Peter Campbell path to Glenavon a ‘blueprint’ for coveted youth prospects to benefit club and player

The Lurgan Blues this week confirmed a transfer for former Portadown youth player Campbell - providing the playmaker a platform at Danske Bank Premiership level following sustained progress over the past few seasons in the Irish League second tier.

Villagers boss Smith, a former Glenavon player, has ‘no doubt’ Campbell displays the attitude and attributes to prove a success at Mourneview Park.

And Smith moved to replace the goals and assists provided by Campbell with three additions to the Bluefin Sport Championship club’s attacking arsenal in Nedas Maciulaitis, Pablo Andrade and Matthew Holloway.

Dedicating time towards developing a prospect’s potential that inevitably attracts interest from high-profile rivals is a cycle Smith accepts as part of the hierarchy - but he cites Campbell as a shining example of an arrangement mutually beneficial.

“I have absolutely no doubt Peter can do well at Glenavon and we wish him every success, he knows there is always a warm welcome at Loughgall,” said Smith, who has guided Loughgall to an Irish Cup semi-final, Mid-Ulster Cup triumph and top-six league tally since joining from Annagh United in 2016. “He could have made the move to the Premiership in the past but listened to our advice and agreed more time with Loughgall would aid his development.

“You only have to look back on his form last season to see such attention from top clubs was certainly on merit.

“From our viewpoint, it is about making it work for the club and players can look at the facilities and progress of Loughgall and see a squad able to compete.

“If we sign players who buy 100 per cent into our ambitions with the right mentality then we can achieve our goals as a club and, if it comes the right time for a player to progress to the next level off the back of helping us to success, we can attract other quality players.

“We feel people look on Loughgall and see positive progress, especially over the past few seasons on and off the field, so that helps attract the right kind of person and player.

“That is what we have been able to do by bringing in Nedas, Pablo and Matthew - three players from the area who have the right quality and character to fit into our existing squad and, hopefully, allow us to continue moving forward.

“Nedas attracted praise during his time at Coleraine, Pablo has been at big clubs such as Linfield and Dundalk and Matthew is someone I’m excited to see move up from Banbridge Rangers.

“I’ve know all three for some time and certainly the fact they are basically local helps when it comes to negotiations at a time when the coronavirus impact on a delay to the new season has made life difficult as so many players want to wait and see before making any commitment.

“So much of our progress has been based on hungry and dedicated players working towards collective club goals, I certainly look on the correct team spirit within the group as helping add points on the board each season.”

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