Ballymena United F.C.

Ballymena United
Full name Ballymena United Football Club
Nickname(s) Sky Blues
Founded 1934
Ground Ballymena Showgrounds,
Ballymena, County Antrim
Ground Capacity 4,390
Chairman John Taggart
Manager David Jeffrey
League NIFL Premiership
2015–16 NIFL Premiership, 8th

Ballymena United Football Club is a semi-professional football club from Northern Ireland. Based in Ballymena, County Antrim, the team competes in the NIFL Premiership and plays home matches at the Ballymena Showgrounds.The club is managed by Linfield legend David Jeffrey.

Ballymena United was formed in 1934 as a replacement for the earlier Ballymena that had folded following a dispute regarding the illegal payment of amateur players.

Nicknamed the 'Braidmen' or 'Sky Blues', latterly because of the colour of the home shirts, Ballymena have a rich history in Irish Cup, having won the competition six times – the most for a provincial club outside of Belfast. The club has never won the league title in its history, but has finished runners-up on two occasions. The club has also won the County Antrim Shield on five occasions.

The main club rivals of Ballymena United would be local club Coleraine. The traditional Boxing Day fixture between the two teams attracts large crowds and is one of the most high-profile fixtures in the Northern Irish football calendar.

Club history

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 United in the Irish League for the 1928–29 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 1930–31 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 1931–32 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 1932–33 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 1934–35 also seen the introduction of the Reserve side at the Showgrounds.

The 1935–36 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 1936–37 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 1946–47 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.

Post War United (1946–1957)

Even though WW2 ended in time for the commencement of the 1945–46 season it was not until the following term that Ballymena United made their comeback into the Irish League. Home friendlies early in 1946 were arranged against Belfast Celtic and Linfield but both were cancelled because the Showgrounds complex was not ready following the removal of the troops who were stationed there.

A new manager, Billy Reid, was appointed on the 1ST May but only lasted until late October, resigning after citing he couldn't devote enough time to the job and control of team affairs went back to committee. United made their comeback on 17 August 1946 with a 2–1 home victory in the Gold Cup against Distillery. The Braidmen joined the Irish Regional League in its final season before the return of the Irish League the following season and finished a respectable sixth in what was a topsy-turvy season which included a semi-final appearance in the Irish Cup. The Sky Blues did suffer their heaviest ever defeat during the Regional League campaign, losing 10–1 to Belfast Celtic. Ballymena United began the 1947–48 season with a new manager, Bob McKay, who was promoted from his role last season as chief scout and had previously had been in charge of Dundee United. McKay guided Ballymena United to an impressive third place in the Irish League. Despite a first round exit to Linfield in the Irish Cup, the game attracted a record crowd of 9,067 and was a real end-to-end affair which afterwards saw the transfer of Frankie Houghton to Newcastle United for £6,000 – which was quite a considerable sum back then.

April 1948 saw United play their first competitive game outside of Northern Ireland when they travelled to Dublin to play Shelbourne in the Inter-City Cup, a game which Ballymena lost 1–0 but progressed to the quarter-finals after winning the first leg 4–1 – this set up a clash with Shamrock Rovers who won the tie 8–3 on aggregate. The season didn't end trophyless as a 2–1 victory over Linfield in May 1948 brought the County Antrim Shield to the Ballymena Showgrounds for the first time in the club's history – that game saw the competitive debut of Eric Trevorrow, a 20-year-old signing from Glasgow junior club, Parkhead Juniors.

The following season began with much optimism after the success of the previous campaign, this optimism didn't last long as Ballymena finished a disappointing tenth in the Irish League and failed to make any headway in any of the cup competitions. This ultimately cost Bob McKay his job in May 1949 during a stormy AGM, as McKay berated the board for interference with his team selections. Norman Kernaghan took over as player-manager and after a moderate first season he finished his second campaign as Irish Cup finalists and County Antrim Shield winners in 1950–51 – beating Cliftonville in the final.

