Following a disappointing relegation at the end of last season, Glenavon finds itself in the Championship with a singular focus: to secure immediate promotion back to the Irish Premiership. The Lurgan-based club, which had a notable 21-year tenure in the top flight, is determined to reclaim its place among the elite of Northern Irish football.
Striker Ryan Waide, who has spent his entire career in the Irish Premiership, made the decision to join Glenavon this summer from Carrick Rangers, motivated by the club's ambition and potential. At 26, Waide brings a wealth of experience from previous stints at clubs like Linfield, Ballymena United, and Loughgall, but this season marks his first venture into the Championship.
In search of consistent playing time, Waide engaged in discussions with Glenavon’s manager, Michael O’Connor, and felt a strong connection to the club's vision. "Michael was really on the money from the get-go," Waide stated after being named the Championship's player of the month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association. He emphasized the importance of a manager's trust in a player's abilities, which he found in O'Connor.
Waide's belief in Glenavon's potential to return to the Premiership is palpable. He remarked, "I believe Glenavon are a Premiership club, and the ambition for them to bounce back straight to the Premiership drew me in as well." This conviction is shared by many, as Glenavon is viewed as one of the stronger teams in the restructured Championship, which now features 16 clubs.
However, the season started with a shock, as Glenavon suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Ards, which Waide described as a "wake-up call on day one." The loss served as a critical moment for the team, prompting them to regroup and refocus. Following that setback, Glenavon responded positively, winning three of their next four matches and scoring a total of 14 goals, with Waide himself netting seven of those.
"Glenavon have some of the best facilities in the country, and when teams come to our place, they raise their game by 10 or 15%. We just need to elevate our performance by 20 or 25%," Waide explained. He acknowledged that as favorites in the league, the team must consistently perform at a higher level to achieve their goal of promotion.
Despite the disappointment of relegation, Waide noted that the team has maintained a positive outlook. "No one's been dwelling on the fact that they went down last year. It's just been about what we need to do to get back to the Premiership. That mentality from Mick towards the players has really made us believe that we can bounce straight back to the Premiership," he said.
Waide expressed his desire to contribute to Glenavon's success, stating that winning promotion would mean a great deal not only to the players but also to the dedicated fans and volunteers who support the club tirelessly. "It would mean just as much to us as what it would mean to them," he concluded, highlighting the communal spirit within the club.
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