Portadown captain – and current interim manager – Gary Thompson feels the arrival of David Jeffrey is a clear sign “the pull is still there” at Shamrock Park.

Irish League legend Jeffrey, who won 32 trophies across successful spells at Linfield and Ballymena United, has been named as new Ports chief following Niall Currie’s exit.

The 63-year-old will begin his role ahead of next season with Thompson continuing in his temporary position for this weekend’s final Premiership match of the season against Bangor.

Thompson has previous experience of working under Jeffrey having started his Irish League career at Linfield before the pair reunited in 2016 at Ballymena.

placeholder image — David Jeffrey celebrates winning the League Cup with Ballymena United. (Photo by Presseye/Stephen Hamilton)

Former Crusaders midfielder Thompson has spent the past three years with Portadown, captaining them to Championship glory and stabilising a position in Northern Ireland’s top-flight, and believes Jeffrey’s high-profile appointment shows the size of the Co Armagh club.

"I've been at Portadown for three years and, as far as I'm concerned, the pull is still there,” he said. “It's a brilliant place to play.

"The thing I love about Portadown is you can feel how much it means to the people...you don't get that at every club.

"You can really feel it here and it's a big part of the town. It really is a pleasure to play for the club.

"I always think about the facilities in the area, it would be great if there was some investment because you do feel it has been neglected a bit.

"In terms of the pull, the fanbase and a place to play, it's a great place to be.

"I've been fortunate to work with David at Linfield and Ballymena. He's such a big character in Irish League circles and when you bump into him over the years, he's such a welcoming character, such a huge figure in our game.

"He needs no introduction when he comes into a room, his record speaks for itself. It's a big signing for Portadown.”

Jeffrey’s impressive CV includes nine Premiership titles, seven Irish Cup crowns and seven League Cups, while he recorded Ballymena’s highest league finish in decades when the Sky Blues ended the 2018/19 campaign in second.

Thompson is well aware of the impact Jeffrey can have on a football club – and believes it’ll be no different at Portadown.

"He's such a big character and he will bring plenty to the football club,” he added. “I know from my time at Ballymena...people probably thought after his time at Linfield that he wouldn't give everything, but not a bit of it.

"He poured everything into that football club, him and Rose (Jeffrey’s partner), and with the type of character he is, he's a 100% man, he will pour everything into Portadown - that's just the character of the man.

"He's unbelievable, an unbelievable character. That shines through, even in his commentary or speaking at a dinner, if you're in his company, it's a great time.

"He has had success everywhere he has been, his record speaks for itself. You can't not enjoy winning - and David has done plenty of winning.”