Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey has given a withering response to rumours linking David Parkhouse with a summer move to Cliftonville, branding them “off-season nonsense”.
Parkhouse joined the Sky Blues on a three-year deal from Derry City for last summer and scored seven goals in 23 appearances after recovering from a serious knee injury in August.
Twitter chatter suggested a few days ago that the 22-year-old could be heading for the exit door following Larne striker Davy McDaid’s arrival at the Showgrounds.
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But Jeffrey offered an emphatic response when asked if there was any substance to the recent rumours linking Parkhouse with a shock move to Paddy McLaughlin’s Reds.
“Off-season nonsense,” he told Ballymena United TV. “I really don’t want to go into it too deeply but as I understand it there was a Tweet out talking about ‘interest’.
“Just let me be very clear. I have spoken with Patrick McLaughlin from Cliftonville and I have also spoken with Daniel Fletcher, David’s agent, and I think we’re now all very clear.
“Why would we go and get David Parkhouse last year, pay a transfer fee and put him on a three year contract?
“Why having had an horrendous injury at the start of the season and taking time to get him back to fitness, why would we (let him go)?
“People could see when he wasn’t even fully fit (after injury) the contribution David could make, so why would we even consider that? He has another two years of his contract left.
“I don’t know. Some of the silliness, I’m not even sure I should be commenting on it, to tell you the truth.”
Ballymena United have been the busiest club in the summer transfer market so far with five new arrivals and five departures.
Larne striker McDaid, Carrick Rangers forward Jordan Gibson, Coleraine midfielder Evan Tweed and Linfield’s Jake Corbett were all snapped up earlier this week.
And they were joined last night by experienced Crusaders goalkeeper Sean O’Neill who has penned a three year deal with the Sky Blues.
O’Neill, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Showgrounds, has brought the curtain down on 11 years service at Seaview.
You can watch the full interview with David Jeffrey on Ballymena United TV by clicking HERE.
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