By Jomathan Brown
KILLYLEAGH YC manager Stephen Lindsay wasn’t pulling any punches when asked about his side’s ambitions for the upcoming season, which gets under way on Saturday.
Linsday says The Whites are aiming to win the Amateur League Division 1B title as they bid to return to Division 1A.
The Showgrounds outfit finished fifth last season, missing out on promotion, but Lindsay believes the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Paddy Douglas for much of the campaign proved decisive.
Douglas missed the majority of the 2025/26 season through injury, forcing outfield players Jake Clydesdale and Ethan Davidson to share goalkeeping duties.
“Isolated instances went against us, mainly the fact we didn’t have our first-choice goalkeeper for most of the season.
“Paddy is such a good goalkeeper. It’s difficult to find a goalkeeper of that quality at this level,” said Lindsay.
Now entering a new campaign, the former Comber Rec player has made no secret of Killyleagh’s ambitions as the eight-time Amateur League Premier Division champions look to begin their climb back towards the top flight.
“We have to win the league title. We don’t want to go up in second place.
“If we can win the league title this season, we think we can really kick on over the next four, five or six years.”
In the full story the manager goes on to explain what he thinks of his new squad, including some notable signings.
