Harding confirms Ports exit in support of McFall

Harding, who has spent over a decade on the books at Shamrock Park, confirmed the news in the aftermath of the Irish Cup exit to Lurgan Celtic.

“I’ve made my decision clear to the Portadown chairman, Roy McMahon,” said Harding. “In support of Ronnie, I’ve also resigned from my position.

“I’ve no other comment to make.”

McFall offered his resignation to the Shamrock Park board minutes after Championship One-based Lurgan Celtic knocked Portadown out of the Irish Cup quarter-finals on a 3-2 scoreline.

McFall would have celebrated 30 years as manager of his hometown club in December, although his contract was set to expire at the end of the current campaign.

Darren Murphy, who was at Shamrock Park in a media role, urged fans to remember the success achieved by the club under McFall.

“I am young enough to remember the good times under Ronnie,” said Murphy, the former Irish League player and manager. “He gave me my Irish League debut as a player and then, when I moved into management, was a great source of advice.

“As someone from the area, I am only too aware of how big a figure Ronnie has been for football in this town.

“I only hope people appreciate what he has done for this club and town, in terms of making Portadown the most consistent challengers to the Belfast clubs and even putting the name on the map with European football.

“I watched the Lurgan Celtic game and would be critical of the players, I feel they have let the manager down.”