For the second successive season Ballymena lifted a piece of silverware – one of only two occasions this has occurred – as Ballymena United lifted the Festival of Britain Cup after beating Crusaders 3–0 in the final in May 1952. The competition took the place of the Ulster Cup for one year as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations to mark the end of the war and the revival of Britain. The Sky Blues finished sixth in the race for the Gibson Cup and defender Eric Trevorrow was given the prestigious honour of being named Ulster Footballer of the Year by the Castlereagh Glentoran Supporters Club.

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-1950s 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 Beginning (1957–1969)

In 1957, Scottish born Alex McCrae took over as player-manager of Ballymena United – he 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 1957–58.

The 1958 Irish Cup winning team was deemed one of the best Ballymena United teams ever to grace the Showgrounds, as they 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, with another impressive team marched onto another Irish Cup final (their eighth final); the Sky Blues were expected to beat Glenavon in a Windsor Park final. However United's bad luck struck again as they failed to beat Glenavon, only drawing 1–1 and were defeated 2–0 in the replay.

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 rollercoaster seventies (1970–1978)

Ballymena United 1974 Gold Cup Winners

The Sky Blues reached an Irish Cup Final in 1970 as a mere 12,000, just over half the average Irish Cup final attendance in those days, watched United fall 2–1 to Linfield at Solitude. Fleming grabbed an early goal which proved United's un-doing as they then mistakenly tried to sit back and defend out the remainder of the game. Incidentally this was Linfield's last game at Solitude for over a quarter of a century, due to civil unrest. The other interesting point is that it was the first Irish Cup Final with substitutes – Nicholl filled that role for United.

Next came a colourful time in United's history as one of the most 'colourful' and arguably one of the most talented of United's players – Sammy Frickelton was appearing at the Showgrounds to the delight of many fans. Scottish born Frickelton was followed by controversy but was still an exciting part of the clubs history.

Teenage goalkeeper Jim Platt was transferred to Middlesbrough (where he won 21 caps for Northern Ireland) for £7,000 and Ballymena Council purchased the Showgrounds in two major off the field happenings. United was now under the charge of Arthur Stewart (as McCrae mysteriously resigned after a board member complained about his wages) as player/manager. United were involved in the incident which led to Derry City's expulsion from the Irish League as their bus was burnt on a visit to the Brandywell during the height of the troubles in the province.

On the field Jimmy Martin was the major sensation as his goals brought United's best performance in the ill-fated Texaco Cup – where the Sky Blues lost to Scottish side Airdieonians at the semi-final stage 1972, who went on to lose to Derby County in the final. United picked up the City Cup in 1971 for the only time in their history; Bobby Averill scored the goal as the Sky Blues picked up a long overdue trophy against Ards at the Oval.

In 1974 that same club beat United in the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park. John Sloan scored but Ards ran out 2–1 winners. However, United won the Gold Cup – beating Glentoran 3–2 with Quentin McFall, Dessie Orr and Jimmy Brown scoring for the Sky Blues for the first and only time in the competition's prestigious history.

United then lost the final of the Gold Cup to Coleraine the subsequent year and Arthur Stewart was dismissed after a good service to the club, particularly in the early seasons of his five years in the notoriously unstable Ballymena hotseat.

Former favourite from the 1958 side Eddie Russell became player-manager and scored as United won the County Antrim Shield for the first time in 25 years – beating Distillery 4–0 at Inver Park. After the burning of the stand and by social club members of the travelling community, the Showgrounds underwent major work and the side was unable to play at the main pitch until the next season. On the pitch too United experienced more problems – going 13 matches without victory at one stage. Russell was sacked as a result of the team's poor performances and in came Billy Johnston.

United lost the 1978 Irish Cup Final 3–1 to Linfield at the Oval to complete a league and cup double. This meant though that Ballymena experienced a historic first in qualifying for the European Cup Winners Cup. United entertained top Belgian side SK Beveren, losing 3–0 and the score was repeated two weeks later in Antwerp, as the Braidmen fell 6–0 on aggregate.

