Quinn goes for Glenavon challenge

Marty Quinn, a stalwart of Northern Irish club management, has taken on the task of keeping Glenavon FC in the IFA Premier League after opting to depart financially-stricken Bangor FC following their decision to leave the top flight.

Bangor decision
Bangor, who appointed Quinn after promotion in the summer, announced on 1 February that their tenure in the top flight would last only one season. A club statement read: "The chairman and directors of Bangor Football Club regret to announce that the club will not be in a position to renew its Domestic License – a requirement to play in the IFA Premiership in season 2009/10. This is primarily due to financial difficulties experienced as a result of the current economic climate resulting in a lack of sponsorship, poor attendances and spiralling costs."

Quinn move
In the circumstances, it was understandable that Quinn decided to leave Bangor, even though his new charges, Glenavon, are actually at the bottom of the Premier League table and if they stay there will face an end-of-season play-off to stay in the division. Quinn is now the tenth manager in the last eleven years, although Colin Malone did have two spells in charge of his hometown club.

Investment
Part of the problem, ironically, is that Glenavon's Mourneview Park is one of the best stadiums in Northern Ireland, arguably the most modern of all. Glenavon have consistently invested money in their facilities ahead of their team, unlike some rivals who aim for playing success first and foremost. However, despite going where so many managers have failed – or been deemed failures – Quinn believes he has made the right move.

'Challenge'
Firstly, on leaving Bangor, he declared: "Obviously I didn't want to see out the rest of the season with a club that was going nowhere." As for the task at Glenavon, he conceded: "I have a challenge on my hands with trying to keep Glenavon up." The attrition rate for managers at Mourneview Park did not discourage him, though, with Quinn pointing to his three-and-a-half year contract: "They've had a lot of managers over the last few years but the contract they've given me tells me that they have enough belief in me."

Honours
Certainly Quinn has demonstrated his ability to improve clubs, having guided Cliftonville FC to the league title in 1998 and then Coleraine FC to Northern Irish Cup glory in 2003. After surprisingly leaving Coleraine last May, this term he has led unfancied Bangor to mid-table a season after promotion. But it might be an even bigger challenge keeping Glenavon from joining his previous club in leaving the Premier League.