Ballinamallard United manager Harry McConkey is continuing to piece together his squad for the forthcoming season with a number of players having agreed terms at the Ferney Park club over the last week.
There are also a couple of players who have confirmed that they will be leaving with Colm McLoughlin unable to commit due to work commitments while captain James McKenna has confirmed that he will retire.
McConkey though has moved quickly to name a new captain with Richard Clarke taking over the armband after he agreed a new deal at the club.
“I have agreed terms with Richard Clarke and it is a great boost for the club as Glentoran and Institute had both been keen to capture the players signature and have held talks with him over the past three weeks. 
“Richard is a great professional on and off the pitch and I know he will play a big part in helping to guide and support the young players in our squad but ultimately I want him to continue to express himself on the pitch and enjoy his football just as he did at the end of last season. He proved in my eight games he is still a Premiership player in quality and so we must use his qualities to the maximum in our team next season. He will be my new captain and cultural architect now that James McKenna has retired,” said McConkey.
On McKenna’s decision to call it a day, McConkey added: “”James has been a wonderful servant to Ballinamallard and can be proud of the distinguished career he has enjoyed. He can be proud of what he has achieved personally and as part of a team, but we must now respect his decision and wish him good fortune for the future.”
The Mallards boss, having already signed Duwayne McManus and Warner Mullen, has also completed the signings of Dergview pair Ryan Campbell and Aaron Arkinson and feels both will be great additions for the new season.
“I have had Rocket under me so many times. I had him on loan from Linfield in 2005, I managed him at Dergview and had him in my Umbro international team that won the Umbro Cup in 2017. He is a lad that I have a lot of time for in terms of his commitment for the game, he gives you everything and he scores goals which is a precious commodity,” he said.
“Aaron has always been an exciting young player, he is a diminutive winger who can play right or left side or play in behind and is technically very gifted. I think he is a young lad who can become a favourite at Ferney. I always felt that Aaron is a player who for one reason or another has not fulfilled his true potential and my job now is to give him very opportunity to do just that. That should excite us both,” he added
Former Institute midfielder and more recently Strabane captain Gary Henderson will be another new face at Ferney Park having also agreed terms with Ballinamallard.
“I wish to express my thanks to Eamon Curry who gave me permission to speak to Gary and then kept me informed throughout our negotiations. Gary is another important part of our jigsaw and I’m delighted he has agreed terms. He has played for Loughgall and Institute and I had him in the 2013 Umbro international team as well. He can play several positions but holding midfield is probably his best role and he is a quality player and there is no doubt that he has talent,” said McConkey.
McConkey is also working on re-signing a number of last season’s squad and Jason McCartney is the latest to have committed to next season.
“Jay has re-signed and he is a player for me both on and off the pitch who is a very positive influence around the club and his experience will also be of great benefit to the younger players. He is looking forward to getting a real good run in pre-season and starting the season with a bang.”
Meanwhile the manager has also held positive discussions with centre half Matty Smyth about staying on at the club.
“I’ve had very positive talks with Matty and he wants to start pre-season with us on Monday June 25 when  he comes back from holiday. We will talk further then. He is a young ambitious player who naturally wants to keep his options open and I respect that.”
The Mallards boss held a get to know you night last Wednesday for staff and players ahead of pre-season commencing on June 25.