The glory years (1979–1989)

Ballymena United In 1981 With The County Antrim Shield And Ulster Cup

During the 1978–79 season Johnston made way for the arrival of Alan Campbell and he moulded arguably one of the best United teams of recent years, who would constantly challenge for honours and even came second in the Irish League in 1979–80. This meant qualification for the UEFA Cup for the first time and a first (and only) win in Europe against East-German outfit FC Vorwaerts, only losing narrowly in the second leg.

On route to an early season cup game against Ards, manager Alan Campbell was involved in a car accident which meant that managerial duties had to be passed over to his assistant, Ivan Murray, on a caretaker basis as Campbell recovered from his horrific accident.

The following season seen a remarkable United side finish third and lift both the Irish Cup and the County Antrim Shield in the one campaign. The Irish Cup win over Glenavon was by a single Paul Malone strike at Windsor Park. Former Northern Ireland manager, Nigel Worthington was transferred to Notts County for a club record £125,000 fee after the Irish Cup win; United had also lost influential midfielder Gerry Mullan to Everton earlier in the season. The reward for the Cup win was a Cup Winners' Cup tie against Italian giants AS Roma, the Sky Blues fought valiantly but succumbed to the relentless pressure of the multimillion-pound side and lost 6–0 on aggregate.

Ivan Murray took over from Alan Campbell who resigned in January 1982, but failed to reproduce the team's best form and was duly dismissed to be replaced by former Crusaders boss Ian Russell – who many thought would definitely bring success back to Warden Street.

Russell failed to take the Sky Blues to the next level, despite bringing Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jim Platt back home and also seen the late George Best turn out for the Sky Blues in a Friendly against Scottish side Motherwell. Russell barely lasted six months at the Showgrounds before being sacked by the trigger happy board.

After Ian Russell's departure, it was Jim Platt who took over as player-manager at the Showgrounds and United, inspired by Sion Mills teenager Johnny Speak, defeated Carrick Rangers in the Irish Cup Final in 1984. However, after becoming the first United player to win a full International cap since 1933 – he unceremoniously left to take up the managers role at bitter rivals Coleraine.

Alan Campbell returned for his second spell in June 1984, but left after only one season due to a combination of poor results and the fans treatment of his son; Alan Campbell Jnr. However, in that season Ballymena suffered what the press described as "One of the most embarrassing results in the club's history" – losing in both legs to Maltese minnows Hamrun Spartans in the First Round of the Cup Winners' Cup.

Soon after this, tragedy struck the Braid and the Irish League as Brian Crockard, United's outstanding young defender died tragically whilst on holiday, Crockard, a former United player of the year, is still remembered to this day having the player's lounge named after him at the Showgrounds.

Jimmy Brown took the reigned from the departed Campbell in May 1985, but despite two full seasons in charge at Warden Street he couldn't turn the team's fortunes with only a single County Antrim Shield Final appearance to show for his troubles, he resigned in September 1987 after a humiliating defeat to Larne.

In stepped former Reserve Team boss Alex McKee, with John Garrett as his assistant fired the Sky Blues to the Irish Cup the following season, defeating Larne in a lack-lustre showpiece final in which Paul Hardy proved to be the winner with a cheeky back-heel past Vince Magee in the Larne goal. The reward for the win was a plum tie against Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht – who proceeded to give United a footballing masterclass the following season, winning 10–0 on aggregate

Barren nineties (1990–1999)

The Irish League came up with the idea of promotion and relegation, and decided that they would combine the places of the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons to form a total score, on which to base a league upon. After a shaky start from Hagan, he was replaced by former Glentoran-boss Tommy Jackson, who faired no better. After a dismal season, he lasted only a couple of months into the following campaign before the axe was wielded yet again by the United board in October 1994.

