Darren Murphy listened to Dave Rogers passionately lay out his plans to revitalise League of Ireland side Finn Harps and knew he had to be a part of it.

Now a relationship of trust forged as players and coaches will see the two Football Careers clients, both UEFA Pro Licence holders, join forces in the quest to take their club back into the Irish Premier League next season.

Harps’ relegation in the last campaign and the subsequent departure of former manager Ollie Horgan has seen them hit the reset button. Now with Rogers lured from a plum Academy job at English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, they have shown further signs of intent with the capture of Murphy, who revealed:

“Prior to Dave being appointed as manager, he contacted me asking if I would be interested in coming in full-time as part of the management and coaching team.

“Once I met him it was a very easy decision. I have built up a very strong relationship with Dave over the last 15 plus years during our playing careers and coaching journeys. To have this opportunity to work with him was one I couldn’t turn down.

“His vision is to develop and implement proper structures and foundations for professionalism both on and off the pitch. His commitment in creating a style and identity throughout the club – including a player pathway from the Academy to the first team – really aligned with my principles.”

As Rogers embarks on the mission to construct a squad capable of reviving his club’s fortunes, he will have a wealth of experience on both sides of the Irish border alongside him in Murphy.

Darren starred for the likes of Portadown, Glenavon, Linfield, Dungannon Swifts and Crusaders as a player. He bossed the Swifts whilst also impressing in coaching roles with Linfield, Crusaders and at the Irish FA.

To have two UEFA Pro Licence coaches at the helm of an Irish First Division club shows admirable ambition in the Harps boardroom. Rogers and Murphy now have key pre-season work ahead of them before the First Division opener at home to Galway United on 17th February.

For Dave, having a trusted lieutenant of Darren’s calibre alongside him was key to the mission ahead and he admitted:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be bringing in Darren as my assistant coach. Darren and I have built up a strong relationship over the past 15 years and to add another UEFA Pro Licence coach to our club is a real coup.

“His experience from a fantastic playing career has seen him transition into an innovative and exciting coach with a real passion and desire in player development.

“Darren will add an outstanding amount of professionalism to our vision and commitment on growing with his contacts and experience within the game in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“Darren’s work ethic and attention to detail make him a superb acquisition to my backroom staff and I’m sure our players and fans will be proud as I am to welcome him to Finn Harps.”