Hutton unveiled as new Harps manager
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Former Derry City stalwart Peter Hutton is the new manager of Finn Harps having beaten off a number of potential suitors to the vacancy left following James Gallagher’s sacking the week before last.
Thirty-eight-year-old Hutton had been on Cliftonville’s books but will be joined in Ballybofey by Felix Healy, who will act as director of football, while current Harps A team boss Paddy Foy will fulfil the role of Hutton’s number two.
Hutton, who has managed Derry City on a temporary basis on two occasions, is looking forward to the challenge of moving the north-westerners up the Airtricity League Division One table after a poor start to the season that has seen just three points rendered from eight games. Harps welcome Wexford Youths on Friday night.
Although he never played with the club, Hutton has strong links to Finn Harps. His father, Peter Snr, played 228 games for the club during it’s first decade in the League of Ireland, and was a member of the 1974 FAI Cup winning team.
“As everyone knows, I have a special family connection with Finn Harps FC so it’s great for me to be starting my management career at Finn Park,” Hutton said on Tuesday night. “Myself and Felix are aware there is a lot of work to be done but with the support of both the playing staff and the supporters, I think we can achieve great things.”
Healy is a former player and manager with the club. He played the first seven games for Harps during the 1978/79 season, including both legs of the Uefa Cup first round fixture against Everton, before leaving Finn Park to sign for Port Vale. Healy returned to Finn Park in 2004 after Noel King’s resignation as manager and led Harps to the First Division title in his first season in charge. Following an indifferent start to life in the Premier Division, he was promptly sacked in July 2005.
“To say I am relishing this new challenge would be an understatement,” Healy said. “I have always felt that Finn Harps is a club that has huge potential and we saw that with the large attendances at Finn Park during the run in to our First Division title success in 2004. Myself and Peter are now looking forward to working with the first team squad and our first game against Wexford Youths on Friday night.”
Gallagher lost his job following an uneasy start to the season and club chairman Joey O’Leary interviewed as many as eight interested candidates for the position of manager last week. Although unwilling to share the identity of those parties, former Harps and Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely was said to be one, as was current Ulster Senior League champions’ manager Donal O’Brien. Joe Boyle, a well-qualified FAI Development Officer for schools and colleges, was also said to have interviewed well.
There was also said to be “a high profile candidate from Scotland,” which the rumour mill claimed might have been either former Sligo Rovers manager Willie McStay or even as some suggested, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner, who is a native of Burtonport in west Donegal. Striker Kevin McHugh filled in as caretaker manager last week in the 1-0 loss against Shelbourne and also took the first-team squad for training on Bank Holiday Monday.
O’Leary gradually whittled down the applicants and after the board met to discuss the options available on Sunday night, decided to leave the decision until Tuesday. The chairman insists that he and his fellow board members are determined to stimulate the club.
"I'm sure that news of Felix and Peter's appointments as our new management team will receive a very positive reaction from our supporters,” he said. “Both men are big names in Irish football who will bring with a wealth of experience and knowledge to Finn Harps FC.”
“The board is determined to re-energise the club as a whole. The potential of our squad must be realised and the loyal dedication of our fans and supporters is vital to restore belief and help us to achieve the success we deserve. I am asking everyone to come along on Friday night and be part of building a new future for the club.”
Thirty-eight-year-old Hutton had been on Cliftonville’s books but will be joined in Ballybofey by Felix Healy, who will act as director of football, while current Harps A team boss Paddy Foy will fulfil the role of Hutton’s number two.
Hutton, who has managed Derry City on a temporary basis on two occasions, is looking forward to the challenge of moving the north-westerners up the Airtricity League Division One table after a poor start to the season that has seen just three points rendered from eight games. Harps welcome Wexford Youths on Friday night.
Although he never played with the club, Hutton has strong links to Finn Harps. His father, Peter Snr, played 228 games for the club during it’s first decade in the League of Ireland, and was a member of the 1974 FAI Cup winning team.
“As everyone knows, I have a special family connection with Finn Harps FC so it’s great for me to be starting my management career at Finn Park,” Hutton said on Tuesday night. “Myself and Felix are aware there is a lot of work to be done but with the support of both the playing staff and the supporters, I think we can achieve great things.”
Healy is a former player and manager with the club. He played the first seven games for Harps during the 1978/79 season, including both legs of the Uefa Cup first round fixture against Everton, before leaving Finn Park to sign for Port Vale. Healy returned to Finn Park in 2004 after Noel King’s resignation as manager and led Harps to the First Division title in his first season in charge. Following an indifferent start to life in the Premier Division, he was promptly sacked in July 2005.
“To say I am relishing this new challenge would be an understatement,” Healy said. “I have always felt that Finn Harps is a club that has huge potential and we saw that with the large attendances at Finn Park during the run in to our First Division title success in 2004. Myself and Peter are now looking forward to working with the first team squad and our first game against Wexford Youths on Friday night.”
Gallagher lost his job following an uneasy start to the season and club chairman Joey O’Leary interviewed as many as eight interested candidates for the position of manager last week. Although unwilling to share the identity of those parties, former Harps and Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely was said to be one, as was current Ulster Senior League champions’ manager Donal O’Brien. Joe Boyle, a well-qualified FAI Development Officer for schools and colleges, was also said to have interviewed well.
There was also said to be “a high profile candidate from Scotland,” which the rumour mill claimed might have been either former Sligo Rovers manager Willie McStay or even as some suggested, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner, who is a native of Burtonport in west Donegal. Striker Kevin McHugh filled in as caretaker manager last week in the 1-0 loss against Shelbourne and also took the first-team squad for training on Bank Holiday Monday.
O’Leary gradually whittled down the applicants and after the board met to discuss the options available on Sunday night, decided to leave the decision until Tuesday. The chairman insists that he and his fellow board members are determined to stimulate the club.
"I'm sure that news of Felix and Peter's appointments as our new management team will receive a very positive reaction from our supporters,” he said. “Both men are big names in Irish football who will bring with a wealth of experience and knowledge to Finn Harps FC.”
“The board is determined to re-energise the club as a whole. The potential of our squad must be realised and the loyal dedication of our fans and supporters is vital to restore belief and help us to achieve the success we deserve. I am asking everyone to come along on Friday night and be part of building a new future for the club.”
