A rewarding season both on and off the pitch

Leigh Livingstone is welcomed onto the Glenavon board by chairman Adrian Teer while Frazer Follis, treasurer and Trevor Harper, director look on.

Club treasurer Frazer Follis delivered a glowing financial report which showed the Lurgan Blues had made a profit for the first time in many seasons.

He also said current projections to clear the debt with the IFA, which was incurred to complete work on the turnstyles when the company doing the work went bust, would be cleared in two years.

Mr Adrian Teer, who chaired the meeting, welcomed those in attendance at the Bedeck Suite and called for a short silence to remember those fans who had passed away during the season.

He then went on to say it has been one of the best seasons since he came to the club and paid tribute to the magnificent work by manager Gary Hamilton and his backroom team.

“All of the credit for the success of the team goes to Gary and his team,” said Adrian.

“Last year he said his aim was to continue improving the team and he went beyond that as we made giant strides this year by finishing in the top six and winning the Irish Cup in May which was the icing on the cake.

“Ten years ago we were relegated for the first time in our history, but now we have a solid foundation and a chance to continue building for the future.

“We do this within a strict budget. This is something we will continue to do. I admit in the past we got it wrong by throwing money at players and it did not work. Now we have a great balance of experience and youth which Gary must take a lot of credit for.

“He has brought the right type of player to the club and we really have a great dressing room where everyone is together and that means so much when it comes to getting results on the pitch.”

The board was returned en bloc apart from Nigel O’Hara who stepped down for business reasons but would remain associated with the club as a vice-president.

Leigh Livingstone, a member of the Victoria GSC, was voted onto the board and welcomed into her new role by the chairman and those present.

Company secretary Harry Cherry, who has retired, was thanked for his sterling work over the last 16 years.

Gerry Marks took over as company secretary on Tuesday.