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| Full name | Ballymena United Football Club | ||
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| Ground | Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena, County Antrim (Capacity: 5200) |
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| Chairman | Robert Cupples | ||
| Manager |  Roy Walker |
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| League | IFA Premiership | ||
| 2008/09 | 10th | ||
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Ballymena United is a football club in Northern Ireland, playing in the IFA Premiership. Ballymena United hail from the town of Ballymena and play their home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white.
The club was founded on 7 April 1928, originally called simply Ballymena Football Club. After a dispute during the 1933-34 season, when the club were found to be paying amateur players, the club was thrown out of the league and was reconstituted as Ballymena United in 1934.
The club's manager since 20 May 2008 has been Roy Walker. Previous manager Tommy Wright, the former Northern Ireland international goalkeeper, resigned following United's final game of the 2007/08 season; the club initially announced Wright's assistant Jim Grattan as his successor until the appointment was vetoed by Grattan's full time employers, the Irish Football Association.[1]
The club's main rival is Coleraine, with the highlight of the season the "local derby", which falls on Boxing Day each year.
Ballymena has yet to win the Irish League title, but has been runner-up twice. The club has been successful in the Irish Cup, however, six times since the club's inception, most recently in 1989.
United is generally considered one of the better-supported clubs in Northern Ireland and has a large vocal support in the form of the "Sky Blue Crew" who follow the fortunes of the team both home and away.
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Club history
The Early Years (1928-1934)
BALLYMENA Football Club was formed on 7 April 1928, when four local businessmen and football enthusiasts decided that the town of Ballymena needed a senior football team in the Irish League.
Four men - Albert McClelland, DB Elliott, John Gordon and James McIlhagga - tapped into the popular mood of the period that the time had arrived for Ballymena to be represented in senior circles. The newly formed club took the place of Barn FC in the Irish League for the 1928/1929 season. The new club gathered together a number of players from the area and further afield and played their first competitive game on 20 August, 1928 in front of a packed Ballymena Showgrounds, against reigning Irish League champions Belfast Celtic; the ‘Light Blues’ lost the game 3-0.
However, five days later Ballymena gained their first point in a 2-2 away to Larne and created another landmark when Jimmy McCambridge scored the club's first ever goal. The first win for the new club came in early September when the Braidmen defeated Ards 2-1 at Castlereagh Park; this sparked a remarkable 12-match unbeaten run which lasted until December, the Sky Blues finished a highly respectable 6th in the 14 team Irish League in their debut season, but it was the Irish Cup which saw the ‘Ballymena Babes’ shine. Ballymena defeated Glentoran, Broadway United and Coleraine en-route to a final showdown with League Champions Belfast Celtic at Solitude. A remarkable 2-1 victory over Celtic followed with goals from Jamie Shiels and ‘Hoody’ McCambridge as Ballymena FC lifted the showpiece trophy in their first season as a senior club. A replica of the trophy was produced and awarded to the club for winning the Irish Cup in their first season.
To round the season off, and in a tribute to the impact Ballymena caused on the local scene, Kilmarnock visited the Showgrounds in late April as Scottish Cup holders and carved out a narrow 1-0 win over Ballymena, the Irish Cup holders – the first ever club programme was produced for this game. A few days later in what was billed as an All-Ireland Cup final the Light Blues travelled to Dublin and defeated their Southern counterparts, Shamrock Rovers, 2-1 with goals from Joe Cassidy and Jamie Shiels.
The following year, the Braidmen defied all odds when they made it to the Irish Cup final for the second time, having defeated Derry City, Belfast Celtic and Newry Town to reach the final against Linfield, who had already been crowned Irish League champions. Ballymena were unlucky at Solitude as they lost 4-3 to the Windsor Park Blues, with goals from Davy Reid and Jamie Shiels (2). Despite the optimism that now followed Ballymena following their successes last season they finished fifth in the table and produced a number of scintillating high-scoring performances throughout the season. That season McCambridge became the first full international to play for the club when he was capped for Ireland in their 7-0 victory over Wales in February 1930, the free-scoring Larne man would move to Everton during the summer of 1930.
