'Huge opportunity': Michael Funston appointed as Bonagee United manager

Michael Funston is well aware of the responsibilities of his new role.

Funston has been unveiled as the new manager of the Bonagee United senior men’s team.

The 39-year old has been installed at Dry Arch Park following the departure of Packie Mailey last week.

“It’s a huge honour that the club has asked me to take the job,” he said.

A son of the club president Eric Funston, has been a part of the fabric at Bonagee United since his formative years. Indeed, his initials - and those of his brother Stephen - are etched into the concrete in the stand at Dry Arch Park.

He said: “It’s the club I grew up at. It’s not lost on me that my local club has asked me to manage it. 

“It’s a huge opportunity for me. My father is the club president and one of the founder members so I know what the expectations are and the responsibility is. It was a big decision with a young family, but it’s a decision that I am delighted to make.”

Funston played 335 times and scored 32 goals for Finn Harps having been signed by Noel King in 2004. He returned to Bonagee United in 2017.

Last September, a cruciate knee ligament injury ended his playing career. Having scored the match winner in the season opener against Fanad United, he remained as part of the management team of Mailey, a former team-mate at Harps and Bonagee.

Funston said: “I felt I had the hunger to step into the job. I feel that we have a super squad and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. That has given me a desire to be successful with them. I can’t wait to get started and to represent the club.”

During his recent stint at Bonagee United as a player, Funston won two Knockalla Caravans Senior Cups, three Ulster Senior League Cups and a North West of Ulster Intermediate Cup under the management of Jason Gibson.

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Bonagee United Chairman Niall Callaghan said: “We are delighted that Michael Funston has accepted the role as our new senior team manager. Michael is one of our own and knows the club inside-out. He has always been a proud Bonagee United man and will need no introduction to the club or its workings.

“The club felt that it was important to make a swift appointment after Packie left and Michael was the first name on the list. Bonagee United wish Michael Funston and his backroom team, which will be confirmed shortly, best wishes and every success in the role.”