The managerial merry-go-round continued when local man Gary Erwin was appointed in October 1994 in a vain attempt to secure a place in the Premier League, despite a famous win against Linfield, he failed miserably and was shown the door in March 1995. Alan Fraser was brought in at the end of the 1994–95 season, in order to prepare for the forthcoming First Division campaign. Despite throwing the money about, United finished the following season well behind runaway leaders, Coleraine.

1996–97's crop of players finally brought a League Championship to the Ballymena Showgrounds for the first time, albeit the First Division, which Alan Fraser's side impressively won at a canter. This also ensured promotion to the top-flight after two seasons in the wilderness of the First Division as 21 wins from 28 games meant an astounding 15 point gap between United's nearest challengers, Omagh Town, in second place. Fraser's talented side also were close to a 'double' when they cruelly lost the final of the County Antrim Shield to Cliftonville on penalties after being on top for most of the game. The season ended with Dessie Loughery's testimonial against Coleraine at the Showgrounds, which produced a stunning 5–1 victory to give the United fans a taste of what to expect the following season.

Ballymena United made a blistering start in their first season in the Premier League in 1997-98 and looked to be genuine title challengers by Christmas time as they topped the table after a stunning 4–3 victory over reigning Champions Crusaders – which also meant one of the biggest crowds in years at Warden Street for the Boxing Day derby against Coleraine; with an estimated 7,000 strong crowd packing into the Showgrounds. I typical fashion it all went off the rails for Alan Fraser's side as he splashed out a club record fee of £20,000 for Crusaders striker Glenn Hunter but the goals never came and the in-form Barry Patton also saw his goals dry up as Ballymena finished sixth in the table – missing out on a top half finish on goal difference. The season almost ended in a trophy as they reached the final of the Irish News Cup, a cross-border cup competition for clubs in the North-West – but lost out to Omagh Town over two legs.

Fraser's aging side failed to push on the following season and the money was beginning to dry up restricting suitable replacements being brought in. Failure again to break into the top half of the Premier League table in 1999 was offset by a disappointing non-performance in the Irish Cup semi-final against Portadown, which ironically turned out to be 'final' as Portadown lifted the Irish Cup by default following Cliftonville's dismissal for fielding an ineligible player. Alan Fraser was relieved of his duties for failing to meet the ambitions of the United board just hours after the final League game of the season, which also proved to be long-serving Dessie Loughery's last game as he made a controversial move to Coleraine after 11 years at the Braid. Shay Hamill took charge for the final of the Irish News Cup, but for the second consecutive season Ballymena lost the final this time to Johnny Speak's Finn Harps. The search began for a new manager at Warden Street and a new era awaited.

The wait goes on (2000–2011)

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 1999–00 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 2000–01 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 2001–02 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 2003–04 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 2005–06 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.Jim Grattan was appointed caretaker manager briefly before Roy Walker took charge from 2008 to 2011 when he was sacked after little progress made during his time at the club.

Glenn Ferguson era (2011–2016)

Following Walker's sacking,United asked permissson from Lisburn Distillery to speak to their first-team coach Glenn Ferguson and they successfully appointed him in June 2011. During Ferguson's reign they secured their first major trophy in quite a while by winning the County Antrim Shield and reaching the 2014 Irish Cup final before losing to Glenavon by 2–1 with the Mid-Ulster side winning their first Irish Cup in 17 years. The following year, United reached the semi-final of the Irish Cup before being defeated 3–1 by Portadown at The Oval. United started the 2015–16 in horrible form. Losing to promoted side Carrick Rangers losing 1–7 to Glenavon and being hammered by bitter rivals Coleraine. The Sky Blues form picked up,with them beating champions Crusaders 2–0 before beating Linfield in the County Antrim Shield final at Windsor Park. Ferguson was sacked in 2016 following a concerning slide in form that threatened the clubs Premiership status.

