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Association football club in Northern Ireland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Loughgall Football Club is a semi-professional Northern Irish football club currently playing in the NIFL Premiership. The club has been managed by Dean Smith since 2016.
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| Full name | Loughgall Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Villagers | ||
| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Ground | Lakeview Park | ||
| Capacity | 1,650 | ||
| Chairman | Sam Nicholson | ||
| Manager | Dean Smith | ||
| League | NIFL Premiership | ||
| 2023–24 | NIFL Premiership, 9th of 12 | ||
| Website | https://loughgallfc.co.uk/ | ||
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The club, founded in 1967, is situated in the village of Loughgall, near Armagh in County Armagh and they play their home games in the village at Lakeview Park. The club was accepted into the old Irish League B Division in 1991, having played largely at junior level prior. Alfie Wylie is their longest serving manager, being in charge from 1986 to 1999. In the 1996–97 season, the club would have a good season, notably defeating Cliftonville in the League Cup, winning the Bob Radcliffe cup and reaching the semi-final of the Irish Cup. In the space of four years, the Lakeview Park side would win four consecutive B Divisions however would not be granted election to the 1st Division, being overlooked for other, arguably bigger clubs further down the league table.
They achieved senior status in 2004 on promotion to the Irish Premier League, but reverted to intermediate status upon relegation in 2007. In 2007, under the management of Niall Currie, the club had their most successful season, winning the first division, Bob Radciffe, Mid Ulster Cup, Intermediate Cup and Carnegie League Cup. The villagers would win the league again in 2009–10 but would not be promoted. On 3 March 2018, Loughgall defeated Glenavon 2–1 to reach the semi-final of the Irish Cup for the first time since 1997.[1]
In April 2023, the club would return to the NIFL Premiership for the first time since 2007, following a 3–1 win away to Dundela.[2] In being promoted, the village of Loughgall would become the smallest settlement, with a population of 283, to have a top flight team in Europe.[3] The club would start their season away to Newry City. The club would perform incredibly well in the top flight, securing a notable victory over champions Larne, and finishing well clear of the relegation zone. The villagers plaudits would see manager Dean Smith receive Manager of the Year from the NIFWA. Striker Benji Magee had been subject of significant interest from Larne, Glentoran and Walsall following a strong campaign with the club, before securing a move to champions Larne in August 2024. [4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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(Note: The NIFL Championship gained senior status in 2016, having previously been an intermediate competition.)
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