Hutton & Healy ready for challenge
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The new Finn Harps management team of Peter Hutton and Felix Healy are determined to lift the club from its lowly status of second-bottom in the Airtricity League Division One.
The two Derry men were announced as the successors to James Gallagher on Tuesday night and were due to meet their playing squad for the first time last night in Ballybofey. Former Derry City stalwart Hutton is the new manager having beaten off a number of potential suitors to the vacancy. Thirty-eight-year-old Hutton had been on Cliftonville’s books but will be joined in Ballybofey by 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 Harps up the 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 during its first decade in senior football and was a member of the 1974 FAI Cup winning team.
“It’s a challenge but one we wouldn’t have taken on unless we thought we could do something about it,” Hutton said. “I have known Felix over since I made my football debut for Derry City 20 years ago. We spoke about the vacancy at Finn Harps and felt as a team we could contribute. Of course it’s a return to the old stomping ground for Felix as he has managed here before and the way I look at it, going into management and getting the opportunity to coach is natural progression for me. People ask who is going to make the final decisions but I can tell you Felix and I will be working together and will do the best for the club.”
Hutton revealed he will sign for Harps as a player once the transfer window opens in July. He is currently carrying an ankle medial ligament injury that he picked up playing for his former employers Cliftonville last month against Dundalk in the Setanta Sports Cup.
“The break from playing actually worked out well in a way as I have been playing since the start of the Irish League season last summer,” he added. “This will give me time to take stock of what is going on at Harps and familiarising myself with the players. From the outside looking in the problem at the minute seems to be a lack confidence and we hope to improve that.”
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 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.
“I considered the offer of returning to Finn Park as the chairman called me and asked me if I was interested,” Healy said. “After a number of conversations with him I decided to come back and give it my best shot. Peter is a person who I have known for years and we talked over the matter. When I was managing Derry City the first thing I did was make him captain and have always enjoyed working with him.
“I am aware of the plight Finn Harps are in but am aware of the good squad that is there. People say it’s similar to when I took over in 2004, but it’s not. That was an experienced squad with Declan Boyle, Shane Bradley, Paddy McGrenaghan, Tom Mohan and Kevin McHugh, while this is a younger group of players. We cannot wait to get into the football routine again and hopefully we can build a feel-good factor here.”
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.
The chairman said there was “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.”
The two Derry men were announced as the successors to James Gallagher on Tuesday night and were due to meet their playing squad for the first time last night in Ballybofey. Former Derry City stalwart Hutton is the new manager having beaten off a number of potential suitors to the vacancy. Thirty-eight-year-old Hutton had been on Cliftonville’s books but will be joined in Ballybofey by 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 Harps up the 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 during its first decade in senior football and was a member of the 1974 FAI Cup winning team.
“It’s a challenge but one we wouldn’t have taken on unless we thought we could do something about it,” Hutton said. “I have known Felix over since I made my football debut for Derry City 20 years ago. We spoke about the vacancy at Finn Harps and felt as a team we could contribute. Of course it’s a return to the old stomping ground for Felix as he has managed here before and the way I look at it, going into management and getting the opportunity to coach is natural progression for me. People ask who is going to make the final decisions but I can tell you Felix and I will be working together and will do the best for the club.”
Hutton revealed he will sign for Harps as a player once the transfer window opens in July. He is currently carrying an ankle medial ligament injury that he picked up playing for his former employers Cliftonville last month against Dundalk in the Setanta Sports Cup.
“The break from playing actually worked out well in a way as I have been playing since the start of the Irish League season last summer,” he added. “This will give me time to take stock of what is going on at Harps and familiarising myself with the players. From the outside looking in the problem at the minute seems to be a lack confidence and we hope to improve that.”
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 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.
“I considered the offer of returning to Finn Park as the chairman called me and asked me if I was interested,” Healy said. “After a number of conversations with him I decided to come back and give it my best shot. Peter is a person who I have known for years and we talked over the matter. When I was managing Derry City the first thing I did was make him captain and have always enjoyed working with him.
“I am aware of the plight Finn Harps are in but am aware of the good squad that is there. People say it’s similar to when I took over in 2004, but it’s not. That was an experienced squad with Declan Boyle, Shane Bradley, Paddy McGrenaghan, Tom Mohan and Kevin McHugh, while this is a younger group of players. We cannot wait to get into the football routine again and hopefully we can build a feel-good factor here.”
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.
The chairman said there was “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.”
