Portadown Academy welcomes to it ranks , Wilson Beare , as Chaplain to the Academy . Wilson is a huge Portadown fan , and is director of a youth and children organisation Urban Saints Ireland . He and his wife Lesley and 2 boys Caleb and Jude are based in Portadown and attend Emmanuel Church in Lurgan.

Wilson spent his early years in Belfast before moving to Ballinamallard Co Fermanagh were he attended Portora Royal School, following that studying at Queens University in Belfast. Following his studies he moved to Toxteth in Liverpool were he spent a year doing youth work in the area and coaching at a local youth team.

Wilson came up through the Ballinamallard Youth set Up progressing to the senior squads in the fermanagh and western leagues and on a few occasions in the old Irish B division before moving away. He also enjoyed and opportunity to represent his county at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup.

Wilson’s role is to provide a pastoral role within the academy aimed at the care and welfare of players and staff. He is supported within the club by Rev Ken Crowe who is the Chaplain to the senior club and by Sports Chaplaincy UK

“since moving to the area a number of years ago have become a huge fan of my local club and enjoy following them round the country. I have a massive heart for young people and seeing them become all they can be in every aspect of life, i am therefore delighted to be able to serve the club through the role of chaplaincy within the Academy”

The Academy are thrilled with the appointment of Wilson and trust that you will welcome him to the club, Wilson has no agenda other than to serve the Academy we trust and that he can be of significant value to the young players and their families in the months and years ahead.