The club is delighted to announce that our young forward Ben Cushnie has signed professional forms and will be promoted to the first-team squad for the 2019/20 season.
Ben signed for Glentoran in January 2013 at the age of 11 from Lisburn Youth after catching the eye of then 2001 team manager and current Academy Development Manager Stephen Lowry. He joined a team that already included Mal Smith, Lewis McGarvey, Sean Gallagher, Ethan Warnock and Paul McLaughlin who have also gone on to make first-team appearances.
He has enjoyed incredible success within the Academy as part of a team that won 4 NIBFA Cups in 5 seasons and finished Runners Up in a UEFA club competition in Berlin.
Ben has represented County Down at both Junior and Premier levels and was part of the Down team that made the SuperCup NI final last summer. He has also enjoyed international recognition during his time at the Academy having played for Northern Ireland up to U18 Schoolboy level.
Ben's creativity and ability to find the net on a regular basis earned him several top scorer awards through the Academy and also caught the eye of Man United and Liverpool who had him in their Belfast centres and also Blackburn Rovers who took Ben across to Lancashire on several trial periods.
Ben currently attends the Football Management Company sports development course at Laurelhill College and has spent the last two seasons in our u20 side. Head Coach Mick McDermott said of Cushnie: “Ben has trained with our 1st team all preseason and taken part in several games. It was clear to us that he had ability, but with any young player, you can never really tell until you ‘put their feet in the fire’ of competitive games.
Ben showed his talent in those games; along with a desire, commitment and attitude that has been first class. If he stays humble and maintains his good habits, I’m sure he has a bright future with ...and beyond … Glentoran.
He is a credit to his parents and GFC academy! I look forward to seeing his career develop
U20 Manager David Lowry spoke highly of Ben when asked about his signing "Ben has always been an eye-catching player throughout his time in the Academy with his ability to run with the ball, pick out killer passes around the penalty area and how knack of coming up with big goals. He has always been very dedicated and trains hard, he is determined to be a success and with his ability, I have no doubt he has the potential to be a big hit with the club.
He is the type of player Glenmen will enjoy as he can create something out of nothing in the final third. He has grown in stature and confidence particularly over the last 18 months in the u20s and became a key player for us with his ability to play anywhere across the front line. In the opening game of last season Ben was on the bench due to his participation in the SuperCup with County Down and we trailed Cliftonville 2-0 at Solitude at half time. we put Ben on at half time and within 15 minutes of the second half, he has scored twice and assisted a third to have us 3-2 in front. On his day he is fearless and direct and loves to take defenders on and that game is just an example of the impact he can have. I wish Ben every success and am particularly pleased for his parents and younger brother Sam who follow Ben everywhere and have certainly helped Ben get to where he is”.
Congratulations Ben. We’re all proud of you.
