Making friends for life was the main enjoyment as a player and I'm now looking forward to being a first-team coach, says Loughgall's Ally Teggart as he enters a new journey in football

The 37-year-old called time on his career at the end of the 2023/24 campaign after representing the likes of Portadown, Ballymena United, Dungannon Swifts and Loughgall across more than two decades in the local game.

Teggart - who operated as a winger or left-back - admits he nearly retired a year ago but wanted to stay on as Loughgall competed in the top flight of the local game for the first time since 2007.

"Retirement comes to every player at some point and to be honest, I have thought about it for the last couple of years," he said.

"However, we got promoted at Loughgall last year and I wanted one more crack at it in the Premiership.

"I had three fantastic years at Loughgall, we had a fantastic changing room but around Christmas time I had thoughts about retiring and taking that step away.

"I informed Dean (Smith) what was happening and I'm glad it's my own decision rather than having to retire through injury or something like that.

"I never changed my mind thereafter but I'll probably miss the routine of training on a Tuesday and Thursday, then a match on the Saturday as that's all I've been used to for the last 22 years."

Teggart made bow in senior football under the management of Ronnie McFall as a 15-year-old at Portadown, before winning further silverware at Ballymena United and Dungannon Swifts.

The challenge of getting Loughgall promoted to the top flight would be the next challenge for the Markethill man and they did exactly that in 2022/23.

Dean Smith's troops would prove all the doubters wrong as they clinched Premiership safety with five games to go as Teggart's career ended on a high note.

Despite football being known for trophies and winners' medals - Teggart says gaining friends for life has been the biggest accolade.

He remarked: "It's a career that I look back on fondly. I've enjoyed the highs and embraced the lows.

"I've been very fortunate to meet great people both on and off the pitch, whilst creating friends for life due to football.

"I started under Ronnie at Portadown and won the League Cup and was there for eight years before moving to Ballymena.

"Unfortunately, Roy Walker wasn't in the post for long and he was replaced by Glenn Ferguson and I enjoyed four years there.

"Winning the League Cup with Dungannon Swifts was so special and along with Loughgall, it's four clubs that I hold close.

"Whilst I won trophies at the clubs I was at, I reflect more on the friendships I've made and to play for as long as I did, not many can say that so I'm grateful.

"The decision to retire was obviously a difficult one...but I know it's the right one."

Teggart will remain at Loughgall as first-team coach as he replaces Nicky Maye in Smith's backroom staff for the challenges ahead.

The well-spoken midfielder outlined how the opportunity was too good to turn down - although his wife might disagree.

"It wasn't a natural transition," he explained. "I spoke to a few clubs about taking an under-age team but also thought about taking a complete break as I have a young family.

"However, when Dean asked me I felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down and I'm excited about continuing my journey in the game.

"It's going to be a weird transition at the start from a player to a coach but I wanted to stay within sport and I've taken the chance to do that.

"It might not have been the easiest conversation with the wife but she understands it's what I enjoy.

"Pre-season starts next Saturday and I'm looking forward to it, so hopefully I can pass on my experience to the younger players in the squad."