David Jeffrey's first interview as Portadown manager as Irish League legend returns after family considerations and 'number of conditions'

Jeffrey – winner of over 30 trophies across a glorious career in the dugout with Linfield and Ballymena United – will now take charge of four-time Irish League champions Portadown on a three-year contract.

One week on from the departure of Niall Currie, Jeffrey has highlighted in his first interview with media following confirmation of the Shamrock Park appointment, the reasons behind his surprise return.

Jeffrey has been working as a media pundit since leaving Ballymena in 2023 and declared his professional pride at joining a club with Portadown’s rich history but also special personal circumstances behind accepting the offer.

"This is totally unexpected,” said Jeffrey, sitting in the manager’s office at Shamrock Park as his new players took part in training. "The key thing in any consideration was Rosemary (Jeffrey’s partner) and that's the simple, honest truth.

"When we left Ballymena, it was shortly after that Rose was diagnosed with breast cancer and that was all-consuming in terms of her surgery and treatment and all of that.

"She has gone through all of her treatment...chemo, radiotherapy, a tablet form of chemotherapy as well and all of that has come to an end.

"Home had to be vitally important.

"For me, as a person, I had a number of conditions:

"I wasn't going to apply for a job...I thought, I've done 17-and-a-half years at Linfield, seven years at Ballymena – if someone wanted me to come in that I would be their first choice.

"Then I had to see what the situation was at the club in terms of aspirations, practicalities around budgets available, what was the club looking to do and did I think I could help in doing what they wanted to do?

"I met with the chairman David Jameson and vice-chairman Paul Jackson yesterday for three-and-a-half hours, then we talked some more last evening and then we talked some more this morning.

"And it was basically probably around lunchtime that every box was ticked.

"To be back, to be asked to be manager of a big club like this at 63 years of age is a massive compliment.

"To be seen as their next manager, I thought when am I going to have that opportunity again?

"So I thought, yes, I've had success at Linfield and success at Ballymena United and thought this is an opportunity.

"I spoke to Rose, my mother - who told me 'go and do it' - our children...it was very much the family in terms of the decision-making process, is this is the right thing?

"Step one was the timing around Rosemary's situation and then step two...there's got to be a vacancy.

"And I'm absolutely privileged to be here at this club and the message that I've given to the players is that we hope to build on the good work that was done by Niall Currie."

Jeffrey has a long history with Portadown – from a rivalry on the field across his playing days to dug-out demands following the move into management before, in more recent years, off-the-field connections.

"A big part of this is Ronnie McFall (Portadown manager during the club’s golden era of four Irish League titles)...when I was at Manchester United (as a player), he was at Glentoran (as a manager) and brought me home to play against Liverpool (in a friendly).

"Long ago I got to know David Jameson (Portadown chairman) very well and, latterly, Paul Jackson (Portadown vice-chairman)...there's always been a connection.

"If there's a vacancy you look at a club...you look and think what has the club done? What is the size of the club? What is the potential with regards to support and all those things?

"Can you play a good, positive part in the club's history?

"The fans will know that I'll be giving off my absolute best.

"That is what my job is...if we could help the players, the staff, the supporters, the Board of Directors and, ultimately, the club.

"I'm looking to do my best for them and I hope that my best will be good enough for them."