Cousins delighted with Gillespie signing
Credit:
It was the news story that not only caught Longford Town supporters by surprise but the rest of the League of Ireland; Keith Gillespie signs for First Division side Longford Town.
The former Northern Ireland International who played with Manchester Utd, Newcastle Utd and Blackburn Rovers, to name a few, has signed for the Town until the end of the current season. He will be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday afternoon and is set to make his Town debut against Athlone Town at Flancare Park on Saturday night (2nd April).
Speaking about his new recruit, Town boss Tony Cousins said sponsor Phil Munnelly was the main instigator in the move. “Phil Munnelly who is involved with the club, he let it be known that Keith was interested in playing and asked me would I be interested. The Chairman then rang me and asked would I be interested, that it was my call. I said I’d go and meet him. I met Keith and he was very enthusiastic. He wants to play for the club and wants to come in and do well,” the Town boss told ExtraTime.ie.
Gillespie, who is 36 years old, brings with him a wealth of experience at both club and international level. The Town boss feels his presence at the club will help the younger players. He said, “My feeling on it is he will help the younger players. He has been there and played at the highest level. It will give players in the dressing-room a lift. Hopefully it works out. If it does it’ll be a great signing for the club.”
Cousins admitted that his players are delighted with their new team-mate. They will meet and train with him on Sunday. He hopes the move will work out for everyone. “The players are delighted with it. At the end of the day, it’s a named player. It gives the club a profile and they got a good bit of publicity during the week. The most important thing is how it works out in the long-term. Hopefully Keith performs on the pitch for us. If that works out, then no doubt he’ll be a big plus. He gives you quality on the ball,” Cousins said.
Although he’s pleased to be able to call upon a player like Gillespie the main concern for Cousins is the club as a whole. He is trying to develop young players and hopes to continue that this season. He said, “Most of our players are U21 and Keith will help them. I’m interested in the whole club. Three U18s made their debut in the Leinster Senior Cup last week and that gave me as much pleasure as Keith Gillespie coming in. I’m interested in all the young players and the older ones; see what they can give us as well.”
The former Northern Ireland International who played with Manchester Utd, Newcastle Utd and Blackburn Rovers, to name a few, has signed for the Town until the end of the current season. He will be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday afternoon and is set to make his Town debut against Athlone Town at Flancare Park on Saturday night (2nd April).
Speaking about his new recruit, Town boss Tony Cousins said sponsor Phil Munnelly was the main instigator in the move. “Phil Munnelly who is involved with the club, he let it be known that Keith was interested in playing and asked me would I be interested. The Chairman then rang me and asked would I be interested, that it was my call. I said I’d go and meet him. I met Keith and he was very enthusiastic. He wants to play for the club and wants to come in and do well,” the Town boss told ExtraTime.ie.
Gillespie, who is 36 years old, brings with him a wealth of experience at both club and international level. The Town boss feels his presence at the club will help the younger players. He said, “My feeling on it is he will help the younger players. He has been there and played at the highest level. It will give players in the dressing-room a lift. Hopefully it works out. If it does it’ll be a great signing for the club.”
Cousins admitted that his players are delighted with their new team-mate. They will meet and train with him on Sunday. He hopes the move will work out for everyone. “The players are delighted with it. At the end of the day, it’s a named player. It gives the club a profile and they got a good bit of publicity during the week. The most important thing is how it works out in the long-term. Hopefully Keith performs on the pitch for us. If that works out, then no doubt he’ll be a big plus. He gives you quality on the ball,” Cousins said.
Although he’s pleased to be able to call upon a player like Gillespie the main concern for Cousins is the club as a whole. He is trying to develop young players and hopes to continue that this season. He said, “Most of our players are U21 and Keith will help them. I’m interested in the whole club. Three U18s made their debut in the Leinster Senior Cup last week and that gave me as much pleasure as Keith Gillespie coming in. I’m interested in all the young players and the older ones; see what they can give us as well.”
