'Please stick together' appeals Newry City captain Steven Ball after run of poor results
Newry City AFC released a statement from team captain Steven Ball this afternoon, where he called for ‘continued support’ from the fans ahead of a massive game against Ards on Friday night.
City haven’t lived up to their pre-season expectations and having been tipped to compete for promotion from the Championship, they find themselves second from bottom in the league with two wins from nine league games.
Things hit a new low on Tuesday night when they were trounced 5-1 away to third division side Dollingstown in the BetMcLean League Cup and many of the club’s supporters took to social media to voice their displeasure following that result.
It may only be the tenth league game of the season, but their encounter at home to Ards tomorrow night (Friday) already has the feeling of ‘must win’.
With a lot of negative energy surrounding the club, Ball appealed to the supporters to ‘please stick together’ in a statement which was released on the club’s social media channels this afternoon.
The statement read:
‘I’d like to take this opportunity to tell our fans that we know recent performances and results have been extremely lacking, and that has been made clear to us. We as a team take full responsibility and I’d like everyone to know we are working tirelessly in the background to do our very best to put things right.
‘The support we receive week in, week out has been tremendous. We know you are hurting at the minute, as we as players are, but please stick together. We plan to put things right ASAP and get ourselves up the table.
‘It’s been a privilege to wear the captain’s armband for Newry following in the footsteps of Engine [Darren King], one of Newry’s best ever! My job is to try and lead this team to success and collectively, I firmly believe that will happen.
‘Again, thank you for your continued support, we hope to produce something on Friday night that you can be proud of again.
'Steven Ball’.