THERE’S a new addition to the Ards dugout.
Manager John Bailie moved earlier this week to add former player and much-decorated Irish League veteran Raymond Campbell to his backroom staff, with the 55 year-old due to take his place on the bench for this weekend’s game at Knockbreda.
‘Soupy’, as he is known, brings a wealth of experience to the Championship strugglers and can count Linfield, Glentoran and Dundalk among his former clubs, a playing career which began as a teenager when he signed for Nottingham Forest by the legendary Brian Clough.
Campbell’s Ards debut came against Crusaders in a 2-2 draw on August 10, 2002. The midfielder went on to make 105 appearances in red and blue, scoring six goals. He won the club Player of the Year award in 2003/04 and acted as interim manager, along with John Bailie and Charlie Murphy, for two games at the end of the 2005/06 season when Shane Reddish left the club.
Remarking on Campbell’s arrival, Ards chairman Warren Patton said: “As a former player Raymond is someone that knows the club well and will bring a different voice in the changing room. He has watched a number of our recent games and has been liaising with John [Bailie]. Raymond will be joining as first team coach with immediate effect alongside Daryl Phillips and Paul Kee.”
FULL REPORT AND PICS ON ARDS TRIP TO KNOCKBREDA IN NEXT WEEK’S CHRONICLE