Hanover and Rectory Rangers managers with contrasting backgrounds but similar Mid-Ulster challenges

The two Portadown-based clubs stand divided as derby rivals but share similar community roots and News Letter deputy sports editor Patrick Van Dort spoke to both managers on the eve of the Intermediate A kick-off to reflect on turbulent introductions to life within each dug-out.

Magee will enjoy a homecoming of sorts at Rectory for his first taste of senior management and Thornton is stepping in as an experienced outsider tasked with replacing a record-breaking regime.


GARY MAGEE

Gary Magee spent more than a decade each training night and matchday making the short journey of a few miles from his Portadown home to play Mid-Ulster football for village club Tandragee Rovers.

That grounding in the specific lessons - both written and unwritten - of the game at that level helped shape his transition into a recent role alongside manager Neil Rowntree at a Rovers club he always represented with pride and passion.

Magee’s time in Tandragee remains one dominated by happy memories and lasting friendships but once back in Portadown along those years of training nights and matchdays he would often find himself mixing in Rectory Rangers circles.

Socially and geographically, Rectory has been a constant for Magee and his appointment as manager felt a natural formal step to what had been an informal link for so many years.

“I live in the area, have played a few friendlies for Rectory even in the past and know so many of the people around the club in and out of football,” said Magee. “I know what Rectory means to people and have seen over the years the dedication and commitment put in by the committee.

“It’s a club with real ambition and people willing to work hard to achieve those goals, so when the chance came to take on the manager’s job it just felt right.

“I remember Rectory not so long ago as a Division Three club in Mid-Ulster football and have seen and talked to people about how they’ve been able to rise up and reach Intermediate A football.

“After all the sweat and sacrifices to get to this point, it’s now about stability to stay at this level and building something long-term.

“I know and understand the values of the club and am excited to move forward.

“I owe so much to Tandragee and am grateful for what I enjoyed across my career, first as a player and then during that introduction to senior management.

“My work with Portadown Youth over so many years was also a wonderful introduction to management and that helped shape my ability to develop talent.

“I’m ambitious and driven to carry lessons from both those areas into this role at Rectory.

“Man-management is something I’ve found to be crucial across all levels, it doesn’t matter if it’s a player with Portadown Youth or a Mid-Ulster player.

“It’s about allowing that player to maximise his ability and at Rectory we’ve a core group of experienced names to go alongside some really exciting young talent.

“The lockdown period has been difficult but I’m delighted with the signings and approach of the players overall so far, I’ve brilliant support from the committee and with Philip Pedlow as my assistant manager and Bryan Pentland a player/coach.

“We’ve all experience of the game across so many different standards so I’m enjoying bringing all of that together as we work towards our goals at Rectory.”


DAN THORNTON

Dan Thornton is hoping for key gains off small margins in a bid to follow on from one of the most celebrated periods in Mid-Ulster history.

Steven Hyndes and Dean Crowe secured Intermediate A title glory, back-to-back Premier Cup success and a Bob Radcliffe Cup alongside impressive Intermediate Cup and Irish Cup campaigns across a five-year period.

For Thornton, it’s about minor but significant tweaks over major turnover to ensure a smooth transition.

“I came into the club and the plan for us as a management team was to watch Hanover’s final seven or eight games last season in preparation for a normal summer pre-season but, of course, that all changed due to the lockdown,” said Thornton. “But I had brilliant support from Steven and Dean in terms of helping to assess the players and discuss everything.

“Pre-season has been obviously different to normal but I’ve been pleased with the dedication and I look on the squad and see a group in need of minor changes rather than a major run of signings.

“It is such a hard-working committee at Hanover and I might not be from the town originally but have lived in Portadown for a few years, so know players and the area.

“I know what the importance of the club is in the community and you only have to see the massive numbers of fans who turn up to support Hanover to realise what it means.

“But I’m coming in confident we can make progress and I certainly feel we go into this season with a squad that can deliver.”

Thornton will draw on his background from other clubs of not only transition but a track record of trophies.

“I’ve been able to bring success to other jobs at places like Moneyslane, Banbridge Rangers, Orchard County and Downshire YM,” said Thornton. “The pre-season preparations were a bit more difficult than usual due to the restrictions on group numbers initially then moving towards full-contact training but I’ve a good team alongside me and brilliant committee.

“Dougie Macdonald, David Harvey and Scott McMillan have been with me previously so that helps in terms of dealing with the difficulties facing any new manager then the coronavirus disruption on top.

“Taking on the job at Hanover was an easy decision, you only have to look at the squad of players.

“But we also realise it’s not about quick-fix results, it’s about building again slowly in the right way.

“We are all on the same page with that approach across committee and management, I really do not see the need for drastic changes.

”The job done by Steven and Dean may never be replicated and that run of progress and success over five years was just fantastic.

“But we are ambitious and look on a group of players with plenty of trophy-winning history but also some fresh additions and a good overall hunger for more.

“Nothing gets handed to you but we are all relishing the challenge.”