Dungannon Rovers began life in the year 2000, when 8 guys from Dungannon who were playing for Victoria Crusaders FC based in Armagh decided to set up their own team in Dungannon itself – these players were William McCready, Paul McCready, Andy Williamson, Lee Wigton, Andy Griggs, Johny Robinson, Rodney McKirgan and Phillip Wallace.

The team was originally called Ranfurly FC and they played their home games at Dungannon Park. In their first year after joining the Mid Ulster league in Division 4 they finished a lowly second from bottom of the league above their old team Victoria Crusaders by some 2 points. In that season the manager was Willie McCready.

The following year Willie decided to step down as manager and Ralph Abernethy stepped in to manage and organise the team. The name of the team was changed to the name we know today, Dungannon Rovers. This new team finished 6th in Division 4 for the season 2001-2002. The very next season (2002-2003) the team finished 4th in the league but was promoted to Division 3 courtesy of teams in the higher leagues dropping out.

For the next 3 seasons with Ralph at the helm the team competed in Division 3 finishing between 9th and 5th in the league – the highlight of these years was a cup final appearance in season 2004-2005 which resulted in a narrow 2-1 defeat to the hands of Donacloney – the final being played at Loughgall.

Ralph stepped down at the end of the 2005-2006 season and the team was taken over by Colin "Soda" Farrell with existing player Garry Maguire becoming his assistant. The team went on to finish 5th in division 3 that year.

Colin stepped down himself at the end of the season and the team were yet again looking for a manager. Alwyn "Buns" Cardwell and Dungannon Swifts 'legend' Mark Jennings took the reigns and the team embarked on a very successful 2 years under the management of these men. The Dungannon Rovers team themselves got more professional in their approach and with their new 'home' in the Dungannon Royal British Legion a fully fledged committee was born. In Alwyn and Marks first season in charge the Rovers finished a very close 2nd in the league therefore gaining promotion to division 2 and the very next year the 2nd division league and cup double was won. This meant that Dungannon Rovers had now reached the top level in Mid Ulster junior football.

In the division 1 season 2009-2010 Alwyn and Mark managed up until Christmas before standing down from management. Stephen "Goose" Montgomery and Leslie Hegarty took over until the end of the season and the team finished a very creditable 3rd in their first season in division 1.

Again at the end of the year the Rovers were looking another manager and the committee made the decision to ask the recently retired Dale Shaw to manage the team and he gratefully accepted with Leslie Hegarty continuing on as his assistant. At the end of the season the Rovers finished a very creditable 5th place, even with this being lower than last season on the pitch the Rovers bettered everything than last year, more points, more wins, less defeats, more goals scored, less goals conceded.

Season 2011-2012 got underway and Dungannon Rovers expanded and put a reserve team into the Mid Ulster Reserve league. Dale Shaw continued as first team manager with Karl Colbert as his assistant and Leslie Hegarty ran the reserve team with Barry Fluke as his assistant. The First Team finished in 4th position in the league with the Reserves finishing a very creditable 5th.

With season 2012-2013 starting Dale gave his intention of standing down due to personal circumstances changing and Karl stood down with him. Dale stayed on as long as he could and with no new manager incoming Garry Maguire put his name forward to take on a player/manager role with Stephen Archer coming in as his assistant. With a lot of first team regulars leaving the squad from last season the target was to retain the Rovers division one status and this was done with a 9th place finish. The Reserves again finished a very creditable 5th after blooding in a lot of young players during the season.

Season 2013-2014 started with the same First Team management duo as the previous season with Tommy Cardwell coming in as Reserve Team manager. The First Team did go through another year of struggles finishing 11th but did manage to give some young players valuable first team experience whereas the Reserve Team gained promotion to Mid Ulster Reserve Division 3. Garry stood down at the end of the season to concentrate on playing again and Stephen stood down with him.

During the off season Fintan Kelly was brought in as First Team manager and optimism rose around the club with numerous new players being brought in. This strengthened both teams and the First Team finished 4th in the league with the Reserve Team under Tommy Cardwell and Sam Smyth winning Reserve Division 3 and therefore gaining promotion.

At the end of the season Fintan Kelly stood down and successful Reserve Team manager Tommy Cardwell put his name forward to take the First Team manager role with Dale Shaw coming in as his assistant. Leslie Hegarty and Paul Green have taken over the Reserve management duties. With Fintan stepping down all the players brought in by him left but with the younger Reserve Players coming of age it has lent itself to exciting times especially with the club being accepting into Intermediate football for the coming season........the story continues

Dungannon Rovers

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