Gary Hamilton (footballer, born 1980)

Gary Hamilton (born 6 October 1980) is a Northern Irish footballer and former manager who plays for Mid-Ulster Football League side Hill Street FC. Hamilton was player-manager of NIFL Premiership side Glenavon from 2011 to 2023.

Career
Hamilton currently holds the Irish Premiership record for the number of goals scored in a match, scoring six for Portadown against Omagh Town in October 2004.

In 2006, he moved to Glentoran, having previously played for Portadown, Raufoss IL, Rochdale and Blackburn Rovers. He gained five international caps between 2003 and 2004, having previously represented Northern Ireland at every other level.

He scored for Glentoran in the Europa League in July 2010, before moving to Glenavon on a season-long loan where he made an immediate impact, scoring nine goals in ten competitive starts winning Carling Player of the Month for December 2010.

Hamilton is a Glenavon and Everton fan.

He joined his hometown club, Glenavon, on a season-long loan for the 2010–11 season. He signed a new deal with Glentoran in August 2011.

Managerial career
On 15 December 2011, Hamilton was appointed player-manager of Glenavon after the resignation of Marty Quinn. His first match in charge was on 17 December 2011, against Linfield at Windsor Park. Linfield won the match 1–0.

However, his first win in charge came in the very next game, as the Lurgan Blues defeated Crusaders 3–2 at Mourneview Park on 20 December 2011.

In 2014, Hamilton guided Glenavon to victory in the 2013–14 Irish Cup, the clubs first winning campaign in the tournament since 1997. He repeated this success in 2016, defeating David Healy's Linfield 2–0 in the final.

On 4 March 2021, Hamilton signed a three-year extension to his contract at Glenavon. The extension granted Hamilton to stay at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season. Following a difficult start to the 2023–24 season, Gary departed as manager on 13 September 2023.

Honours
Portadown
 * Irish League: 2001–02
 * Irish Cup: 2004–05

Glentoran
 * Irish League/IFA Premiership: 2008–09
 * Irish League Cup: 2006–07, 2009–10
 * County Antrim Shield: 2007–08, 2010–11

Glenavon
 * Irish Cup: 2013–14, 2015–16
 * Mid-Ulster Cup: 2010–11, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020-21