Brushing up

Cliftonville Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Richard Brush.

The 33-year-old Englishman, who began his career at Coventry City but had most recently played for Ballinamallard United, has just put pen to paper on a deal at Solitude and goes straight into the team for tonight’s friendly with the Mallards.

Prior to his arrival in the Danske Bank Premiership, Brush had made his name in the League of Ireland, where he featured for Finn Harps, enjoyed no fewer than three sojourns with Sligo Rovers and, in one of his two spells in Tallaght, was part of the Shamrock Rovers side that famously graced the group stages of the Europa League in 2011.

The Birmingham-born stopper, who also includes Shrewsbury Town among his former employers, is looking forward to beginning a fresh chapter with the Reds.

“I can’t wait to get the head down again and get started,” he says.

“It’s a bit of a strange one for me to be signing for a Club just before they play my old team, but I’m really happy to be here and being involved at Cliftonville.”

Manager Barry Gray, meanwhile, says: “I’m delighted to get someone of Richard’s proven quality on board.

“I have said from the first day I came to this Club, and have repeated it all summer, we will never sign players for the sake of it and will only look to bring people in who can improve our squad.

“Having someone of Richard’s ability and experience at Cliftonville is a great boost and I’m sure his arrival will help bring out the best in everyone else.”