There is no better man for the Ballymena job than Jim Ervin: Carrick’s Mark Surgenor

Mark Surgenor believes Jim Ervin has managed his resources well at Ballymena United

Mark Surgenor will come up against former club Ballymena United on Friday evening

Mark Surgenor says he has plenty of sympathy and understanding for the task faced by his old club Ballymena United and their rookie manager Jim Ervin.

The Carrick Rangers defender is himself involved in a fight in the Premiership’s bottom six but precious points have been hard to come by at The Showgrounds.

United sit joint bottom with Newry City, with the two sides both struggling to find momentum.

Stuart King’s men are at Warden Street on Friday night looking to prolong the Sky Blues’ misery.

But Surgenor believes the Braidmen will keep fighting hard, despite the formidable challenge ahead.

“I was talking to a Coleraine fan and he was laughing about how fickle fans can be,” said Surgenor, who has clocked up more than 400 Irish League appearances.

“Some supporters were complaining about Matthew Shevlin last season and now they recognise they are missing him.

“Opinions can change. Maybe United feel they are underperforming but Jim (Ervin) lost good players who were not replaced.

“Ballymena have lost sponsors and money men, which was a massive blow. The club is starting again with a new board and squad.

“Jim is the captain of the ship, trying to steer them in the right direction and I think he has done really well.

“The players are fighting for him, they just have a lack of financial resources and squad depth.

“I’m not being patronising when I say the club is doing okay as I felt it was a mess at the end of last season, not so much on the pitch but with the uncertainty behind the scenes.

“Jim knew what the battles were and you won’t see him moaning. He’s