'We have always upset the odds' - Newry City boss Mullen looks ahead to new season in the top-flight
Manager believes they'll cause a few surprises in the Premiership
It’s only been a few short weeks since the end of this year’s Danske Bank Premiership – but DARREN MULLEN, manager of new boys, Newry City, is already in the full throes of planning for the season ahead.NIGEL GOULD caught up with him at the Showgrounds.
Darren Mullen is a man with a mission...
After leading his Newry City side to promotion to the Irish League’s top-flight earlier in the month, he is now setting his sights on mixing it with the big boys.
And for local boy Mullen, having already seen four promotions in five seasons, that does not mean simply survival.
“What I don’t want to do is to go in and have any regrets,” he told Downtown & Cool FM.
“Obviously we won’t be maybe as cavalier as we’ve been this past four or five years but we still want to play good football.
“Being honest I suppose immediately you have to go in and stay in it – that’s the reality of it and obviously we will be most people’s favourites for going down.
“That does not bother me – nobody expected us to go up straightaway two years ago – nobody expected us to go up straightaway this year – so we have always upset the odds if you like.
“We look forward to it – as a manager I will be tested – the players will be tested but only by testing yourselves against better opposition will you become better.”
Mullen has already begun the process of strengthening his squad for the rigours of a long and arduous Premiership season.
His first new signings are Stephen Teggart (Banbridge Town) and Dale Montgomery (Loughgall).
Off the field, a new club-house and 4g pitch are on the cards.
The city has already bought into the ‘project’ with blue and white check flags adorning lamp-posts throughout.
Mullen said they were well suited for the Premiership.
“The club is set up for Premiership football,” he said.
“I know we have been on a journey – no disrespect to mid-Ulster football, it is not as if some random mid-Ulster club has landed in the Premiership.
“We were delighted to be playing mid-Ulster football at the time but the facilities at the club – the way the coaching staff has been set up.
“From the very first day we have tried to be as professional as possible.