| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ronald Joseph McFall | ||
| Date of birth | 3 October 1947 | ||
| Place of birth | Portadown, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1964–1965 | Portadown | 4 | (0) |
| 1965–1967 | Dundee United | 0 | (0) |
| 1967–1968 | Ards | ||
| 1968–1975 | Portadown | ||
| 1975–1979 | Glentoran | 72 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| Northern Ireland Youth | |||
| 1974 | Irish League XI | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1979–1984 | Glentoran | ||
| 1986–2016 | Portadown | ||
| 2018–2019 | Glentoran | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ronald Joseph McFall MBE[1] (born 3 October 1947)[2] is a former football player and former manager of NIFL Premiership sides Glentoran and Portadown. He was most notably manager of hometown club Portadown for 29 years from December 1986 until his resignation in March 2016. At the time of his resignation he was the longest-serving manager in European club football, having held the record ever since Alex Ferguson stood down as Manchester United manager in 2013.[3] He had two spells managing Glentoran, between 1979 and 1984 and 2018 and 2019.
As a player, McFall represented Portadown (twice), Dundee United, Ards, Glentoran (becoming Irish League champion with the latter). Managing in Irish League football for over 30 years, McFall is amongst the most successful managers in the history of the Irish League having claimed five league titles, four Irish Cups and 20 other trophies during his time with Glentoran and Portadown. McFall was the first person to be rewarded the freedom of the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area for his immense contribution to sport. He is also a five time Manager of the Year award winner, and the uncle of current Portadown defender Ross Redman.