The 1930/1931 campaign was much the same as the previous season from the men from the Braid as they scored goals freely but could only manage another fifth place finish for their efforts and remarkably a third consecutive Irish Cup final appearance. However, this was arguably the most forgettable of the three cup finals as a poor effort saw Ballymena lose to Linfield again by three goals without reply. The following season brought wholesale changes at the Showgrounds; despite a poor start to the 1931/1932 season the team began to gel in September and went on a seven game winning streak. Now renowned as ‘cup specialists’ the Light Blues reached the final of the Gold Cup, eventually losing 3-0 to nearby rivals, Coleraine. Despite an early exit from the Irish Cup for the first time, Ballymena continued to threaten a very competitive league, finishing sixth. Ballymena stalwart Jock McNinch became the second player to be capped for Ireland in February 1931 – he won two further caps to become Ballymena’s most capped player, a record which still stands to this day.
Despite a bright start the 1932/1933 campaign proved to be the leanest so far during the club's very short history. Early exits in all the cup competitions and failure to challenge in the Irish League summarised a disappointing season for Ballymena. Little did anyone realise in August 1933 what the importance of the following nine months in the history of Ballymena FC. This was to be the last season in which the club took part in senior football, indeed less than a year later the club didn’t exist at all. Only three defeats in the opening twenty games pointed to the distinct possibility of silverware once again but after Christmas things turned sour with only five wins between then and the end of the season as another fifth place finish was their reward.
Liquidation, United and the War (1934-1946)
In 1934, club chairman Albert McClelland was overheard making a remark that something had to be done to curb the payments to amateurs. When word of his comments reached the Irish League they immediately suspended the club and demanded that they hand over their accounts for inspection. Ballymena’s directors refused claiming that they were being made scapegoats for a practice which was widespread among the other clubs in the Irish League. Failure to meet the deadline for the presentation of accounts stipulated by the League resulted in Ballymena’s dismissal from senior football. Immediately attempts were made to reinstate the club but when these were rejected it was suggested that the club be renamed Ballymena United and merge with a junior club, Ballymena Crusaders. Happily this was acceptable to the League authorities although in reality it was virtually the same club as before with the same ground, same players and same management.
Taking over the senior place vacated by Ballymena FC the previous season Ballymena United approached the new season with some confidence. The new club took an unprecedented step by appointing a manager which was a departure from the previous practice of team selection by committee. The man in charge was Joe Millar who arrived from Bournemouth & Boscombe and had previously been capped for Ireland, Millar used many of his contacts in Scotland to bring an influx of Scottish players to the Showgrounds. However, despite these new players and an Irish Cup semi-final appearance United suffered in their first season finishing a disappointing tenth in the League, their lowest finish to date. The 1934/1935 also seen the introduction of the Reserve side at the Showgrounds.
The 1935/1936 season was to be just as disheartening for United supporters as the club finished tenth again in the League table, and failed to progress in the majority of the cup competitions. If the previous season was one to forget, any hope that 1936/1937 would bring any cheer where dashed during the close season with the departure of Jock McNinch to Sligo Rovers. McNinch was leaving the club after 315 games and with him the last remaining link to the ‘old’ Ballymena side. During the summer his contribution to the club was recognised when the club granted him a testimonial, the first such gesture by United.
Ballymena United finished bottom of the Irish League for the first time, after managing only four league wins over the course of the season. An Irish Cup run to the semi-final stage, before elimination to the mighty Belfast Celtic was the only cheer for the Light Blues. They carried this disastrous form into the following season when they suffered a record defeat to Derry City (1-9) and losing the next six games before the board appointed Steve Mitchell as player-manager – he instantly turned things around as Ballymena won 14 of their next 17 games. Unfortunately despite their Championship form they rose from bottom to fifth in the table, only 8 points behind eventual winners Belfast Celtic. The club also made their first appearance in the final of the County Antrim Shield though lost 3-2 to Linfield.
