Finn Harps have announced that Dave Rogers has been named as their new first team manager, on a multi-year deal as he joins having been the Nottingham Forest U21 manager.
Rogers is a League of Ireland veteran having played up and down the country, winning three Premier Division Titles with Shelbourne.
The centre back hung up the boots back in 2012, to begin his career in coaching, involved with his native Liverpool in their academy, he has also coached in India, America and his last role saw him as manager of the Forest U21 side.
He has big shoes to fill since Ollie Horgan left the club, he will look to now get going as some key players have left the club in the off season.
In a Press Release this afternoon, Rogers told FinnHarps.ie:
“I’m delighted and excited to be appointed as the new Manager of Finn Harps FC on a full-time contract.
Once the board made initial contact I could sense and feel the passion and pride they have in taking the club forward both on and off the pitch and also to speak and deal with positive and realistic football people was a big factor.
The fact that I’m am signing a long-term contract and basing myself permanently in Donegal shows the ambition and vision and commitment of both myself and the Board of Directors to create a real culture and identity for Finn Harps FC and along with a thriving academy, continuing to implement an array of structures and foundations to enable short term gains and long term stability.
Ballybofey has always been a tough ground to play at and the fans and community have always displayed fantastic energy and support towards the players and staff so I’m proud to be tasked with delivering a brand and style of football that will engage and embrace those traits with enthusiasm and to play on the front foot.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Academy Director Gary Brazil, Warren Joyce and Andy Reid , The Players ,Staff and the Fans of Nottingham Forest FC who have taken me as one of there own these past 18 months and gave me an environment and platform to develop and progress as a coach and most of all as a human being, Thank you.”
Finn Harps Chairman Ian Harkin said:
“I’m delighted to have Dave on board. We were aware of his reputation as a coach having completed his Pro licence alongside people close to the club and we identified him as someone we wanted to speak to from the outset.
As a club the opportunity to go with a full time manager was too big an opportunity to miss, Dave has a huge experience in our league and in developing players in 3 different continents. He was a leader on the field and a huge one now off the field. He is a huge advocate for developing our own talent. It’s going to be an exciting journey, personally I can’t wait for the new season to start.”
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.