Ballinamallard manager Harry McConkey has moved to bring Steve Feeney back to the club as he has confirmed his backroom team ahead of the club’s return to the Championship next season.
Feeney is a former player and coach at the club but left when Gavin Dykes stepped down towards the end of the season.
McConkey though was keen for Feeney to come back on board and he will join Craig Lynch in his management team for the new season.
“I went to Sligo to meet Steve and he is happy to come back,” said McConkey. “He has a great fondness for the club through his experiences there and that must say a great deal about the club. Steve is very keen to learn from myself and Craig but equally we are fully aware that we will be learning from Steve as well because we feel that he has a lot of great qualities and all the players and staff that I have spoken to about him have only positives to say.”
And McConkey stresses that part of their role will also be to impart their coaching knowledge to other coaches at the club.
“Looking to the future, I feel these two lads have a long term value to the club. They are both very good coaches already but they are keen to continue learning and they are very keen to share their qualities with other coaches and that is something that is very close to me. In general I would like to be able to help other coaches because ultimately that is going to help the young players at the club,” he commented.
McConkey also confirmed that Andy Crawford will remain next season albeit in a changed role.
“Andy Crawford will take up a role with player recruitment and opposition analysis, one which won’t command the same commitment away from the family business. We’re delighted to have Andy staying involved and he is eager to help the club in whatever way he can,” he added.
With his management team sorted out it is now about putting a squad in place. 
The club confirmed last week that Richard Brush is to retire while Richard Clarke is keen to stay in the Premiership.
On player recruitment, a cagey McConkey was reluctant to talk about potential signing but does expect to be busy. 
“It has been a very busy week for me and I anticipate that the next three weeks will be hectic. I have also had a talk with half a dozen of the U20 players that I have identified as having real potential and I have spoken to them personally this week,” he stated.