Ballymena United is a
Northern IrishNorthern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and it is situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
footballAssociation football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players using a spherical ball...
club playing in the IFA Premiership. Ballymena United hail from the town of
BallymenaBallymena is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
and play their home matches at
Ballymena ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
. Club colours are sky blue and white. Despite a poor start to the 09/10 season the Ballymena United faithful are still optimistic about their teams chances of lifting the Gibson Cup come the end of the season.
The club was founded on 7 April 1928, originally called simply Ballymena Football Club. After a dispute during the 1933-34 season, the club folded and was reconstituted as Ballymena United in 1934.
The club's manager since 20 May 2008 has been
Roy WalkerRobert Wright Walker, known as Roy Walker is a Northern Irish football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Irish Premier League side Ballymena United.-Playing career:...
. Previous manager Tommy Wright, the former
Northern Ireland internationalThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football. Before 1921, all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
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 AssociationThe Irish Football Association is the organising body for football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for the whole of the island...
.
The club's main rival is
ColeraineColeraine F.C. is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership . The club, founded in 1927, hails from Coleraine and plays its home matches at The Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
, with the highlight of the season the "
local derbyIn many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two rivals, particularly in association football...
", which falls on
Boxing DayBoxing Day is a bank holiday or a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and countries in the Commonwealth of Nations with a mainly Christian population...
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
, 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.
The Early Years (1928-1934)
BALLYMENA Football Club was formed on 7th April 1928, when four local businessmen and football enthusiasts decided that the town of
BallymenaBallymena is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
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
BallymenaBallymena is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
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 20th August, 1928 in front of a packed
Ballymena ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
, against reigning Irish League champions
Belfast CelticBelfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
; 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 McCambridgeJames "Jimmy" McCambridge was a Northern Irish professional footballer. He was capped 4 times by Ireland during his career.-Career:Jimmy began his career in his home country of Ireland playing for Larne and Ballymena United...
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
which saw the ‘Ballymena Babes’ shine. Ballymena defeated Glentoran, Broadway United and Coleraine en-route to a final showdown with League Champions
Belfast CelticBelfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
at
SolitudeSolitude is a state of seclusion or isolation; i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, contagious disease, disfiguring features, repulsive personal habits, mental illness, or circumstances of employment or situation .Short-term solitude is often...
. A remarkable 2-1 victory over
CelticBelfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
followed with goals from Jamie Shiels and
‘Hoody’ McCambridgeJames "Jimmy" McCambridge was a Northern Irish professional footballer. He was capped 4 times by Ireland during his career.-Career:Jimmy began his career in his home country of Ireland playing for Larne and Ballymena United...
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
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
ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
in late
AprilApril is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of four months with a length of 30 days. April was originally the second month of the Roman calendar, before January and February were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC...
as
Scottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Scottish Cup, and as the Active Nation Scottish Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football...
holders and carved out a narrow 1-0 win over Ballymena, the
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
holders – the first ever club
programmeA programme or program is a booklet available for patrons attending a live events such as theatre performances, fêtes, sports events, etc. It is a printed leaflet outlining the parts of the event scheduled to take place, principal performers and background information. In the case of theatrical...
was produced for this game. A few days later in what was billed as an All-Ireland Cup final the Light Blues travelled to
DublinDublin is the largest city and capital of Ireland. It is officially known in Irish as Baile Átha Cliath or Áth Cliath ; the English name comes from the Irish Dubh Linn meaning "black pool". It is located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the...
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
final for the second time, having defeated
Derry CityDerry City can refer to:* Derry, Northern Ireland* Derry City Council, local authority* Derry City F.C., a football club from Northern Ireland* City of Derry Airport...
,
Belfast CelticBelfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
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
McCambridgeJames "Jimmy" McCambridge was a Northern Irish professional footballer. He was capped 4 times by Ireland during his career.-Career:Jimmy began his career in his home country of Ireland playing for Larne and Ballymena United...
became the first full international to play for the club when he was capped for
IrelandThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football. Before 1921, all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
in their 7-0 victory over Wales in February 1930, the free-scoring Larne man would move to
EvertonEverton is a district of Liverpool, in Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council ward. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 7,398.-Toponymy:...
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 CupGold Cup may refer to:In horse racing:* Ascot Gold Cup, horse race run at Ascot Racecourse during June* Awapuni Gold Cup, major horse race run under weight-for-age conditions held in Awapuni, Palmerston North, New Zealand...
, eventually losing 3-0 to nearby rivals, Coleraine. Despite an early exit from the
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
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
IrelandThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football. Before 1921, all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
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
ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
. However, despite these new players and an
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
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
ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
.
