Ards Move Quickly To Sign Up Shaw
30th July 2006

Shaw played the full ninety minutes at right-back and performed solidly, prompting Ards coaches Raymond Morrison and Gary Hillis to secure his signature. Johnny, who turned 27 earlier this month is best remembered from his Crusaders days, where he played for three seasons, mostly under Alan Dornan.

He left the club following their relegation in 2005 and spent last season helping PSNI with their promotion bid.

Well-travelled forward Justin McBride has also formally signed up this week, after impressing the management in the opening couple of pre-season encounters. The 34 year-old had been thought to have played his last games in the Irish League, having called it a day 18 months ago following a long injury lay off.

He was with Ballymena United then and prior to that had famously made the move from Glentoran to cross-city rivals Linfield. But now the player is looking forward to starting another season in just a few weeks time. "I had just lost interest, it was as simple as that," explained the striker. "But Gary Hillis is a good friend of mine and he rang me to ask me to come down to Ards and give it a go again. I really enjoyed the Ards Rangers game."

Justin looks very like partnering Craig McCracken on the Ards front line this season, which pleases Gary Hillis: "Justin looked really good in the game against Ards Rangers. He still has great quality and he has fantastic experience that will stand us in good stead for the new campaign. We are delighted to have him on board."

Defender Stephen Munn, who had played against Kilmore Rec in midweek, in turn made an appearance for Bangor on Saturday, with Ards looking like missing out on that one. Veteran defender Philip Major has been rumoured to be interested in joining the club and he will in fact make an appearance in this coming Thursday's match against Crusaders.

ardsfc.co.uk