David Jeffrey reaffirms his commitment to Ballymena United

David Jeffrey says a line has now been drawn under his future at Ballymena United.
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The Sky Blues boss, who is the longest serving manager in the 94-year history of the Warden Street club, offered his resignation following the defeat to Carrick Rangers last month. But after speaking with the board and players Jeffrey, who was appointed to the post in March 2016, reaffirmed his commitment in continuing in the role.

Results has been hard to come by for United as they slipped to a sixth defeat in a row on Tuesday night as derby rivals Coleraine knocked them out of the League Cup.

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But Jeffrey says he will remain at the helm ‘until the club decide otherwise’.

"As far as I'm concerned the line has been very firmly drawn underneath it,” he said ahead of today’s visit from fellow strugglers Portadown.

"I did what I thought was the right thing and we move forward now until such time Ballymena United think it's better for David Jeffrey not to be here.

"I'm absolutely privileged to be here for the length of time I've been here, I love being here, but nothing lasts forever.

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"I know it will be a hard conversation at whatever time it needs to be had.

"But at this moment in time I'm in charge of leading this club and trying to make sure we continue to go forward and I will continue that until someone says 'David thank-you very much indeed, we're going in a different direction'.”

Jeffrey praised his side’s effort and commitment in the cup defeat to the Bannsiders and felt they deserved more from the game despite going down to ten men following Mikey Place’s second half dismissal.

"I thought for large parts of the game we were every bit as good if not better.

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"The truth was when it was 0-0 we had the two best chances of the game, but unfortunately neither ended up in the back of the net.

"The change was obviously the penalty and us going down to ten men.

"I couldn't fault the players' effort and commitment, but it wasn't just effort and commitment, for long periods we were good.

"It's just getting that early break and getting that chance to go in."