This run of confidence ran all the way through to the following season, as Ballymena United nearly completed an historic double of the Irish League and Irish Cup – eventually finishing runners-up in both competitions. Finishing an agonising five points behind Belfast Celtic in the league race and a fourth Irish Cup final saw a third defeat to Linfield in the showpiece event, this time a 2-0 defeat at Solitude. However, one year on Ballymena United went one better by lifting the 1940 Irish Cup after a 2-0 win over Glenavon in which Sclater and Moore. This was the last 'proper' Irish Cup before province wide football was suspended due to World War Two. United were not to kick a ball in anger again until the 1946/1947 season. The club withdrew from the Irish League shortly after the end of the season when the Showgrounds was taken over to assist the war effort. One can only wonder this squad of players could have achieved if given another couple of seasons together.
United Post-War (1946-1957)
Ballymena United did not return to the League until 1946/1947, when they returned to the Belfast & District League for one season, before the Irish League reformed the following year. United's squad was built up, only to be released by Bob McKay in 1947. The replacements beat Linfield 2-0 in the County Antrim Shield Final - bringing their first trophy other than the Irish Cup to the Showgrounds.
A third place finish that season had many believing that United would pick up where they left off, becoming the biggest provincial side in the country; Having been the first team outside of Belfast to win the County Antrim Shield. However, a series of poor seasons was stopped in 1951 with the club's second County Antrim Shield - beating Cliftonville 2-0.
Despite the fact that the Irish League had not left Celtic Park between 1936 and 1948; Belfast Celtic were forced to leave the Irish League and Ballymena benefited by grabbing some of their talented players, including a new player-manager Billy McMillan. McMillan was replaced by the experienced Walter Rickett after two seasons. United reached the Irish Cup Final in 1951, only to be beaten by Glentoran 3-1 at Windsor Park, with their only goal coming from Currie.
The following season, Ballymena United won the Festival of Britain Cup, beating Crusaders 3-0 at Solitude. The one-off competition was played in 1952 to coincide with the Festival celebrations throughout Great Britain, and the trophy still resides at the Showgrounds.
However, after this victory United went through another bleak period in the mid 1950's as United finished bottom of the league twice. In 1955 the club was forced to launch an appeal to clear its mounting debts - the Ballymena people responded - debts were paid and a small amount was left over to go into the club's coffers.
New beginnings (1957–1969)
In 1957, Scottish born Alex McCrae took over as player-manager of Ballymena United. McCrae had been a successful inside-forward for Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough in his playing days. He brought instant success to the Braid, as Ballymena finished third and won the Irish Cup in 1957/1958.
The 1958 Irish Cup-winning team was deemed one of the best Ballymena United teams ever to grace the Showgrounds, and it deservedly beat Jackie Milburn’s Linfield in the showpiece final – with McGhee and Russell scoring the goals in a 2-0 win at the Oval in front of 24,000 spectators.
The next year, another impressive team marched on to another Irish Cup final (the club's eighth final). The Sky Blues were expected to beat Glenavon in a Windsor Park final, but United drew 1-1 and lost the replay 0-2.
Former Liverpool legend, Geoff Twentyman, then came along as manager and brought the Ulster Cup to the Showgrounds in 1960 with a 3-1 win over Glenavon. Barr grabbed two final goals while McKinstry picked up the other. The following season, the Sky Blues were only two points away from winning the Irish League for the first time – finishing third in 1961/62.
Twentyman's success did not continue and he was replaced in time by George Smyth, Dave Hickson, Alex Parker, and Dave Hickson again. Despite this hunt for success, manager after manager failed, as the Braidmen constantly finished mid-table in the Irish League, with only one trophy in the 1960s. McCrae was then brought back to end another period of failure at the Warden Street Showgrounds.
