Institute's Robbie Hume returns to Limavady after just two games
by Orlagh Mullan
Robbie Hume has re-joined Limavady United after playing just TWO games for Institute.
Blues boss Paddy McLaughlin confirmed the striker’s departure after Tuesday night’s League Cup win over Moyola Park.
Hume scored 42 goals in United’s promotion winning season last year before signing for ‘Stute a month ago.
He made the perfect start as he hit the net just four minutes in on his first appearance against Lurgan Celtic.
He then played in the 6-1 hammering against Ballyclare Comrades on Friday before informing McLaughlin of his decision.
It’s believed that Hume approached his former boss Paul Owens in the hope of returning to the Limavady Showgrounds.
WORK COMMITMENTS
Reflecting on the departure of the prolific front man, ‘Stute manager McLaughlin said it was simply a matter of Hume being unable to fulfil the hefty training schedule of the Drumahoe outfit.
“As far as I’m led to believe due to work commitments he was finding it hard committing himself to the training that our boys are doing. It’s one thing that our boys have been excellent right throughout is their training and their commitment to training in terms of never missing a session. For him not being able to make the sessions that we’re putting on, it just wasn’t going to work,” he told the Derry News.
“It wouldn’t have been fair to the rest of the boys working hard and then not playing on a Saturday over someone who hasn’t been able to commit to the sessions. It just wasn’t going to work and trying to balance it has taken its toll on him.”
It will certainly go down as one of the shortest transfers in the club’s history, with Hume lasting less than a month on the Blues’ books, but for McLaughlin it isn’t that big of a shock.
“That’s football – you can never be surprised,” he admitted.
“He’s come in for two weeks and he’s had a go at it and fair play to him for that. We thank him for his efforts but it just didn’t work out for him. It’s his decision, not mine, so now we just cut our ties and move on.”
Before signing Hume, McLaughlin spoke of his desire to bring in an extra striker and with just one day remaining in the transfer window he feels it will be a tough ask to fill that void now.
“It is going to be difficult. It’s right down to the wire now on the final day. Any player that is out there you have to think that they are snapped up and tucked away with other clubs,” the manager said.
“It’s definitely difficult but you just never know. You keep your options open as much as you can and you’re always on the look out for players that we can add to the squad that we have.”
The departure comes at a difficult time for ‘Stute as they prepare for a trip away to league favourites Portadown on Saturday, but after that defeat to Ballyclare Comrades a week ago, McLaughlin insisted that it won’t have a major effect on his squad.
“We’ve lost ground last week and any disruption won’t be as bad as that. Anything they throw at us now, we’re big enough to take it on the chin. Aye it is a slight bump on the round, but that’s all it is – it’s only a minor obstruction and I’m sure that our boys will get over it,” he concluded.