CHRIS CHAMBERS TO LEAVE GLENAVON 4z4z23

Glenavon Reserves manager Chris Chambers will leave his post at the end of the present season. 3m2a16

The Markethill man, an “A” Licence coach, has been a stalwart of the Academy for the past twelve years. He ed the club when all-age youth development at Mourneview Park was in its infancy and has since coached at every level. He has also been Head of Phase and Head of Academy.

In September 2023 he and Gary McAllister took charge of the first team for two Premiership fixtures.

“It has been a very difficult decision, but it is something which has been in my mind for some time,” said Chris. “It is an ich which I feel that I have to scratch.”

“I have had offers over the years to go elsewhere and I have turned them all down,” he explained. “I have been a Glenavon er since childhood and have so much respect for my colleagues in the Academy and so much pride in what we have achieved and are continuing to achieve, that I couldn’t leave. But I feel that I need a rest. I live 40 minutes away from the club and am sometimes there four times a week. I want to spend some time with my family and then, perhaps, if a door opens, I want to see if I can take the skills which I have acquired working predominantly with teenagers and apply them in a new environment.”

In the last couple of years Chris has seen a raft of Under-18s and Under-20s progress to the first team squad. The list includes Chris Atherton, Matthew Allen, Calum Hamilton, Kyron Wiseman-McGee, Luke McGerrigan and Ben Wilson. “We work hard to prepare players for senior football,” he said. “That process starts when they become teenagers and continues year on year as they grow and mature. Some, like Chris Atherton, are stand out players from a very young age. Others, perhaps like Luke McGerrigan, take a bit longer. But our aim is to get them to a place where, if the opportunity comes to train with the first team, they are as ready as it is possible for them to be. Then we hand them over to Paddy, Colin and Marty and see what happens. To the credit of the lads who have made that transition, they have all done extremely well. That is an indication of the depth of talent in the Academy and the efficacy of the methods we use.”

Present Academy Manager, Jeff Magee, was fulsome in his praise of his departing colleague. “Chris, together with Gary Hamilton and one or two others are the foundation stones on which everything has been built,” he said. “His ability as a coach is beyond question. But apart from that he has given everything in all the roles he has filled, even to the detriment of his family. He loves the club and loves the young players he works with. He leaves a great legacy. We wish him well.”

Chris, although leaving, will continue to watch the young players he has helped to nurture make their way at Glenavon. He has also not ruled out a return. “I will not be ing another youth development programme, that’s for sure,” he added. “If my plans don’t work out and there is an opportunity to help again at Glenavon, I hope to return.”