Ballyclare Comrades boss Stephen Small 'in a better place' to deal with management

New Ballyclare boss Stephen Small believes he is a better senior manager now than a decade ago when he led Carrick to the Championship title.

The former Cliftonville defender secured promotion to the top-flight for Carrick in 2011 but has not been involved in senior management for the 10 years since.

Small, who has completed a Masters in sports coaching and performance alongside a portfolio of experience in development football, was appointed as Comrades boss last month to replace Paul Harbinson at Dixon Park.

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“At that time, I had just finished my coaching badges after hanging up my boots and I was a customer relationship manager in a bank – but since that I have gone full-time in football,” Small told Match on Tuesday.

“In that decade, I started coaching as my proper job and got my pro license – so I’m coaching all the time and lecturing a little bit too, so I have been immersed in.

“The only thing that was missing from that was results-driven football in senior football that youth development – as rewarding as it is – does not have.

“Trying to build a winning team and put that group of players together is the most challenging aspect of football and that is why I chose to come back into the game.

“There are no guarantees of success from this role but I wanted to do something practical with the experience and background I have.”

Small believes that – with Ballyclare’s place in the second tier secured for next season – that his six weeks in the role at the end of this season will prove beneficial to prepare for the 2022/23 campaign.

“The players have been unbelievable and they are really open to being coached,” he added.