Gary Haveron appointed permanent First Team Manager ✍️🔴

WE are delighted to announce Gary Haveron has been appointed as the club’s new senior men’s manager, on a three-year contract.

The Larne native has been the club’s interim boss since August, earning the NIFWA Manager of the Month award for September, having guided the Invermen to five straight victories without conceding a goal.

Gary was originally appointed as the club’s fjrst full-time Academy Director in June 2019, before moving into the role of first team coach under then boss Tiernan Lynch.

In more recent times, he assumed the role of manager in the second half of last season, during which time the club recorded a memorable UEFA Conference League phase win over Belgian giants Gent, before going on to clinch a second place finish in the Sports Direct Premiership, securing European football once more.

The 44-year-old has now been handed the reins on a full-time basis, with the club’s football consultant Alex Black delighted to officially welcome him into the role.

“It’s fantastic news for the football club and fantastic news for Gary,” Alex said.

“Gary is a great guy and very good at his job. He’s a great motivator, he has a lot of knowledge and we’re really proud to get him on board.

“Gary has done an awful lot for this football club. When someone was needed to step up, Gary was never going to shy away from that.

“He knows the players inside out, he knows the players inside out and he knows the league inside out.”

Ahead of leading the team to Solitude on Saturday, to take on Cliftonville in the Sports Direct Premiership, Gary has spoken of his pride in taking on the role on a permanent basis.

“I’m very proud and honoured to be asked to take this on,” he said.

“It’s a club which is obviously very close to my heart. I feel now is the time to take the step up and take this role on.

“I have a great faith in the people we have at this club and ultimately football always will be about the players and I have great faith in these players.

“When I look at the players I have real belief that they will allow us to continue to compete for honours across the Irish League.

“The full-time model has been brilliant to be involved in and the facilities we have here, as well as the people, is geared towards continuing to make this a success.”

As part of the appointment, Gary has promoted Mick O’Boyle to the role of assistant manager while Jeff Hughes, Alan Mannus, Keith O’Hara and Mark Campbell will continue in their roles, alongside team attendant Martin Bird.

“We have been incredibly blessed to have a great backroom staff here,” Gary added.

“Mick has been instrumental at the club for a long time now. He will always be open and honest with.

“He will challenge me and doesn’t sugarcoat things and that’s what a manager needs.

“He is also very close with the players and has a very strong relationship already established there, so we’re delighted to have him in this role.”

We will have extended interviews with Alex, Gary and Mick on our social media platforms in the coming days.