Gault to make comeback to local football at Welly Rec

Gault, who previously worked with Donald during spells at Islandmagee and Barn, told the Times: “Stephen asked me if I would mind coming down to give him a hand, and I’m really looking forward to it. We go back a long time and I think we work well together.

“I’ve been out of front line management for a while and I don’t have the contacts I used to have, but Stephen has been quick in strengthening the squad, with the likes of Andy Phillips, Andy Waide, Christopher Morton, Michael Moore and Stuarty Hilditch.

“Division 1b could be hard enough next season, but we’re talking about players who have been in the Premier Division, and I think there is a difference. And things have been looking good in training, with new coach Colin Moore working them hard.

“You’d like to think we’d be up there challenging for promotion.”

Gault’s last taste of management came when he lasted 27 days and just three training sessions at Kilroot Rec, stepping down without even leading them in a single match.

As he conceded: “I really do have a lot of time for everyone at Kilroot, but I thought I was going down there to do some coaching - I hadn’t realised they had virtually no players at the time. I made countless phone calls but just couldn’t get anyone to come.”

It was away back in the early 80s when Trevor cut his managerial teeth, as player boss of Grange Rangers, before going on to win the league with Barn United Seconds.

For the next few years, he was assistant at what was then known as STC, bringing the Border and Clarence Cups back to the Factory Grounds.

Trevor soon found his way back to the Barn, where one of the undoubted highlights of his spell in charge was a narrow 2-1 Bass Irish Cup defeat by Glentoran at the Oval.

From there it was on to Islandmagee, firstly as assistant to Stewarty McCleave, and then as manager, leading the Islanders back into the Premier Division, as well as Border Regiment Cup finals.

Meanwhile, back at Wellington, Donald’s new signings will have an obvious knock on effect for Gary Morrow’s Seconds who are looking forward to life in Division 3b after securing promotion.