The Wait Goes On (2000-Present)
Fraser's replacement and the man set to lead Ballymena United into the new century was former Glenavon and Bangor manager, Nigel Best who was appointed in May 1999. However with his predecessor's aging side starting to break up and with little money to finance quality replacements; it was little surprise when Best's team struggled badly during the 1999/2000 campaign. Striker and talisman Glenn Hunter proved his worth by almost single-handedly keeping the Sky Blues in the division, as United avoided relegation on the final day of the season after defeating Portadown at Shamrock Park to maintain top-flight status amidst wild scenes of jubilation.
More departures followed the following summer and despite an encouraging start to the 2000/2001 season, United's frailties caught up with them and Nigel Best was sacked after an unacceptable run of results in December 2000, cumulating with a 5-2 defeat to Newry Town. Bizarrely the club appointed unqualified club physiotherapist George Magill was caretaker-manager until a suitable successor to Best could be found; Glenn Hunter, who had taken time out of the game to pursue a fire-fighting career would act as Magill's assistant. In January 2001, former Coleraine manager Kenny Shiels took the reins of the Showgrounds side with the sole aim of keeping the Braidmen in the Premier League. Despite a late flurry in the final weeks of the campaign Ballymena just weren't good enough and suffered relegation to the First Division after failing to defeat Portadown at home, when a win would have at least guaranteed another shot at survival in the play-offs.
It proved a season of rebuilding in the second-tier of Irish League football as the erratic Shiels made a number of 'big-name' signings which all flopped before the eyes of the supporters; former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Tommy Wright, former Leeds United defender Paul Beesley and Liberian striker Leon Browne all failed miserably to make an impact at the Braid. This left Shiels with a number of totally inexperienced teenagers fighting his cause, however despite their best efforts, slumped to a dismal fifth place finish during the 2001/2002 season – Ballymena United's lowest ever placing in their history.
Despite the previous season’s disappointment, Shiels’ side bounced back with style the following season. Buoyed by the completion of an impressive new 2,000 seated stand at the Showgrounds, the free-scoring Sky Blues were playing an exciting and unstoppable brand of football, however finished the season with little to show for their season as they finished runners-up in the Ulster Cup, County Antrim Shield and First Division. The league campaign was particularly sickening, despite promotion, for Ballymena fans as they were leading the table for many weeks, only to capitulate to Dungannon Swifts during the final run-in. Media attention also circled around starlet striker Shea Campbell who bagged 38 goals and a Northern Ireland Under-21 cap as he was being hawked to moves across the water and also in the Irish League before committing himself to the Sky Blues.
Promotion back to the restricted sixteen team Premier League proved difficult at first for Shiels and his untested side – however the influence from former Nottingham Forest forward Nigel Jemson proved key to Ballymena’s success during the 2003/2004 campaign as they equalled their best placed finish in the Premier League by finishing sixth and also gaining a return to European competition for the first time in 15 years through the Intertoto Cup. Ballymena travelled to Danish side Odense in June 2004 and produced a remarkable scoreless draw against the full-time side – only to lose the home second leg heavily with Spanish side Villarreal waiting in the next round. Shiels was given the finance to attempt to bring the Gibson Cup to Mid-Antrim for the first time and signed a number of quality local players in Rory Hamill, Gary Smyth, Gordon Simms and Tim McCann but his team didn’t not produce a return on his investment and eventually cost Shiels his job after four and half seasons at the helm. The final nail in the coffin was the Irish Cup semi-final defeat to minnows Larne at the Oval, as the Braidmen finished a disappointing eighth after a season that had promised so much.
Former Northern Ireland and Ballymena United goalkeeper Tommy Wright took over as manager on a full-time basis – a first for the club. Despite a slow start, he stamped his authority on the side bringing a number of new players in including a young Scottish striker Kevin Kelbie, who’s goals in the second half of the season almost fired United to their first trophy in 17 years when they agonisingly lost the County Antrim Shield final to Linfield at Seaview. A credible seventh place was reward for Wright's work over the course of the 2005/2006 season.
