at a decent level again and now is that time,” he said.

“My connection to the club stretches back a decade or more and even in more recent times I would have had conversations with Richard Clarke, Peter Allen and Ivan Sproule about potential players.

“I had a good talk with the committee over the weekend and there is a lot going on and off the field at Dergview and I’m excited to now be part of that. This club has taken great strides in recent times.

“The first call I made when I was offered the job was to bring Gareth Porter in as my number two. That was important in a whole lot of ways. Above everything else he is someone I trust.”

Following Sproule’s departure the club received a number of enquiries about the vacant position but it appeared that Canning was very much the front runner from the off.

Club chairman Roy Lecky said he was delighted that the former Tyrone Milk Cup manager had agreed to take the reins.

“Tommy Canning needs no introduction to anyone at the club,” he said.

“He’s always maintained an interest in the club even when he wasn’t involved. We firmly believe Tommy is the right man for the job and are delighted that Gareth Porter will be acting as his right hand man. The club is looking forward to working closely with both men.”

In 2012 Tommy Canning was the manager of the Tyrone Milk Cup team which defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Darragh Park.

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY’S ULSTER HERALD