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
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 CityDerry City can refer to:* Derry, Northern Ireland* Derry City Council, local authority* Derry City F.C., a football club from Northern Ireland* City of Derry Airport...
(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 CelticBelfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
. The club also made their first appearance in the final of the
County Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , plus intermediate teams who used to qualify via the Steel & Sons Cup The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football...
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
– eventually finishing runners-up in both competitions. Finishing an agonising five points behind
Belfast CelticBelfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
in the league race and a fourth
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
final saw a third defeat to Linfield in the showpiece event, this time a 2-0 defeat at
SolitudeSolitude is a state of seclusion or isolation; i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, contagious disease, disfiguring features, repulsive personal habits, mental illness, or circumstances of employment or situation .Short-term solitude is often...
. However, one year on Ballymena United went one better by lifting the 1940
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
after a 2-0 win over Glenavon in which Sclater and Moore. This was the last 'proper'
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
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
ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
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,
ScottishScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
born
Alex McCraeAlex McCrae is a Scottish former football player who played for Hearts, Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough and Falkirk during his career.-Playing career:McCrae began his career at Hearts in 1941...
took over as player-manager of Ballymena United. McCrae had been a successful inside-forward for Charlton Athletic and
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough is a town in the Tees Valley conurbation of North East England and sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire. It is the largest and most populous settlement within the Borough of Middlesbrough, which encompasses the town and several outlying villages which have become...
in his playing days. He brought instant success to the Braid, as Ballymena finished third and won the
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
in 1957/1958.
The 1958
Irish CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
-winning team was deemed one of the best Ballymena United teams ever to grace the Showgrounds, and it deservedly beat
Jackie MilburnJohn Edward Thompson 'Jackie' Milburn, , also known to fans as Wor Jackie and 'the first World Wor' in reference to his global fame, was a football player for Newcastle United and England. , and remains United's 2nd highest Top Goal Scorer of all time with a total of 200 goals...
’s Linfield in the showpiece final – with McGhee and Russell scoring the goals in a 2-0 win at
the OvalThe Oval is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland.The stadium has been home to Glentoran since 1892. Before that the team used Ormeau Park from 1882 to 1886. Then the team shifted to King's Field in Ballymacarrett for four years until 1890. The team's next destination was Musgrave Park...
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 ParkWindsor Park, in Belfast, is the home ground of the Northern Irish football club, Linfield. It is also the home of the Northern Ireland national football team and Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals....
final, but United drew 1-1 and lost the replay 0-2.
Former
LiverpoolLiverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club plays in the Premier League, and has won more trophies than any other English club...
legend, Geoff Twentyman, then came along as manager and brought the
Ulster CupThe Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs. It was held on fifty-one occasions until being suspended after the 1998/99 season and discontinued after a one-off re-appearance in 2002/03. The last three editions were only open to Irish First...
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 HunterGlenn Hunter is a former Crusaders F.C. footballer and holds the club's goalscoring record with 157 goals. He won two league championships with the Hatchetmen. Glenn also played for other clubs, such as Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery....
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
PortadownPortadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It has an estimated population of 32,000, and is situated on the River Bann, in the north of County Armagh. It is within of the Craigavon Borough Council area....
at
Shamrock ParkShamrock Park is a football stadium in Portadown, Northern Ireland. It is the home ground of Portadown F.C.. Shamrock Park used to be used for stock-car racing, but this has been discontinued in recent years...
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
ShowgroundsThe Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council...
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 WrightThomas James Wright is a former footballer. He joined Everton F.C. as an apprentice in 1964 and made 373 appearances at right back and scored four goals...
, former Leeds United defender
Paul BeesleyPaul Beesley is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Beesley joined Wigan Athletic in 1984, staying for five years and making over 150 league appearances. He joined Leyton Orient for £175,000 on 20 October 1989. He was sold on to Sheffield United for £125,000 profit less than eight months...
and
LiberiaLiberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2008 Census, the nation is home to 3,476,608 people and covers ....
n 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 CupThe Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs. It was held on fifty-one occasions until being suspended after the 1998/99 season and discontinued after a one-off re-appearance in 2002/03. The last three editions were only open to Irish First...
,
County Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , plus intermediate teams who used to qualify via the Steel & Sons Cup The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football...
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 CampbellShea Campbell is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Cliftonville.-Career:Campbell moved from Ballymena United to Linfield in January 2005. He was released in July 2005 due to a lack of first-team football. Campbell went on trail with Newry City in August 2005, but...
