David Jeffrey does not officially start life as Portadown manager until the final whistle of Saturday’s final Irish League match but, just hours after the official club announcement of a three-year deal, declared “I see them as my sons” in reference to his players.

The comment, made after a single pre-training introductory conversation with the collective so to be taken simply but significantly as an overall reflection of the responsibility embraced in the role of head of the football family.

However, it also offered an insight into the passion to the calling that persuaded the 63-year-old to return to the daily grind for the first time since 2023.

A decorated CV thanks to over 30 trophies secured from the dug-outs with Linfield and Ballymena United, Jeffrey’s acceptance of a Portadown offer to replace Niall Currie has served to spark the drive so celebrated within Irish League football.

Newly-appointed Portadown boss David Jeffrey (centre) with, from left, David Jameson (club chairman) and Paul Jackson (club vice-chairman). (Photo by Portadown FC)

placeholder image — Newly-appointed Portadown boss David Jeffrey (centre) with, from left, David Jameson (club chairman) and Paul Jackson (club vice-chairman). (Photo by Portadown FC)

Viewing a chance to manage four-time Irish League champions Portadown as “too big a privilege” to embrace without full commitment, Jeffrey is relishing the challenge.

Jeffrey said: "It's about is the situation right? Is there a realistic opportunity of being able to improve what's already here?

"Plus the fact that the time that you're out, when you're around the grounds, you can see what football clubs mean to supporters.

"I don't come here totally focused and totally on the money I'm letting a lot of people down.

"I had to make sure that I was absolutely up for this.

"I was very clear then when we were coming up the road this is the right thing to do, that this is a pathway that God has led me to...a journey I'm on.

"And there's not a chance in the world if I didn't think I could give all that I needed to give, I wouldn't be here.

"I said to the players tonight football is football but my approach will not change, I see them as my sons.

"And people can laugh all they want but that's basically the baseline.

"If you're going to support and help and encourage and do all of that, then you need to be emotionally in a strong place.

"I wasn't going down that road, not a chance in the world (if not ready for that commitment).

"Our families are too important and I wasn't going to start putting them through what will be the rigours of the football again...it needed to be something right on every level.

"Ultimately, I need to be in a position to be able to take care of others and if I'm not able to do that within my own setting, I can't do it elsewhere."

Jeffrey’s decision to step away from media duties accepted following an end of his time with previous club Ballymena was a big decision made thanks to the small details.

"Genuinely, the very, very, very last thing we talked about was my contract,” he said. "The best word is symmetrical...it fits.

"I would expect that everyone will match my commitment and the desire.

"You know there's going to be challenges, of that there is no doubt.

"The budget is the budget.

"I know where I would like to get to...the landscape has changed massively because of full-time football, so we're aware of that.

"So it's how can we make ourselves as good a part-time club as we possibly can...and we're banishing the word part-time almost!

"We are what we are and I've said to the players that what we're looking and striving to be is just the best that we can possibly be, to be as successful as we possibly can and to be the best versions of ourselves.

"That's what we're looking for and nothing will be asked of them that we wouldn't ask of ourselves.

"And it's about us going forward as a collective.

"Celebrate the joy and what you've achieved and what you've done.

"And all I'm going to say is can we now push on and continue just to be the best version of ourselves and as successful we can be?

"So that's the message.

"I don't like being beaten, I want people to be fighters, I want people to be winners.

"The players will be told, obviously, but I'm not going to start going out and putting out expectations (externally).

"We will know what we're seeking to achieve, where we want to get to and the players will be in no doubt of where that is.

"They're a good group of players...you think some of the performances they've had this season, some of the victories, absolutely first class.

"You think of the injuries as well that the club has gone through...they've done really, really well.

"The desire to win, the desire to be successful, the desire to serve and to encourage and support...those are words which you will hear again and again and again."