Arkins' aim to help '˜move club forward'

Vinny Arkins' position as a Portadown legend was secured thanks to a return far beyond the goals and glory.
Vinny Arkins. Pic by PressEye Ltd.Vinny Arkins. Pic by PressEye Ltd.
Vinny Arkins. Pic by PressEye Ltd.

The club’s all-time leading scorer spent almost a decade leading the line for the Shamrock Park outfit.

That Portadown career of league and cup trophy triumphs also called on Arkins to play a key role in rescuing the club from relegation - now the former captain is aiming to transfer that golden touch from the pitch to the dug-out.

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Arkins, who arrived last season as assistant to Pat McGibbon, moved up into the position of interim manager on Friday night in the aftermath of the latter’s resignation.

A 1-0 defeat to Coleraine on Saturday served to cap a depressing week for the Ports that featured the loss of a double appeal against Irish Football Association punishments of a 12-point league deduction and decision to award Coleraine a 3-0 win in relation to the opening game of the campaign.

A toxic atmosphere at Shamrock Park featured chants and angry exchanges between the fanbase and directors.

“I’ve a passion for this club and am willing to help anyone willing to move Portadown forward,” said Arkins, who does not hold the required coaching badges to hold the role of manager on a permanent basis.

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“There are huge positives we can take from the past two performances against Crusaders and Coleraine.

“We have trained hard and can boast some promising young players, so it about building a stable foundation.

“I am not a magic bullet and people need to realise it is going to take a number of years to turn things around.

“Despite who has made mistakes, we must now accept the reality of the situation and, on the pitch, start to turn the small moments into something big that can tip the scales.

“Pat McGibbon is a good friend and one of the most genuine guys in the game.”