Strabane Athletic confirm new manager

Rory Patterson has been confirmed as the new player-manager of Strabane Athletic.

The former professional takes over from Derry man Marty McCann who has taken up a coaching position at Cliftonville.

Following McCann’s departure Patterson declared an interest in filling the vacancy and this morning club chairman Seamus McElroy confirmed that the former Derry City and Coleraine player had been appointed manager.

McElroy feels Patterson ticks all the boxes at this particular time.

“We need stability and we are delighted that Rory has stepped up,” he said.

“He’s been in a lot changing rooms over the years and he has the respect of the group.

“He’s  a qualified coach and with the start of the league season just two or three weeks away he is keen to get stuck in.”

The chairman also put on record his thanks to Marty McCann for his contribution as coach and manager.

“In some respects it was with a heavy heart that Marty took the job at Cliftonville but we simply couldn’t stand in his way.”

Patterson is the fourth manager appointed by Strabane Athletic in as many months following the previous departures of Liam McMenamin and Eamon Curry on health grounds and work commitments respectively.

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