Irvinestown Wanderers’ new Manager, Darren Higginbotham, has vowed to take things one game at a time as he plots Wanderers’ return to the top flight.

The former Ballinamallard Reserves Manager spent the end of last season as a coach with Mulhern Cup-winning Enniskillen Rangers, but he has opted to return to a management role for the upcoming season.

“I was delighted to get the job,” he admitted. “For me, growing up, Irvinestown were one of the cornerstone clubs of the Fermanagh and Western. I see it as a massive club in local circles.

“Obviously, things haven’t gone to plan with relegation last season but we need to respond now. I met the players last week and they are enthusiastic, and as a coach it is always good to work with enthusiastic players.

“We are starting pre-season next week and I am very much looking forward to getting going.”

Wanderers’ supporters will be yearning for a return to Division One after a tough 2021/22 season, but the new boss has vowed not to look too far ahead as they start their campaign in the second division.

“The only remit I set the players is ‘win the next game’,” he said.

“I always stood by that in my playing days because if you start looking too far ahead, you forget about what is in front of you. The only target I set the players is to win the next game, and that is the mantra we will live by this season.

“It’s a tough division,” he continued.

“There are only 16 league games, so you don’t have room for any poor results. It’s important we hit the ground running, and for each of the 16 games we have to be ready for the challenge in front of us.

“It’s important we treat this league with respect and we take every game as it comes. Our mantra for the season will be to win the next game, and we will be going to be competitive in every game. It’s vitally important that we start the season well and maintain that form throughout the season.”

Irvinestown only managed three wins from 26 games last season and found themselves cut adrift at the foot of the table, eventually finishing 15 points away from survival, so Darren knows they will have to deliver a dramatic turnaround if they are to compete successfully in the upcoming campaign.

Several members of last season’s squad have already moved on, but the Manager is keen to challenge the remaining players to prove they are up to the challenge.

“First and foremost, I think it is only fair if you give the existing players a shot,” he said. “It is a new manager and a clean slate, and it is important to give these guys an opportunity.

“Through pre-season, that is what we will be doing. I will be getting to know the guys and seeing who wants to be up for the fight and who wants to get Irvinestown back up into the top division.

“There have been players leaving, and the squad is different to what it was last year, and like every squad we will be looking to make additions as well. We will add a few faces hopefully to the group, which I think is essential.

“We were relegated last season, so a few new faces will be key to keeping the spirits high among the lads and adding that little bit of competition to the group. If players become available we will be looking at them, but first and foremost it’s important the guys have an opportunity to right what went wrong.”