Sligo Rovers defender Kyle Callan-McFadden was named as the clubs Player of the Year for 2017 over the weekend in just his first season at the club.
The 22 year-old started his career at Norwich City, but failed to make a breakthrough, before moving to the USA to play for Orlando City’s reserve side, who play in the second tier United Soccer League (USL).
He joined the club in December 2016, signed by former bitored boss Dave Robertson, and went on to play 29 games this season, scoring twice.
He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at U-17, U-19 and U-21 Level.
We caught up with Callan-McFadden and asked him about the clubs tough end to the season, which ended up with the Club securing their Premier Division place for 2018, “Yeah, it was a nervy end to the season, but the players, the club and the staff knew we had the togetherness to get us through this blip in the road and stay in the top division.”
“We are all raring to go next season and right all the wrongs. Where we ended the season this year is nowhere near where Sligo Rovers should be finishing on the league table, and next year we will make sure we do everything we can to get us further up the table to where we belong.”
Gerard Lyttle replaced Robertson in April following a poor start to the season and Callan-McFadden said he has brought great confidence to the players, “The gaffer has been great since he's come in. He gave us all a new lease of life and gave us all more confidence, and I think that has showed in our performances since he came in.”
“We only lost 1 game in the last series of games I think. So getting a full proper pre-season under the gaffer will be great for us a team. However I’m sure it won't be easy (laughs) but it will definitely benefit us for the season ahead and we are all looking forward to it.”
Speculation was rife that many players, including Callan-McFadden and Rhys McCabe could be set to move away from the Showgrounds, but he said that was never the case, with him anyway, “Yeah after the season there was a lot of speculation about where some of us might be going, but I knew Sligo was were I wanted to be. This club is far too big to be in the position where we finished in the table this year, so we will definitely be putting that right next year. As I said before it's going to be great for us as players having a full pre-season under the gaffer. We will push on from that because he has time to try new things.”
There’s no doubt that Sligo is a football town and he says you only need to see the amount of support they’ve brought to games this season to realise that, “Yeah Sligo is a big footballing town. It’s history with leagues and cup wins speaks volumes. We want to make sure to get this club back to where it's belongs. The fans deserve it too, they have been brilliant for us this season, stuck with us through thick and thin. Bringing 600+ to some away games says it all.”
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