Portadown boss Paul Doolin makes drop zone vow after agreeing permanent contract

Portadown boss Paul Doolin has vowed to aim high in the Danske Bank Premiership after agreeing a deal to become the Shamrock Park club’s new permanent manager.

The Dubliner, who was appointed interim boss following Matthew Tipton’s departure in January, kept the Mid Ulster giants in the top flight via the play-offs.

And the 59-year-old, who has signed a two year contract, is determined the Ports aren't staring at a relegation dogfight next time out.

He said: “I’m delighted to be asked to stay as Portadown Head Coach for two more years and I'm looking forward to helping the club move forward with the rest of the staff.

“It was great for the club and supporters, who are the fabric of any club, that we stayed in the Premiership but we want to push up the table now instead of fighting a relegation battle.”

Portadown chairman David Jameson believes Doolin is the perfect man to help the club progress in the coming seasons.

He said: “Paul has been fantastic to work with and I’m sure everyone at the club will be pleased that he has committed to stay with us until 2024.

“Paul, along with his coaching team, have been integral in achieving our shared target of Premiership survival this season when he took over the reins in January.

“We want to continue to take Portadown football club forward, see how far we can progress and we believe Paul Doolin is the man who can take us there.”

Doolin, who won a league title, Irish Cup, Ulster Cup and two Budweiser Cups with the Ports as a player, took control of the club in a caretaker capacity at the end of January.

He failed to ease the Shamrock Reds out of the relegation dropzone, but secured an 11th place finish and a spot in the relegation, promotion play-off.

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