David Jeffrey era (2016–)

Following the sacking, the club spoke to legendary former Linfield manager and player David Jeffrey who, going into the interview, had little interest in the job. He found himself very impressed by what the board had to say, though, and decided to take the job, bringing former assistant Brian McLaughlin to the Showgrounds. His debut as manager was a 1–1 draw with champions Crusaders and his team won a series of games before going on a losing run, failing to enter the Europa League Play-Offs following a 0–2 defeat to relegation-threatened Portadown.

Honours

Senior honours

Intermediate honours

† Won by Ballymena United Reserves
Source: Ballymenaunitedfc.com

Club staff

Club officials and office bearers

Coaching staff

Managerial history

Dates Name Dates Name Dates Name
Jul 34 – May 35 Northern Ireland Joseph Miller Jan 68 – Dec 69 Scotland Alex Parker Sep 87 – Apr 91 Northern Ireland Alex McKee
Sep 37 – Nov 38 Scotland Steve Mitchell Dec 69 – Aug 71 Scotland Alex McCrae May 91 – Sep 93 Northern Ireland Jim Hagan
Jun 46 – Sep 46 Scotland William Reid Aug 71 – Mar 76 Northern Ireland Arthur Stewart Oct 93 – Oct 94 Northern Ireland Tommy Jackson
Jun 47 – May 49 Scotland Bob McKay Mar 76 – Apr 77 Northern Ireland Eddie Russell Oct 94 – Mar 95 Northern Ireland Gary Erwin
Aug 49 – May 50 Northern Ireland Billy McMillan Apr 77 – May 77 Northern Ireland Alex McKee (CT) Mar 95 – Apr 99 Northern Ireland Alan Fraser
May 50 – Mar 51 Northern Ireland Norman Kernaghan May 77 – Jan 79 Northern Ireland Billy Johnston Apr 99 – May 99 Northern Ireland Shay Hamill (CT)
Aug 53 – Jun 54 Scotland Samuel Picken Feb 79 – Feb 82 Northern Ireland Alan Campbell May 99 – Dec 00 Northern Ireland Nigel Best
Aug 54 – May 55 England Walter Rickett Feb 82 – Feb 83 Northern Ireland Ivan Murray Dec 00 – Jan 01 Northern Ireland George Magill (CT)
Oct 57 – Jan 60 Scotland Alex McCrae Feb 83 – Apr 83 Scotland Alec Donald (CT) Jan 01 –May 05 Northern Ireland Kenny Shiels
Mar 60 – May 63 England Geoff Twentyman Apr 83 – Nov 83 Northern Ireland Ian Russell May 5 – Apr 08 Northern Ireland Tommy Wright
Nov 63 – Dec 64 England Dave Hickson Nov 83 – Dec 83 Scotland Alec Donald (CT) Apr 08 – May 08 Northern Ireland Jim Grattan
Jan 65 – Oct 66 Scotland George Smith Dec 83 – Jun 84 Northern Ireland Jim Platt May 8 – Dec 11 Northern Ireland Roy Walker
Dec 66 – Jan 67 Northern Ireland Norman Clarke (CT) Jun 84 – Apr 85 Northern Ireland Alan Campbell Dec 11 Northern Ireland Joe McCall (CT)
Sep 67 – Dec 67 England Dave Hickson May 85 – Sep 87 Northern Ireland Jimmy Brown Dec 11 – Mar 16 Northern Ireland Glenn Ferguson

