Ards appoint former Portadown boss Matthew Tipton as new first team manager

Matthew Tipton has made a quickfire return to an Irish League dugout just 14 days after parting company with Portadown.

The 41-year-old, who left the Shamrock Park post on January 23, has been confirmed as new manager of Championship club Ards.

Tipton succeeds former boss John Bailie who left Ards after the North Down club's recent 2-1 defeat to basement club Queen’s University at The Dub.

A number of other candidates had been linked with the job, including former Rangers striker Nacho Novo who spent a short spell with Glentoran in 2016/17.

But Ards, who lie seventh in the second tier, believe they have made a "top class" appointment in Tipton who also managed Warrenpoint Town, winning the Championship with the Milltown club in 2017.

In a statement on the club website, Ards chairman Warren Patton said: “We’re excited to see what Matthew can do with our squad, and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“We believe we have made a top class appointment."

Tipton’s first game in charge will be Tuesday night’s trip to face Loughgall at Lakeview Park.