The following year proved disappointing as the club failed to make any progression to becoming a side capable of winning trophies after finishing ninth, the highlight of the season was the visit of English Premier League side Manchester City to Warden Street as part of the transfer deal that took goalkeeper Richard McKinney to England eight years earlier. The next season though saw Wright’s side finally come of age as after an incredible 4-2 victory at the Oval on New Year’s Day 2008 they looked like potential title challengers. This was to be the pinnacle of the success as teenage sensation Johnny Flynn was sold to Blackburn Rovers and Wright was linked with a move to Norwich City. Although the manager signed a new contract in January his team collapsed in their pursuit of success and Wright resigned in April 2008 only to re-emerge at Norwich a few months later.
Honours
Senior honours
- Irish Cup: 6
- 1928/29, 1939/40, 1957/58, 1980/81, 1983/84, 1988/89
- City Cup: 1
- 1971/72
- Gold Cup: 1
- 1974/75
- Ulster Cup: 2
- 1960/61, 1980/81
- Festival of Britain Cup: 1
- 1951/52
- Irish League First Division: 1
- 1996/97
- County Antrim Shield: 4
- 1947/48, 1950/51, 1975/76, 1979/80
- Irish News Cup: 1
- 1997/98
Intermediate honours
- IFA Reserve League: 1
- 2006/07†
- Steel & Sons Cup: 1
- 1995/96†
- Louis Moore Cup: 1
- 1952/53†
- George Wilson Cup: 2
- 1989/90†, 1990/91†
† Won by Ballymena United Reserves
Club staff
Club Officials and Office Bearers
- President:
- Vice-Presidents: Norman McBurney, Billy Anderson
- Chairman: Robert Cupples
- Vice-Chairman: Maurice Smyth
- Treasurer: Noel Millar
- Company Secretary: Kenny Whitbread
- Football Secretary: Don Stirling
- PR Officer: Brian Thompson
- PA Announcer: Davy "Kingo" King
- Chief Steward: Adrian Scullion
- Community Relations: Iain Black
Coaching staff
- First-Team Manager: Roy Walker
- First Team Assistant Manager: Jim Grattan
- First Team Coach: Billy Sinclair
- Sports Therapist: Michael Lavery
- Reserve Team Manager: Colin Sewell
- Reserve Team Assistant Manager: David Woods
- Youth Team Manager: Mervyn Logan
- Yourh Team Assistant Manager: Mark Carlisle
- Team Attendant: Bertnal Thompson
Managerial history
| Dates | Name | Dates | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008– | Roy Walker |
1983 |  Alec Donald (Caretaker) |
| 2008 | Jim Grattan | 1983 | Ian Russell |
| 2005–2008 | Tommy Wright |
1983 | Alec Donald (Caretaker) |
| 2001-2005 | Kenny Shiels | 1982-1983 | Ivan Murray |
| 2000-2001 | George Magill (Caretaker) | 1979-1982 | Alan Campbell |
| 1999-2000 | Nigel Best | 1979 | Ivan Murray & Alex McKee (Caretakers) |
| 1999 | Shay Hamill (Caretaker) | 1977-1979 | Billy Johnston |
| 1995-1999 | Alan Fraser | 1977 | Alex McKee (Caretaker) |
| 1994-1995 | Gary Erwin | 1976-1977 | Eddie Russell |
| 1993-1994 | Tommy Jackson |
1971-1976 | Arthur Stewart |
| 1991-1993 | Jim Hagan |
1969-1971 | Alex McCrae |
| 1987-1991 | Alex McKee |
1968-1969 | Alex Parker |
| 1985-1987 | Jimmy Brown | 1960-1963 |  Geoff Twentyman |
| 1984-1985 | Alan Campbell | 1957-1960 | Alex McCrae |
| 1983-1984 | Jim Platt |
1951-1957 | Walter Rickett |
Records
- Record Home League Victory: 8-0 v Cliftonville, (18 September 1965); 8-0 v Glenavon, (8 March 1975); 8-0 v Distillery, (8 December 1979)
