BY Tommy Nethery
DAVID McAskie has been named as the caretaker manager at Dergview for the foreseeable future.
The man, who along with Gary Mortland steered the Darragh Park outfit to an historic Carnegie Irish League Second Division triumph last season, took charge of team affairs on Tuesday evening following the departure of previous boss Colin Colhoun last week.
The Castlederg club have made a wretched start to their IFA Championship campaign, securing just six points from a possible 21, although Derryman Colhoun inherited a squad that had been ravaged by injury and decimated by a number of players moving to bigger clubs.
It is hoped that the experienced McAskie, who has brought success to the club during his previous two stints as manager, will stop the rot and turn around the fortunes of the team over the coming months.
Chairman Roy Lecky said he was delighted that McAskie was back in charge, albeit in a temporary capacity for the time being and believed that he was the man best equipped to steady the ship.
"Absolutely. He will bring a lot of experience to the job and has a proven track record," said Mr Lecky.
"The club enjoyed their greatest ever season last year under his guidance and although we are not expecting him to make us world beaters in the short term, I believe he can steer us in the right direction. Having committed to the job he has already shown tremendous enthusiasm and is actively setting about the task in hand.
"His return is a great boost for everyone at the club and hopefully he can ignite the passion and restore the confidence in the players."
Sion Mills man Tommy Canning will remain at the club as assistant while it is hoped that Mortland may become involved in some capacity upon his return from work commitments in the States.
McAskie's first game in charge will be against Banbridge away next weekend (Oct 4) before matches against Larne (away) and Killymoon Rangers at home.
