WATCH: 'I have young players who are hungry - who have an insatiable appetite to win' - DJ spells out secret of Ballymena success this season
Plus Mark Sykes talks about possible January move - BetMcLean Facebook Football show
Ballymena boss David Jeffrey has revealed the secret of his side’s success this season.
The Sky Blues sit second in the Danske Bank Premiership table and could go top with a win at Newry tomorrow night.
In an exclusive interview with Cool FM, the Irish League legend is not getting carried away with any talk of a possible title which he is says is premature – and, indeed, banned from the dressing room.
Speaking on our first live BetMcLean Facebook football show, in partnership with NIFL (see below) Jeffrey said their good run is down to one particular type of young player who is hungry for success.
“Young boys who are hungry who maybe who weren’t regulars and who wanted that opportunity,” he told us.
“And from we brought Cathair Friel. From we got Jude Winchester – I could name all the other players coming in.
“They want to be part of something – they also share the vision.
“We know where we want to get to and they want to be part of a successful team.
“But honestly I can’t emphasise enough what a great bunch of young men they are.
“There is a growing maturity, the players have an increasing resolve, a resilience and now we are looking for a sustainability.
“And all of that has got to be fuelled by an insatiable appetite to succeed.”
Jeffrey was guesting along with one of the biggest young stars of the local game – Glenavon’s mark Sykes.
The 21-year-old who has been compared to other young Irish League stars who left for full-time football in England, including former Linfield striker star Paul Smyth (now with QPR) and ex-Crusaders midfielder, Gavin Whyte (Oxford United), says he is very much his own man.
But he revealed that like both Smyth and Whyte his dream is to play across the water.
And he was hoping this could happen as early as the New Year.
“I would obviously love to get away as much as Glenavon is really a challenge at the minute and we are doing quite well,” he told us.
“If there was an opportunity to come up in January obviously I would be delighted to go then.
“Hopefully, as much as I would like to stay and help Glenavon out, at the end of the day I need to make a career and do as good as I can.”
Our show is available to view on Cool FM's Facebook page (see below) plus to download as a podcast.