West Belfast junior football club signals intent with 'biggest ever signing'

Photo shows Jude Winchester who has signed for St James' Swifts
-Credit: (Image: St James' Swifts/Inpho)


A West Belfast junior football club has signalled its intent after announcing its "biggest ever signing". St James' Swifts, who play in the Ballymena and Provincial League, have confirmed the arrival of former Irish League ace Jude Winchester.

Winchester left Crusaders last month after spending a decade playing top-flight football in Northern Ireland. He also had spells with Ballymena United and Cliftonville.

Despite being just 31 years of age, he has decided to drop down the levels so he can combine playing football with his coaching business and "help develop local young talent".

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St James have described the midfielder's arrival as a "massive" coup for the club.

Current player and committee member Joseph McCall told Belfast Live: "It's absolutely massive for our club. Jude's a local lad who all the kids in the surrounding areas look up too, having won Irish Cups and much more.

"It is the biggest signing we have ever made and the fact that he's a good friend of mine makes it even more special to myself and the club. It shows where the club want to go in the future.

Photo shows Jude Winchester after signing for St James' Swifts
Jude Winchester after signing for St James' Swifts -Credit:St James' Swifts FC

"There isn't one club from West Belfast representing football in any of the divisions in NI Football League and hopefully we can try and be the club who does that. It obviously was a hard decision for Jude to drop down to play but it makes sense with his coaching business which is absolutely flying at the minute and kids are becoming better players because of him."

St James' Swifts have attracted plenty of Irish League players before. Ryan Catney once played for the club while Barry Johnston is a former manager.

Their current first-team squad also includes former Cliftonville and Portadown defender Garry Breen, and now Winchester has been added to the ranks.

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Winchester - who left Crusaders last month - said he had other options to continue playing in the Irish Premiership, but says a move to St James' Swifts suited his football and business plans.

Photo shows Jude Winchester in action for Crusaders
Jude Winchester in action for Crusaders -Credit:INPHO/Stephen Hamilton

He said on Facebook: "For the past decade or so I’ve been playing Irish League football for some great clubs with some of the best managers the league had to offer winning everything there was to offer at that level and playing with some unbelievable players.

"I now feel that I want to focus on not just on the pitch stuff but also off it where I can now put more time and effort into my coaching business to help develop local young talent become the best they can be.

"I had offers to stay in the league but I felt that it would take up too much of my time and I wouldn’t be able to fully focus on what I want to achieve going forward and I feel this move helps me do that, can’t wait to get going and see what the future brings not just on but of the field."

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