Former Linfield duo McAllister and Gault sign for Ports

Mark McAllister signed for Portadown on Wednesday night, just hours after former Linfield team-mate Michael Gault joined the Shamrock Road club.

Striker McAllister and midfielder Gault were among five players released by new Blues boss Warren Feeney last week.

McAllister has joined the Ports on a three-year deal while Gault signed a two-year contract.

The pair will be reunited with Robert Garrett, another midfielder who recently left Linfield for Portadown.

McAllister, 26, moved from Dungannon Swifts to the Blues in a £35,000 transfer in 2009 and scored 54 goals in 209 matches under David Jeffrey.

Matthew Tipton, James Knowles and Kyle McVey were also let go by the Windsor Park club.

Striker Tipton has joined Ballymena United while another Linfield player, defender Billy Joe Burns, has signed for Crusaders.

Gault's departure came after manager Feeney revealed the club had failed to agree terms on a new contract with their skipper.

The 31-year-old midfielder played 480 games for Linfield and his arrival at Portadown will be regarded a something of a coup for Shamrock Park boss Ronnie McFall.

The Ports narrowly missed out on a place in the Europa League as they finished the season in fourth place.

McFall said he had wanted to strengthen his midfield and that new signing Gault was in his prime.

Meanwhile, McFall has confirmed that Kieran Harding will remain as his assistant after speculation he would depart Shamrock Park.