Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action this Friday evening (Fri 30 Sept) with the first Mid-Ulster derby of the season when we face Glenavon at Shamrock Park, kick off 7:45pm

The Ports come into the game off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Dungannon Swifts last Friday evening while Glenavon last tasted Premiership action back on the 17th September when Cliftonville beat them 1-0 at Mourneview Park.

The last time the two sides met was back in April 2022 with Glenavon winning 1-0 at Mourneview Park thanks to a Danny Wallace goal, last meeting between the sides at Shamrock Park was the festive fixture on 27th December 2021 with 9 man Glenavon coming away with the bragging rights thanks to solitary Peter Campbell goal.

Glenavon have added to their squad during the summer to try to improve on their 7th placed finish last season with Rory Brown, Conor Kerr, Michael Glynn, Issac Baird, Jack Malone and Eoin Bradley all checking in at Mourneview.

Lurgan Blues manager Gary Hamilton has stated that they will be without Andrew Doyle and Jamie Doran for tonights game.

Portadown captain Paddy McNally had the following to say ahead of this evenings game

Tonights game is a brilliant opportunity for us, derby games are always special in terms of atmosphere and everything that comes with it. We know what’s required of us and will give it our all to get a result

 

The officials are – Referee – Christopher Morrison / Assistant 1 – Steven Donaldson / Assistant 2 – Ryan Kelsey / 4th official – Steven Gregg

Tonights game is LIVE on the BBC iPlayer (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer) and BBC Sport NI website (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland)

 

Online tickets for the game are available via https://tickets.portadownfc.co.uk/fixtures

While online tickets for matches still remain, a cash gate is now also available at each game at Shamrock Park for HOME SUPPORTERS ONLY (except in the event where a game has sold out online in advance of the game). We would add however that purchasing your ticket online remains the best way to guarantee your seat for games and would still actively encourage supporters to avail of the facility.

Matchday Live returns tomorrow with Jonny Dunlop on the official Portadown YouTube & Facebook pages were he’ll be previewing the game as well as chatting to players and management to get their views.

A reminder about the Ports Hub facility at games at Shamrock Park which give you match info, player stats and exclusive interviews. To access the Ports Hub simply scan the QR code placed on every other seat’s backrest at Shamrock Park (as well as in the clubrooms) and you will give brought to a host of great content, think of it as your digital matchday programme!

 

  • Match sponsor – Murray Tyres
  • Match Ball Sponsor – Nearby, Laurelvale
  • PSS Man of the Match Sponsor – Darren Murphy – Brand Agent for Derbystar Footballs, Official Match Ball sponsor of the 2022/23 German Bundesliga

 

Charity Bucket Collection – ABC Autism Group

 

Community Guests – Knocknamuckley Boys Brigade, Uniting Communities Group, ABC Autism Group & Portadown YMCA

 

  • In the last 21 meetings between the sides there have been 14 red cards (5 for Glenavon & 9 for Portadown)
  • In the last 21 meetings between the two sides there have been 21 goals scored from the 80th minute onwards (This includes a goal in the fixture on 26/12/16 which was subsequently wiped following a Glenavon player eligibility issue)
  • Robert Garrett has seen a red card for both clubs in Mid-Ulster derbies – He was sent off for Portadown against Glenavon in February 2016 at Mourneview Park and then was sent off for Glenavon against Portadown in December 2021 at Shamrock Park

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Saturday 23 April 2022 – Glenavon 1 (Wallace) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 12 February 2022 – Glenavon 3 (Singleton, Haughey, McCloskey) Portadown 0
  • Monday 27 December 2021 – Portadown 0 Glenavon 1 (Campbell)
  • Friday 27 August 2021 – Portadown 1 (Finnegan) Glenavon 1 (O’Connor)
  • Tuesday 4 May 2021 – Glenavon 4 (Fitzpatrick x2, Doyle, McCallum OG) Portadown 1 (Bonis)

 

Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park (All competitions)

  • Monday 27 December 2021 – Portadown 0 Glenavon 1 (Campbell)
  • Friday 27 August 2021 – Portadown 1 (Finnegan) Glenavon 1 (O’Connor)
  • Tuesday 9 March 2021 – Portadown 1 (Lavery) Glenavon 2 (Hall, McCaffery)
  • Saturday 6 March 2021 – Portadown 4 (Warde (p), Bonis, Guy, Lavery) Glenavon 1 (Ward)
  • Monday 27 November 2017 – Portadown 1 (Duffin) Glenavon 2 (A.Foley, Jenkins)

 

Can we remind supporters about the We Are Ports Family Fan Zone will be in operation before our Danske Bank Premiership game against Glenavon this evening (30 September) at Shamrock Park.

The ‘We Are Ports Family Fan Zone’ will be situated within the home turnstiles at Shamrock Park, beginning at 6pm it will include music, inflatable football games, face painting, ice-cream van and giveaways – The Ports Store and the newly installed tuck shop will also be open.

We are also excited to have UEFA Euro 2020 football freestyle ambassador and 2-time Irish Freestyle Football Champion Sam Madden with us at our We Are Ports Family Fan Zone, Sam will be performing his array of flicks and tricks for those in attendance.

 

Also with more families and community / youth groups visiting Shamrock Park on match days, the club has decided to re-launch our FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AREA.

BLOCK B in the home stand has been designated as this area, a traditionally slightly quieter block and further away from opposition supporters.

We recognise that football matches are noisy and passionate experiences for players and fans alike but we would also like children, families and community visitors of mixed abilities and needs to feel comfortable when they visit a match, for some, their very first football match.

Guidelines for supporters sitting in Block B will be clearly displayed at the front of that area and we encourage all patrons in the block to follow them:

  • PLEASE BE AWARE OF THOSE AROUND YOU.
  • PLEASE USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.
  • BE POSITIVE TOWARDS PEOPLE ON THE PITCH.

 

Last but certainly not least, we are asking anyone attending Friday night’s Mid Ulster Derby, to consider supporting the Thomas Street, Methodist Church WINTER COAT PROJECT, in association with ROC Northern Ireland.

Volunteers from Thomas Street, Methodist will be on hand at the front of the stadium to accept donations of new or used coats. scarves and gloves as well as brand new hats. Any donations given will used to support people locally and around Northern Ireland this winter as they deal with the cost of living crisis.