Archer has 'no regrets' after leaving Linfield
‘I think it was the right move’
JOSH Archer has no regrets leaving Linfield behind to join Ballymena United - and the results speak for themselves!
He has already scored more goals for the Sky Blues in 11 games than he managed in 77 for his former club.
Archer was one of five players who swapped Windsor Park – where he played a key role in Linfield’s 2024/25 title joy – for The Showgrounds during the most recent transfer window and has wasted no time in making an impact.
Typically deployed in a deeper position at the Blues, the presence of Fuad Sule in Ballymena’s midfield has allowed Archer to progress further up the pitch to great effect.
The former Northern Ireland U21 international felt the time was right for a change of scenery last summer and has already matched his best-ever Premiership season goal return, which was three while on loan at Portadown during the 2022/23 campaign
However, Archer certainly isn’t resting on his laurels amid a personal target for further improvement.
"It probably was difficult (to leave Linfield), but I knew that I needed something to progress me as a player,” he said.
“I think it was the right move.
"That was another big reason (for the move), Oran gives me the licence to get forward and I've chipped in with a few goals and assists, hopefully I can keep that run going and continue to do that.
"When I was younger, I was an attacking midfielder, more of a number eight, a box-to-box type of player, and Oran is letting me do that, which is enjoyable.
"It’s probably very similar (to my time at Portadown), Niall (Currie) gave me the opportunity to do that and now the same with Oran, I think that's where I'm best.
"Oran and all of the staff have been great with me. I think they're getting the best out of me, but I still think I've more to get to...they're pushing me in the right direction.”
Ballymena started the season with a statement 3-0 victory away at Linfield but then failed to win any of their following six league matches.
However, they’ve now picked up some impressive results of late – the sole 3-2 defeat to Limavady United and this week's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bangor not withstanding – and Archer believes a new-look squad is starting to hit its stride.
"I think we're getting there,” added Archer.
“We've had a couple of tough results, games that we should be winning, especially a couple where we have been up by one or two and threw it away, which was disappointing.
"But I think over the last couple of weeks, we're starting to do both sides of the game.
"We're scoring more goals now and we're keeping it out of the net more.
"Hopefully we can continue to do that, we want to just keep putting the points on the board and see where it takes us.”