The thoughts of everyone at Glenavon are with the family circle of Ryan McBride and our friends in football at Derry City FC following Ryan’s untimely death which was announced last night.

Ryan, an inspirational figure at the heart of the Brandywell club’s defence, captained the Derry City squad which played a friendly at Mourneview Park last June as part of the build up to our 2016/17 Europa League games.

He will be remembered as one of the outstanding centre backs ever to play League of Ireland football. A sad, sad loss to his family and to the game.

Ryan McBride and Gary Hamilton in action in a Glenavon-Derry City friendly. Photo by Maynard Collins.