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 JemsonNigel Jemson is a former English footballer, who represented his country at the Under-21 level and was the manager of Ilkeston Town, until May 2008. As of July 9, 2008, he became the player-assistant manager to Jim Vince at the newly renamed F.C...
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
DanishDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe and the senior member of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries; southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and it is bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark borders both the Baltic and the North Sea...
side
OdenseOdense Boldklub is a Danish professional football club based in the town of Odense. The club have won three Danish championships and five Danish Cup trophies. OB play in the Danish Superliga and their home field is Fionia Park in Odense on Funen...
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 HamillRory Hamill is a footballer, who currently plays for Cliftonville in Northern Ireland’s IFA Premiership.- Playing career :...
,
Gary SmythGary Smyth was a Northern Irish footballer, who retired on 9th May 2009 following the Irish Cup final.'Smickers' signed for Glentoran from Holywood in 1988, winning numerous trophies and remaining there until 1995, when he signed for Glenavon, where he enjoyed more success, before returning to The...
, Gordon Simms and
Tim McCannTim McCann can refer to:*Timothy J. McCann, British archivist*Tim McCann , film director*Tim McCann , Northern Irish semi-professional footballer...
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 CupThe Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
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 ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , plus intermediate teams who used to qualify via the Steel & Sons Cup The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football...
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
EnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
eight years earlier. The next season though saw Wright’s side finally come of age as after an incredible 4-2 victory at
the OvalThe Brit Insurance Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, London. In the past it was also sometimes called the 'Kennington 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
AprilApril is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of four months with a length of 30 days. April was originally the second month of the Roman calendar, before January and February were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC...
2008 only to re-emerge at Norwich a few months later.
Senior honours
- Irish Cup
The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish...
: 6
- 1928/29, 1939/40, 1957/58, 1980/81, 1983/84, 1988/89
- City Cup
The City Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Northern Ireland. It was run by the Irish Football Association. It had previously been known as the Dunville Cup and ceased to exist in 1976...
: 1
- Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Ireland and from 1921 onwards, just for Northern Ireland. It was initially run by the New Irish Football Association but later, and mainly, by the Irish Football Association....
: 1
- Ulster Cup
The Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs. It was held on fifty-one occasions until being suspended after the 1998/99 season and discontinued after a one-off re-appearance in 2002/03. The last three editions were only open to Irish First...
: 2
- Festival of Britain Cup
The Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs. It was held on fifty-one occasions until being suspended after the 1998/99 season and discontinued after a one-off re-appearance in 2002/03. The last three editions were only open to Irish First...
: 1
- Irish League First Division: 1
- County Antrim Shield
The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , plus intermediate teams who used to qualify via the Steel & Sons Cup The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football...
: 4
- 1947/48, 1950/51, 1975/76, 1979/80
- Irish News Cup
The Irish News Cup was a "north-south" football competition in Ireland involving teams from the Irish League and League of Ireland mostly located in the north-west of the island. It was sponsored by the Irish News and also referred to as the Irish News North West Cup...
: 1
Intermediate honours
- IFA Reserve League
The IFA Reserve League is an intermediate league in Northern Ireland consisting of the reserve teams of the twelve IFA Premiership clubs.-Current members:*Ballymena United Reserves*Bangor Reserves*Cliftonville Olympic*Coleraine Reserves*Crusaders Reserves...
: 1
- Steel & Sons Cup
The Steel & Sons Cup is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East Ulster Football Association . The competition culminates in the final which has traditionally been played on Christmas Day...
: 1
- Louis Moore Cup: 1
- George Wilson Cup
The George Wilson Memorial Cup is a competition open to reserve football teams affiliated to member clubs of the Irish League. Initially it was open to all members of the B Division, both "attached and unattached" The George Wilson Memorial Cup is a competition open to reserve football teams...
: 2
† Won by Ballymena United Reserves
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– |
NIR Roy Walker Robert Wright Walker, known as Roy Walker is a Northern Irish football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Irish Premier League side Ballymena United.-Playing career:...
|
1983 |
SCO Alec Donald (Caretaker) |
| 2008 |
NIR Jim Grattan |
1983 |
NIR Ian Russell |
| 2005–2008 |
NIR Tommy Wright Thomas James Wright is a former footballer. He joined Everton F.C. as an apprentice in 1964 and made 373 appearances at right back and scored four goals...
