'I never wanted to leave': Glenavon talisman reveals why he rejected Premiership offers to stay at Irish League club

After Glenavon’s 21-year top-flight stay came to an end last season, a host of Irish League clubs registered an interest in acquiring the services of their talisman Campbell.

The 27-year-old has been one of the Co Armagh club’s top talents since joining from Loughgall in 2020, and although his involvement was limited to just 17 starts last term due to injury, Campbell still registered three goals and 11 assists – only Glentoran’s Ryan Cooney (13) had more.

It has been a hectic time for Campbell, who married new wife Sasha on Saturday before confirmation of his Glenavon future on Wednesday.

Although it would have been easy to continue plying his trade in Northern Ireland’s top-flight, Campbell feels a sense of loyalty to the Mourneview Park outfit and is delighted to have a fresh deal in place.

"There was a bit of back and forth trying to get it sorted out...it was something I never wanted to happen, us getting relegated and your future in doubt,” he told the News Letter. “I’m glad it’s sorted and we can move on from it now.

"My missus had everything sorted for the wedding and it was all good to go, but the fact I hadn’t got sorted with football, she was getting a bit annoyed herself because every time she tried to speak to me I had football on my mind!

"She was more delighted to get it sorted before the wedding and we could enjoy the day.

"I never wanted to leave Glenavon. When I sat down with my family and my wife, we came to the conclusion that with Eden, our five-month old, and how well Glenavon have treated me (that I would be staying).

"I had several offers to go to other places and I spoke to Mick (O’Connor). There’s a lot of factors in a decision, but I’m glad I’ve decided to stay after sitting down with Mick.

"Mick, Doyler (Andrew Doyle) and Fergy (Mark Ferguson) are my mates so that’s another factor, but I think I owe something to Glenavon to get them back up with how well they’ve treated me.”

Having impressed for Glenavon across the past six seasons, scoring 37 goals in 185 league appearances and contributing to many more, this summer wasn’t the first time clubs had come calling for Campbell.

With his own situation now sorted, Campbell is excited for the future with new investors Football International Limited holding ambitious plans for Glenavon.

"Glenavon had told me about clubs being interested and there was a time I didn’t know what was going to happen,” he added. “Glenavon always made it clear that they wanted me to stay, which is nice.

"I sat down with Mick and the new investor to speak about the plans for the future. I’m intrigued to see what could happen with new investment at the club.

“It’s a hard decision because obviously you want to play at the highest level, but Glenavon is a massive club and the fans have always been great to me as well.

"I’m delighted that it’s all sorted and now I want to knuckle down and help get the club back up.”