Irish League manager hails club legend after stepping in amid injury crisis aged 40

King has spent the majority of his playing career at The Showgrounds, captaining Newry in the Premiership having helped them seal promotion to Northern Ireland’s top-tier on two occasions under Darren Mullen.

He had announced his intention to step away from playing in 2024 to focus on his coaching role in Newry’s academy, but was drafted in to make 12 Championship appearances last season with the club fighting relegation.

Having played over 440 times for Newry across two spells, King laced up his boots for the first time since April and helped his side keep a clean sheet in a crucial victory.

"I met Engine during the week and had a conversation with him,” boss Stuart King told the club’s media channel. “I have three or four centre-halves injured so he has come in and he was phenomenal.

"He’s a real leader. He cares so much about the club, it was an easy conversation to have with him, I told him I was in trouble and he stepped in.

"He was excellent, him and Matty (Rendina) were outstanding. They’ve kept a clean sheet, It’s onwards and upwards.”

Newry currently sit third in the Premier Intermediate League, level on points with leaders Moyola Park, who have played two matches fewer, and second-placed Ballyclare.

They’re looking to seal immediate promotion back to the Championship with four teams gaining a spot in a revamped second-tier next term.

Newry were coming off a 3-1 defeat to Ballymacash Rangers and King praised the response from his players.

"It’s a brilliant result,” he added. “It was probably the easiest team talk I’ve ever had to do.

"I told all the lads to watch the videos from our last game...my lads showed how much they care about the club.

"They were poor last week, they know that, but we got another reaction at home – we seem to be doing really well at home.

"It’s a brilliant result but it’s only one game, there’s 30 points to play for and we have to keep going.”