Record-breaking striker returns

Record goal-scorer Ally Wilson has returned to Rathfriland Rangers.

Having left the club to join Championship One side Lisburn Distillery back in June, Wilson has rejoined the Northern Amateur Football League Division 1A team.

In his last three-year stint at the club, he twice broke their season scoring record, netting a startling 51 goals in the 2011/12 season and an even better 53 in 2012/13, when the club finished as runners-up in the league.

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The 27 year-old returns with the side further down the table in 10th spot after 12 games. Just nine points off second spot though, Wilson is delighted to be back.

Rathfriland is my club,” he told the ‘LEADER.’

“I’ve always been in contact with people at the club.

“I’m building a house at the minute and I’m getting married soon. I’m working down south at the minute too and all the travelling was getting too much because we were training in Belfast. I made the decision that I wanted to play closer to home and then there was only one club that I was going to sign for.

“I’ve been doing well, playing and scoring goals at Distillery. I liked it there and I have a lot of time for the manager, Tommy Kincaid. There are no hard feelings there at all. The decision was just based on the travelling.

“I needed to be closer to home and I had to put my family life first.”

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Wilson, of course, returns with the club currently without a manager after Brian Adair left to join Loughgall. The striker, however, doesn’t think that will have a negative affect on the team.

“At least the club can get some stability now,” he said.

“For me, it’s not a big worry because it’s the same team on the pitch. We’ll still do well. At this level, it’s about the team you have on the pitch and we’ve got a good one.”

Lisburn Distillery boss Tommy Kincaid said: “I’m disappointed things didn’t work out for Ally at Distillery and I wish him all the best at Rathfriland.”

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