Ferguson delight as four sign new United deals

Defenders Tony Kane and Johnny Taylor have each signed two-year deals, as have homegrown teenage strikers Jamie Davidson and Neil Lowry.

Taylor currently remains a Glentoran player – he is on loan at the Showgrounds until the end of the season – but he has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Ballymena when his contract expires at the Oval in the summer.

“Johnny has been excellent since joining us on loan and I’m very pleased that Tony has re-signed as well.

“We have also signed Neil and Jamie on their first professional contracts.

“They’re delighted and so are we because I think the two of them have great potential. They are two of the best young ones in the country at the minute.

“I’ve always said if a player is good enough, they’re old enough.

“With a bit more work with me, as a former striker, in pre-season, hopefully I can share a bit of my knowledge with them and they can pick up a few ideas.”

Ferguson admits he is eager to hit the ground running in rebuilding his squad when the current campaign finishes, having been restricted by wage restraints in the January transfer window, when Taylor as the only arrival.

“When a manager comes in, his hands are tied for a period of time but we are now trying identify players we want to sign who will strengthen the squad.

“Hopefully we will do that over the next few weeks and months. I have a contract here for another two years and I want to have a bit of continuity with players who are going to be here with me.”

United have sent out letters declaring their intention to speak to a number of players currently coming to the end of their contracts at other clubs, while Ferguson has named Lisburn Distillery midfielder – who scored the Whites’ second goal in last weekend’s 2-2 draw between the clubs – as one of his targets.

“I have sent out four letters – two to Linfield and two to Distillery.

“One of those is Gary Thompson who was a youngster at Linfield when I was there and who was at Distillery when I was there and who I think has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the league.

“Distillery have received the letter and I have spoken to Gary and John Cunningham knows that.

“We will need to target a striker as well with Gary McCutcheon going to Crusaders.”

Ferguson has also spoken of his relief at United successfully arguing midfielder Alan Davidson’s eligibility to play in the JJB Sports Irish Cup. At the time of going to press, it had not been determined whether Newry City are to appeal the decision.

“To find out at nine o’clock last Saturday night that we might not be in the semi-final was a bit gut-wrenching - so much so that I didn’t even eat my dinner and went to bed at half 10!

“Once we got speaking to Nigel McIlrath and he got speaking to the barrister we were fairly confident going into the meeting that we had a very strong case that Alan was eligible.

“I said as far back as the Distillery game, every time you win in the cup it prolongs your season – you have players playing for their places and it extends your season to a certain extent.

“Between now and the semi-final we will work very, very hard and try to give a good performance,” added Ferguson.

Before then, however, United have two more games before the ‘split’ in the Carling Premiership, the first of them this Saturday when they entertain Dungannon Swifts (3pm).

* Despite the uncertainty over the Irish Cup semi-final situation, United supporters’ groups have begun to make preparations. Anyone wishing to travel on Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport to the semi-final on March 31 should contact Uel Allen (2564 2903) or Tommy Patterson as soon as possible to obtain a ticket which will be used to determine numbers of buses required. This also applies to Seven Towers club members.