Portadown’s top-flight return ‘a must’ but only the next step for Matthew Tipton

However, the ambitious boss considers the landmark just another stepping stone within the overall club plans for progress.

The club’s 2017 relegation at a time of financial concerns, a disjointed squad and demoralised fanbase left subsequent promotion out of the Championship crucial to the rebuilding efforts of those connected to the Shamrock Park outfit.

But Tipton rejects the idea of that Championship success as any singular achievement within his overall ambition - instead promotion is viewed as a necessary way to close out one chapter and move forward towards the start of Portadown’s Premiership future.

It is a forward step he will take this weekend with a Mid-Ulster derby away to Glenavon in a fixture which only fuels the intrigue as to how Portadown can adapt to life back on the grand stage.

“I’m buzzing and the reason I joined Portadown was with the objective of leading the club at the top level,” said Tipton, a former Ports striker (pictured with captain Luke Wilson and last season’s Championship league trophy). “I’m always proud to represent Portadown as manager and part of the attraction was to join a club that has the same long-term vision.

“To get out of the Championship was, quite simply, a must for the future of the club and that became a clear goal coming into last season.

“But now we are back up at senior level it’s not about setting targets but, instead, working as part of an overall plan.

“There was external pressure on Portadown as a Championship club to win every game but now many outside observers look on us as relegation candidates.

“My approach and that of the players remains the same from last season to this - we have a winning mentality that drives our work and how we approach everything.

“We did not opt for wholesale changes to the squad after promotion because I believe in these players and the signings made.

“There will be no excuses about a shortage of Premiership experience - we have players here that want to win, the same mentality that drives me.

“We want to embrace the challenges ahead as, ultimately, striving to compete with those at the top level and the tests that come with that should be everyone’s goal.”

Portadown have secured terms with 20-year-old former Republic of Ireland underage international defender Kevin Healy on a one-year deal.

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