Locals brimming with pride as Rodgers takes reins at Liverpool

Locally the news has been welcomed by members of First Larne Olderfleet Liverpool FC Supporters’ Club and in Carnlough, well, the villagers - Reds fans or not - are simply brimming with pride.

Carnlough Swifts Football Club secretary Martin McKinley knows Rodgers. Just weeks after he won the Championship play-off final with Swansea at the 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium, Rodgers was an interested observer at the junior club’s first pre-season training session ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

“Everybody in Carnlough is delighted at the news,” said Martin. “It’s hard to believe. He was practically an unknown four or five years ago and now he has become manager of Liverpool. It’s a big step for Brendan but he has worked hard for it.”

He added: “He’s a very honest fella; he tells you how it is. He has a great knowledge of the game and any time he is over in Carnlough he always chatting about different aspects of the game. He has been endorsed by Jose Mourinho and that says it all.

“Liverpool is a big job but he wouldn’t have taken it on if he didn’t believe in himself.

“There are plenty of Liverpool fans in Carnlough but there might just be a few more of them now!”