Foy steps down as Nortel boss

Nortel manager Paul Foy (right) with assistant John McMinn. Photo: Philip McCloy

Foy’s side finished fifth in the Premier Division but they were very much in contention for the title up until the very last week of the campaign.

Indeed, with the way other results worked out, had they won their last three games, they would have clinched the title.

However, they lost 2-0 away to eventual champions Drumaness Mills in the midweek ‘six-pointer’ after conceding two penalties in the final three minutes. They were then were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat to Islandmagee in the derby the following Saturday.

Foy’s men finished the campaign on a high note with a 3-2 success over Drumaness at the Factory Grounds but by then, the damage was already done.

Yet given that Nortel had been fighting at right end of the table it had been a highly impressive campaign.

It turned out to be the club’s best season since 1999-2000 when they won the Border Regiment Cup and were runners-up in the Premier Division when Foy was captain.