The man they call ‘Hoppy’ is more than happy to have be given the chance to awaken a sleeping giant.
Stephen ‘Hoppy’ Kinch has taken over the reings at St James Gate and is determined to play a part in restoring former Gate glories.
The team established for the workers of St James’s Gate Brewery 121 years ago and inaugural winners of both the League of Ireland and FAI Cup almost folded last year.
Only a last minute intervention saved the club who were playing in the LOI First Division as recent as 1996, as a result Kinch is aware he has job on hands.
Regardless he is confident he can help the side that finished on the foot of LSL Major Sunday 1 get back on the front foot.
On his appointment the former Crumlin United and Inchicore Athletic front man said: “I am over the moon to get the job, it will be a hard task but I am excited at the prospect and opportunity to try to stabilise the club and start moving back up through the leagues over the coming seasons.
“I was impressed by what the club has to offer and the plans to re-establish the club within the community.
“We’re a sleeping giant and my job will be to make the place attractive to play football, to have people in the area that want to come to us, for the right reasons and represent the badge on their chest. It’s a great honour and I honestly cannot wait to get going”.
Kinch will be supported in his role by Head Coach, Dave Dunning, a UEFA B qualified coach with numerous other qualifications across different specialisms within the sport
“I am delighted to be involved in the project, my family has history with this club so I want to be part of building the club back up to where it belongs,” said Dunning.
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