Ryan Hanna jumped at the chance for a return to his boyhood club Enniskillen Town United when they came calling earlier this summer as he takes over from Rory Judge, who was the longest-serving manager in the Fermanagh & Western after 16 years in the Town hotseat.

Hanna stepped down as Tummery Athletic player/manager after almost five years in charge at the end of last season and will serve in the same capacity at his new club.

Hanna won three Mercer League titles in his time in charge in Dromore, but will now turn his attention to delivering a first league title for the Enniskillen side in over 10 years.

“Obviously, Rory had a great tenure for 16 odd years,” Hanna said on taking the job.

“I think the club had put together a number of different senior people within the club, obviously it’s a tough task replacing Rory and Emmet (Carty). I suppose it was James McKenna and Mark Connolly that first approached me. 

"I had decided to step away from Tummery at that stage and the club had made contact. I suppose it was a good conversation to have, the club were maybe trying to change the direction they were going in, it had been in a good place, but it was just to kick on and take the next step.

"I was excited by what Mark and James had to say and I was delighted to take up the role. It was not something I expected, I hadn’t actually had any plans after my time at Tummery, which was amazing.

"Amazing time at Tummery and love the club down there and the people, but I just felt it was the right time for me to step away and this came about very, very quickly. I believe that doors open for a reason, and I just grabbed the opportunity with both hands."

Hanna departed Town for Tummery but says he had no ambition to return to the club until the opportunity sprang up.

“I didn’t, to be honest,” he added.

“It’s a place where I started my football, a place where I learned my trade and had so many good times from underage, where I learned to kick a ball, right through to playing all ages groups and playing senior football and winning at senior football.

"I then decided to join Tummery and it was not something I ever envisaged going back. It wasn’t a romantic thing.

"But everything happens for a reason and call it fate or coincidence, but Rory and Emmet decided to step away, and me in the same month decided to step away from Tummery which was a decision I had made long before I actually publicised it.

"I don’t take anything lightly, it’s a brilliant club and it's about trying to get the club back into a really strong position in terms of performing and competing in all the competitions that we’re in and that’s what we’re trying to do this year.”

Hanna will be joined by Daniel McIntyre who has left his role as manager of Enniskillen Galaxy, having been a part of the Fermanagh SuperCupNI management team under junior boss Ciaran Black this summer.

Mark Judge and Pauric Kettyles will also be a part of the Town backroom, with the latter having to step away from playing duties last season.

“Particularly Dano was a brilliant coup for the club,” Hanna said.

“He’s locally known, brilliant coach and a brilliant person as well. He knows the fabric of Enniskillen Town.

"Again, like myself, he came up through the ranks, played all his football, youth, and went up to senior football.

"I was absolutely delighted to get him. We’ve obviously got Pauric which is great, health situations don’t allow him to play anymore, he jumped at the chance and that’s the people I want, and we want around at the club and the first team.

"Mark Judge is in the same capacity as Pauric, a supporting role and, again, another person willing to give up their time and put the club first.”