Chris Lavery and Chris Crane sign two-year contract extensions with Portadown

Portadown have announced that they have handed new two-year contracts to Chris Lavery and Chris Crane.

Lavery is at Shamrock Park since 2017 having signed from Glentoran. He previously has lined out for Lurgan Celtic, Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon.

Having first made his Portadown debut in August 2017, Lavery has gone onto amass 83 appearances while scoring 26 goals.

Crane, meanwhile, is a more recent addition to the side having first signed in 2019. A former U19 international left back for Northern Ireland, the 21 year old played 27 times last season before the season was curtailed following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manager Matthew Tipton is delighted to have secured their signatures after seeing first hand how important they have been to his side this past season.

“Cricky is a young man who probably flew under the radar for most of last season but his value was massively appreciated in the dressing room & certainly amongst the staff.

“The best compliment I can pay him is that I can only remember him having one bad game all season. Add to that the fact he supplied many assists I believe he’s going to be a valuable asset to us.

“Chris Lavery has the ability on his day to be our match winner single handedly & for me there is no better sight than one of Chris flying past the full back & putting crosses into the box & it’s a sight I want to see more of next season & beyond.”