Ballymena United Football CLUB NEWS

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Corporate Lunch Dates 2024/25

The ever popular corporate lunches are back with 3 dates for the 24/25 season!

Get in touch to secure your table in what’s always a superb day out at the Showgrounds!

The two remaining Corporate Dinners are;

BUFC v Portadown Saturday 22nd February 2025 at 12.30pm

Min of 8 per table - £400

£50 per additional person up to 10

Contact Alan Francey - 07402 521070

Ballymena United FC is thrilled to announce that we have reached an agreement for Patrick McEleney to join the Sky Blues at the start of the January transfer window from Derry City. With experience in both England and the League of Ireland, Patrick brings immense quality and a wealth of experience to our squad.Manager Jim Ervin commented: “Signing a player of Patrick’s calibre is an incredible boost for the club. He is a top-class footballer, widely respected across the game. His experience and winning mentality will be invaluable as we continue our exciting project. I want to extend my thanks to everyone involved in making this transfer possible.”

Over the years Mandy Millar (A8802) has had multiple wins on Sports Bond and this week she had another £50 Major win on Sports Bond. The winners this week were divided between Two Agents

Patricia Thompson had a Major winner with John Cahoon (B5381) in Glenwhirrey and a First win for Ballymena United supporter Billy Herbison ((A4624) who was a £10 winner.

Out in Cloughmills  Sports Bond agent Robert Logan had a £50 Major winner with Alastair Forsythe (A3970) and a £1o Minor winner with Ann Hume(B0502). Ann was a former Sports Bond agent in Cloughmills and we are delighted she is still with us as a member.

The only winner not linked to the previous agents was James McCarry (A8678)  on the agency of Margaret Downey. The Jackpot is £750 for this week After the Jackpot numbers of 4 11 21 25vwere not allocated last week. Join Sports Bond now on 07831 803970. 

Sports Bond was very saddened to learn of the passing of Hugh McCormick of Chichester Park after illness. Hugh had been a Sports Bond member for many years abandoned was well known to Promoter Brian Thompson. For the last year he had been a member on the agency of Karen Rainey. To his wife Josie and Family we extend our Deepest sympathy. 

Birthday greetings to Sports Bond agent Alastair Shaw who celebrated another Birthday at the weekend . 

Maurice Anderson had a host of Birthdays this week. They are on Monday Paul McNaul ,Nathaniel Balmer ,Nathan Blair and Darren Walker. On Thursday Keith Richmond and on Sunday next Elaine Young and Rikki Barr. We send them all Birthday greetings. 

On Saturday the winning time was 85 mins (84 mins 34 sec).As yet we have had no claims for £50 prize.If you have a winning time contact Brian Thompson on 07831 803970.For the third time this 

season Leslie Kinnear was one minute out with 84 minutes. 

The Scottish league cup final First score was 41 minutes and we have one winner so far .Sports Bond agent Sammy Bones mother Hazel was the lucky winner of £50.Nice one Hazel. 

First Score will be on sale at the League Cup match with Glentoran on Tuesday. 

Tickets will be on sale at Tuesday's match with Glentoran. Tickets are priced at £1  with a fantastic first prize of a trip to London in May to see Spurs play Crystal Palace. There are a host of fabulous other prizes. Draw will be on December 30 th against Glenavon

There are a few players who are available for Sponsorship. Please contact Gary McConnell on 07730 06 48 46 for details and benefits.

The Ballymena United Calendar was launched in the Tower centre last Thursday and is selling well

A new outlet for sales is the Loyal we are stand in the centre run by Hubert McCartney.Calendars are priced at £7 £10 for 2 and £5 for Sports Bond members. Calendars will be on sale on Tuesday evening at the Match and on Thursday evening at the Showgrounds.

Ballymena United FC would like to acknowledge the successful outcome of Loughgall FC’s recent appeals against The Northern Ireland Football League on 2 decisions relating to Sunday Football. 

We supported our colleagues at Loughgall during the process and had been invited to attend the appeal as guests of Loughgall but this was denied. 

As a club we missed the appeals cut off point but signed a participation agreement with a caveat that we did not waive our right to non participation in Sunday Football. We fully supported Loughgalls stance that clubs should be free to enter the NIFL league cup without waiving their rights to non participation in Sunday Football and that they should also not be penalised financially for non participation in Sunday Football. 

We will continue to oppose Sunday football on the basis of the religious beliefs of the players, staff and supporters of Ballymena United FC and also the mental and physical health of our players, staff and volunteers involved in the day to day workings of our club. 

Sunday football will deny a club operating on a part time basis the opportunity to have a rest day of which we should all be entitled. 

It’s been well documented and spoken about in local football circles that volunteers are the lifeblood of the majority of clubs. Asking them to now be available for Sunday football matches puts a lot of volunteers and therefore the clubs under undue pressure. As we’ve mentioned, we place the health and wellbeing of our club stakeholders at the top of our priority list and for that and the others reasons outlined we will continue to oppose Sunday football.