|
1983 |
SCO Alec Donald (Caretaker) |
| 2001-2005 |
NIR Kenny Shiels |
1982-1983 |
NIR Ivan Murray |
| 2000-2001 |
NIR George Magill (Caretaker) |
1979-1982 |
NIR Alan Campbell |
| 1999-2000 |
NIR Nigel Best |
1979 |
NIR Ivan Murray & NIR Alex McKee (Caretakers) |
| 1999 |
NIR Shay Hamill (Caretaker) |
1977-1979 |
SCO Billy Johnston |
| 1995-1999 |
NIR Alan Fraser |
1977 |
NIR Alex McKee (Caretaker) |
| 1994-1995 |
NIR Gary Erwin |
1976-1977 |
NIR Eddie Russell |
| 1993-1994 |
NIR Tommy Jackson |
1971-1976 |
NIR Arthur Stewart |
| 1991-1993 |
NIR Jim Hagan Jim Hagan is a Northern Irish former professional footballer and football club manager. He was born in Monkstown.Hagan began his career in Northern Ireland with Larne and was voted Ulster young player of the year in the 1975-76 season. While playing for Larne he also worked as a booking clerk for...
|
1969-1971 |
SCO Alex McCrae Alex McCrae is a Scottish former football player who played for Hearts, Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough and Falkirk during his career.-Playing career:McCrae began his career at Hearts in 1941...
|
| 1987-1991 |
NIR Alex McKee |
1968-1969 |
SCO Alex Parker Alexander Hershaw Parker is a former Scottish international footballer most prominent during his time with Everton....
|
| 1985-1987 |
NIR Jimmy Brown |
1960-1963 |
ENG Geoff Twentyman Geoff Twentyman was an English footballer who is mainly remembered for his links with Liverpool Football Club as both a player and as chief scout.-Life and playing career:...
|
| 1984-1985 |
NIR Alan Campbell |
1957-1960 |
SCO Alex McCrae Alex McCrae is a Scottish former football player who played for Hearts, Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough and Falkirk during his career.-Playing career:McCrae began his career at Hearts in 1941...
|
| 1983-1984 |
NIR Jim Platt James Archibald 'Jim' Platt is a former goalkeeper who played for Northern Ireland. During his career, 'Jim' won 23 caps for Northern Ireland, an amount largely restricted due to the presence of Pat Jennings in the side...
|
1951-1957 |
NIR 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
Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former football club in Northern Ireland that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until it withdrew from the Irish League in 1949.-History:...
, (5 November 1938)
- Record Away League Defeat: 1-9 Derry City
Derry City Football Club are a football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of league football in the Republic of Ireland, and is the only participating club from Northern Ireland...
, (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
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football. Before 1921, all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
Leading Goalscorers By Season
| Season |
Name |
Goals |
Season |
Name |
Goals |
| 2008/2009 |
NIR Neil Teggart Neil Teggart is a Northern Irish footballer, currently playing for Portadown, in the IFA Premiership. He was a Northern Ireland under 21 international, picking up 2 caps....
|
12 |
1991/1992 |
SCO Neil Candlish |
18 |
| 2007/2008 |
SCO Kevin Kelbie |
16 |
1990/1991 |
NIR Des Loughery |
15 |
| 2006/2007 |
SCO Kevin Kelbie |
17 |
1989/1990 |
NIR Lindsay Curry |
14 |
| 2005/2006 |
SCO Kevin Kelbie |
16 |
1988/1989 |
NIR Paul Hardy |
21 |
| 2004/2005 |
NIR Rory Hamill Rory Hamill is a footballer, who currently plays for Cliftonville in Northern Ireland’s IFA Premiership.- Playing career :...
NIR Oran KearneyOran Kearney is a retired Northern Irish footballer, who is currently manager of Limavady United. He previously played for Linfield and Ballymena United....
|
8 |
1987/1988 |
NIR Billy Pyper |
13 |
| 2003/2004 |
NIR Shea Campbell Shea Campbell is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Cliftonville.-Career:Campbell moved from Ballymena United to Linfield in January 2005. He was released in July 2005 due to a lack of first-team football. Campbell went on trail with Newry City in August 2005, but...
|
14 |
1986/1987 |
NIR Jonathan Speak |
17 |
| 2002/2003 |
NIR Shea Campbell Shea Campbell is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Cliftonville.-Career:Campbell moved from Ballymena United to Linfield in January 2005. He was released in July 2005 due to a lack of first-team football. Campbell went on trail with Newry City in August 2005, but...