Source: Ballymenaunitedfc.com

Records

Wins

Defeats

Goals

Source: Ballymenaunitedfc.com

Leading goalscorers by season

Season Name Goals Season Name Goals Season Name Goals
2010–11 Scotland Gary McCutcheon 15 1992–93 Scotland Neil Candlish 16 1974–75 Northern Ireland Gary Erwin 18
2009–10 Scotland Kevin Kelbie 16 1991–92 Scotland Neil Candlish 18 1973–74 Northern Ireland Paul Kirk 30
2008–09 Northern Ireland Neil Teggart 12 1990–91 Northern Ireland Des Loughery 15 1972–73 Scotland Sammy Frickelton 14
2007–08 Scotland Kevin Kelbie 16 1989–90 Northern Ireland Lindsay Curry 14 1971–72 Northern Ireland Jim Martin 44
2006–07 Scotland Kevin Kelbie 17 1988–89 Northern Ireland Paul Hardy 21 1970–71 Northern Ireland Jim Martin 16
2005–06 Scotland Kevin Kelbie 16 1987–88 Northern Ireland Billy Pyper 13 1969–70 Unknown
2004–05 Northern Ireland Rory Hamill Northern Ireland Oran Kearney 8 1986–87 Northern Ireland Jonathan Speak 17 1968–69 Unknown
2003–04 Northern Ireland Shea Campbell 14 1985–86 Northern Ireland Jonathan Speak 18 1967–68 Unknown
2002–03 Northern Ireland Shea Campbell 38 1984–85 Northern Ireland Alan Campbell Jnr 15 1966–67 Unknown
2001–02 Northern Ireland Peter Withnell 16 1983–84 Northern Ireland Jonathan Speak 11 1965–66 Northern Ireland Mal McDonnell 34
2000–01 Scotland Scott Drummond 8 1982–83 Northern Ireland Paul Malone 23 1964–65 England Arthur Thomas 40
1999–00 Northern Ireland Glenn Hunter 23 1981–82 Northern Ireland Paul Malone 20 1963–64 Unknown
1998–99 Northern Ireland Glenn Hunter 19 1980–81 Northern Ireland Paul Malone 27 1962–63 Northern Ireland K Halliday 26
1997–98 Republic of Ireland Barry Patton 26 1979–80 Northern Ireland Paul Malone 28 1961–62 Northern Ireland Jimmy Small 23
1996–97 Northern Ireland Ciaran Feehan Northern Ireland Des Loughery 16 1978–79 Northern Ireland Sammy McQuiston 18 1960–61 Northern Ireland Hubert Barr 31
1995–96 Scotland Mark McWalter 13 1977–78 Northern Ireland Barry Brown 13 1959–60 Northern Ireland Eddie Russell 14
1994–95 Republic of Ireland Barry Patton 13 1976–77 Northern Ireland Jim Martin 6 1958–59 Unknown
1993–94 Northern Ireland Jonathan Speak 13 1975–76 Northern Ireland Barry Brown 28 1957–58 Unknown

Source:[1]

Players

First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Northern Ireland GK Ross Glendinning
2 Northern Ireland DF Tony Kane
3 Northern Ireland DF Stephen McBride
4 Northern Ireland DF Kyle Owens
5 Northern Ireland DF Johnny Flynn
6 Northern Ireland MF Denver Gage
7 Northern Ireland MF Gary Thompson
8 Northern Ireland MF Gavin Taggart
9 Northern Ireland FW Darren Henderson
10 Scotland MF Allan Jenkins
11 Northern Ireland MF Conor McCloskey
12 Northern Ireland MF Reuben Beattie
No. Position Player
14 Northern Ireland FW Cathair Friel
15 Northern Ireland MF Eoin Kane
16 Northern Ireland FW Matthew Shevlin
17 Northern Ireland DF Danny Wallace (on loan from Linfield)
18 Northern Ireland GK Alan Blayney
20 Northern Ireland MF Neil Lowry
21 Northern Ireland DF Jim Ervin (captain)
22 Northern Ireland DF Kyle McVey
23 Northern Ireland MF Leroy Millar
25 Northern Ireland FW Kyle Mackie
27 Northern Ireland FW Jonny McMurray
29 Northern Ireland MF Francis McCaffery

Internationals

This is a list of players with appearances at international level while playing for Ballymena United.

Source: Ballymenaunitedfc.com

See also

Northern Irish football clubs in European competitions

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ballymenaunitedfc.com/historypre201415/records/sbs/index.php Ballymenaunitedfc.com

External links

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