- Record Away League Victory: 8-0 Newry Town, (17 December 1994)
- Record Home League Defeat: 0-8 Belfast Celtic, (5 November 1938)
- Record Away League Defeat: 1-9 Derry City, (23 August 1937); 0-8 Ards, (12 February 1949)
- Most Goals Scored in a Season: 82 in 26 matches (1939/40)
- Fewest Goals Scored in a Season: 20 in 22 matches (1976/77)
- Most Goals Conceded in a Season: 87 in 26 matches (1936/37)
- Fewest Goals Conceded in a Season: 21 in 22 matches (1980/81)
- Most Clean Sheets in a Season: 9 in 22 matches (1980/81)
- Most Wins in a Season: 15 in 26 matches (1938/39) & (1939/40)
- Fewest Wins in a Season: 3 in 22 matches (1956/57)
- Most Defeats in a Seaosn: 20 in 26 matches (1936/37)
- Fewest Defeats in a Season: 4 in 22 matches (1961/62),(1962/63)& (1979/80)
- Most Draws in a Season: 16 in 36 matches (1999/2000)
- Most Capped Player: 3 Joe McNinch - Northern Ireland
Leading Goalscorers By Season
| Season | Name | Goals | Season | Name | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008/2009 | Neil Teggart |
12 | 1991/1992 | Neil Candlish |
18 |
| 2007/2008 | Kevin Kelbie |
16 | 1990/1991 | Des Loughery | 15 |
| 2006/2007 | Kevin Kelbie |
17 | 1989/1990 | Lindsay Curry | 14 |
| 2005/2006 | Kevin Kelbie |
16 | 1988/1989 | Paul Hardy | 21 |
| 2004/2005 | Rory Hamill Oran Kearney |
8 | 1987/1988 | Billy Pyper | 13 |
| 2003/2004 | Shea Campbell |
14 | 1986/1987 | Jonathan Speak | 17 |
| 2002/2003 | Shea Campbell |
38 | 1985/1986 | Jonathan Speak | 18 |
| 2001/2002 | Peter Withnell | 16 | 1984/1985 | Alan Campbell Jnr | 15 |
| 2000/2001 | Scott Drummond |
8 | 1983/1984 | Jonathan Speak | 11 |
| 1999/2000 | Glenn Hunter |
23 | 1982/1983 | Paul Malone | 22 |
| 1998/1999 | Glenn Hunter |
19 | 1981/1982 | Paul Malone | - |
| 1997/1998 |  Barry Patton |
26 | 1980/1981 | Paul Malone | 27 |
| 1996/1997 | Ciaran Feehan Des Loughery | 16 | 1979/1980 | Paul Malone | 28 |
| 1995/1996 | Mark McWalter |
13 | 1978/1979 | Sammy McQuiston | 18 |
| 1994/1995 | Barry Patton |
13 | 1977/1978 | Barry Brown | 13 |
| 1993/1994 | Jonathan Speak | 13 | 1976/1977 | Terry Kingon | 6 |
| 1992/1993 | Neil Candlish |
16 | 1975/1976 | Jimmy Martin | 23 |
Players
- As of 19th November 2009.[2]
Current squad
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Notable players
- Dave Hickson
- Glenn Hunter
- Graham Fox
Jimmy Kelly- Billy McMillan
- Gerry Mullan
- Stephen Penney
- Jim Platt
- John Sloan
- Geoff Twentyman
- Nigel Worthington (Current manager of the Northern Ireland national team)
- Tommy Wright
- Paul Malone
- Arthur Stewart
- Jimmy Martin
- Bobby Averill
- Norman Clarke
- Hubert Barr
- Brendan Rodgers (Current manager of Reading FC)
- Alex Donald
- Alex McCrae
- Kevin Kelbie
See also
- www.irishleaguesupporters.com
References
- ^ "Walker named new Ballymena boss". BBC Sport (BBC). 2008-05-20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/7410229.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ "FIRST TEAM PROFILES". Ballymena United. http://www.ballymenaunitedfc.com. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
External links
- Official Ballymena United Website
- Club Captain
- Ballymena United page on the IPL Website
- Irish Football Club Project
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