|
38 |
1985/1986 |
NIR Jonathan Speak |
18 |
| 2001/2002 |
NIR Peter Withnell |
16 |
1984/1985 |
NIR Alan Campbell Jnr |
15 |
| 2000/2001 |
SCO Scott Drummond |
8 |
1983/1984 |
NIR Jonathan Speak |
11 |
| 1999/2000 |
NIR Glenn Hunter Glenn Hunter is a former Crusaders F.C. footballer and holds the club's goalscoring record with 157 goals. He won two league championships with the Hatchetmen. Glenn also played for other clubs, such as Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery....
|
23 |
1982/1983 |
NIR Paul Malone |
22 |
| 1998/1999 |
NIR Glenn Hunter Glenn Hunter is a former Crusaders F.C. footballer and holds the club's goalscoring record with 157 goals. He won two league championships with the Hatchetmen. Glenn also played for other clubs, such as Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery....
|
19 |
1981/1982 |
NIR Paul Malone |
- |
| 1997/1998 |
IRE Barry Patton |
26 |
1980/1981 |
NIR Paul Malone |
27 |
| 1996/1997 |
NIR Ciaran Feehan NIR Des Loughery |
16 |
1979/1980 |
NIR Paul Malone |
28 |
| 1995/1996 |
SCO Mark McWalter Mark McWalter is a Scottish former football striker.McWalter began his career with his local club Arbroath where as a teenager he became a first team regular. His form attracted the attentions of top-flight St. Mirren, who signed him in June 1987...
|
13 |
1978/1979 |
NIR Sammy McQuiston |
18 |
| 1994/1995 |
IRE Barry Patton |
13 |
1977/1978 |
Unknown |
|
| 1993/1994 |
NIR Jonathan Speak |
13 |
1976/1977 |
NIR Terry Kingon |
6 |
| 1992/1993 |
SCO Neil Candlish |
16 |
1975/1976 |
NIR Jimmy Martin |
23 |
Current squad
Notable players
Dave HicksonDavid "Dave" Hickson is an ex-football player, who played for Everton, Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town, Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers....
Glenn HunterGlenn Hunter is a former Crusaders F.C. footballer and holds the club's goalscoring record with 157 goals. He won two league championships with the Hatchetmen. Glenn also played for other clubs, such as Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery....
Graham Fox Ireland
Jimmy KellyJimmy Kelly was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Kelly was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever to play in the Irish League, scoring 218 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952...
Ireland
Billy McMillanWilliam McMillan , commonly referred to as Billy McMillan, was an Irish footballer who played for Belfast Celtic and Ballymena United...
Gerry MullanGerry Mullan is a former Glentoran, Ballymena United, Everton and Coleraine footballer. He hails from Limavady. When Ronnie McFall signed Mullan for Glentoran in 1981 from Everton, he became the most expensive Irish League player, at £30,000. The striker scored 110 goals for Glentoran, and gained...
Stephen Penney
Jim PlattJames Archibald 'Jim' Platt is a former goalkeeper who played for Northern Ireland. During his career, 'Jim' won 23 caps for Northern Ireland, an amount largely restricted due to the presence of Pat Jennings in the side...
John Sloan
Geoff TwentymanGeoff Twentyman was an English footballer who is mainly remembered for his links with Liverpool Football Club as both a player and as chief scout.-Life and playing career:...
Nigel WorthingtonNigel Worthington is a Northern Irish football manager and former player. He is currently manager of the Northern Ireland national team....
(Current manager of the Northern Ireland national team) Tommy Wright Paul Malone
Arthur StewartArthur Stewart is a Northern Ireland former international footballer who played with, among others, Glentoran, Derby County and Ballymena United in the 1960s and 1970s...
Jimmy MartinJimmy Martin was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".-Biography:Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee. Jimmy Martin was born into the hard farming life of rural Tennessee. He grew up near Sneedville, singing in church and with friends from surrounding farms...
Bobby Averill Norman Clarke Hubert Barr
Brendan RodgersBrendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish former footballer, who is currently manager of Reading.After retiring as a professional footballer at the age of 20, Rodgers stayed at Reading and was appointed the youth team coach. He was promoted to coach before Chelsea, under the leadership of José Mourinho,...
(Current manager of Reading FC)
Alex DonaldAlexander Donald is a Scottish former footballer.-Playing career:Donald had a successful trial with Port Vale over the summer of 1965, having joined in July he signed as a professional by October. He made his debut on 12 January 1966 in a 2–0 defeat at Bradford City, but was never a first team...
Alex McCraeAlex McCrae is a Scottish former football player who played for Hearts, Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough and Falkirk during his career.-Playing career:McCrae began his career at Hearts in 1941...
Kevin Kelbie
External links