Arkins to return back South?

**carrickharp** · 08/06/2005, 7:28 AM

Portadown striker and captain Vinny Arkins is staying at Shamrock Park for another season.

Despite a tempting offer of a return to the Eircom League Premier Division with Drogheda, Ports boss Ronnie McFall has convinced Arkins to stay put.

"It is great to have him back," McFall told BBC Sport. "There's nobody on this island who could have replaced him.

"Everybody is delighted that the club captain is staying on. He is very much part of the set-up at Shamrock Park."

The 35-year-old Arkins proved his worth last month when he scored twice in Portadown's 5-1 Nationwide Irish Cup final victory over Larne.

As well as Drogheda, Shelbourne and St Patrick's were also interested in bringing Arkins back across the border.

**Macy** · 08/06/2005, 7:32 AM

Would only get the money for going full time down here. Hence stays on his silly money part time contract with Ports, again.

**Slash/ED** · 08/06/2005, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by dublinharp

Shelbourne....were also interested in bringing Arkins back across the border.

No, no we weren't. I'm sick of Shels name getting linked to every single story about a player coming into the league. There was never any interest in Arkins whatsoever, it would be an absolutley stupid transfer for us to make.

**Macy** · 08/06/2005, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

No, no we weren't. I'm sick of Shels name getting linked to every single story about a player coming into the league. There was never any interest in Arkins whatsoever, it would be an absolutley stupid transfer for us to make.

You signed Hawkins didn't you?

**Slash/ED** · 08/06/2005, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

You signed Hawkins didn't you?

I was skeptical at the time, but he'd be in contention for our player of the year for the way he's played in the first series of games, he seems to be back to his best atm.