Newry City confirm Barry Gray as the new first team manager

Newry City AFC have confirmed this evening that Barry Gray has been appointed as the new first team manager, following Gary Boyle’s resignation on Boxing Day.

The Newry management position had been vacated since Boyle stepped away on Boxing Day, and Gray – who all but confirmed that the move was on the cards when he stepped away from his role as Warrenpoint Town boss on Monday evening - has been selected as the man to try and guide Newry to Premiership safety.

Gray will undoubtedly have an uphill battle to keep the club in the top flight, as they are on a 13-game winless run, and sit six points behind eleventh-placed Ballymena United. Newry’s two most recent fixtures saw them lose 4-0 at home to Glenavon on Boxing Day and 5-0 away to Dungannon Swifts last Saturday, and they will be hoping that Gray will be able to galvanise a team which is low on confidence.

However, with the January transfer window now open, Gray may be hoping to conduct some business which can turn the team’s fortunes around.

Newry City released a statement this evening confirming the appointment which read:

Newry City Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Barry Gray as first team manager on a long term deal.

Selected following a competitive recruitment process, Barry returns to the club having previously worked with our underage teams and brings a wealth of experience, having managed at the top level with both Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town.

Speaking to the club media team Barry Gray commented:

“It’s great to get things finalised and the formalities over. We have a tough challenge ahead and I am under no illusions how tough it is to get off the bottom of the table in such a competitive league.

“I am looking forward to getting in and working with the players, a lot of them I have worked with before or I am familiar with already.

“My job is to try and secure Newry’s premiership status with whatever it takes to do so. The players no doubt are a little low on confidence at the minute and struggling for form, but this is an opportunity for everyone to reset and focus on a fresh start.

“We have a lot to do in the coming weeks and months, we will prioritise the most appropriate games and concentrate on raising standards and performance levels.

“We have good players here and performances may have been lower than expected but now is the time to stand up and be counted. We will get to work right away and hopefully see performance levels and results improve quickly.”

Club Chairman, Martin McLoughlin added:

“Firstly let me give a warm welcome to Barry Gray.

“Barry comes to us at a time when we need someone to lead us out of the difficult spell we have been going through and someone who can restore the confidence that has been lacking of late within our squad.

“With almost 20 years coaching experience at the highest level with spells at Cliftonville and our neighbours Warrenpoint Town, he has earned much respect and built up a network of very valuable contacts. Barry is a Newry man by birth and we feel that he is exactly what we need to help us retain our premiership status.

“I would like to thank Gary Boyle for his efforts and commitment throughout his seven years at the club and in particular over the past seven months.

“We are under no illusions about the task ahead and the dedication and efforts needed, but having spoken to Barry at length, we believe he has the passion and the drive to give us a fighting chance.

“We hope all at The Showgrounds get behind Barry and his team.

“Welcome home Barry.”

Warrenpoint pay tribute to Gray

Warrenpoint Town released a statement on Monday evening thanking Gray for his services during his time as boss at Milltown.

“The Management Board has accepted the resignation of First Team Manager, Barry Gray.

“We thank Barry for his commitment in this second stint as first team manager.

“The impact of being denied our place in the Premiership Play-off, based on sporting merit, earlier this year has changed the strategic focus of the club and led to a more realistic and time bound approach to building the club back to where we belong.

“In a stepped approach, we remain focused on securing promotion from PIL to Championship. This remains our sole objective this season.

“We wish Barry well on his next appointment as manager. The club will announce further first team details in due course.”

Gray leaves Warrenpoint one point off top spot in the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League following a 2-2 draw with Armagh City.

Both clubs are gearing up for their respective Clearer Water IFA Irish Cup Fifth Round clashes this weekend, as Newry host Ballinamallard United, whilst Warrenpoint travel to Windsor Park to take on Irish League giants Linfield (both games kick off at 3pm on Saturday).