Category: Fund Raising

Annual Dinner & Awards Night

Ballynahinch United held their annual dinner and awards nights in the Primrose Bar, Ballynahinch last Saturday night. There was an excellent attendance and everyone was welcomed by Club Treasurer Johnny McGreevy who performed the role of master of ceremonies superbly in place of the Club Chairman who was attending a family wedding.

In his remarks he thanked everyone for attending and thanked the staff of the Primrose Bar for the excellent meal and service on the night. He also offered the club’s best wishes to owner and former United player Ted McKibbin following his recent accident.

Commenting on the season which was almost at an end he praised the work of the club officials and committee, the commitment of the team managers and players throughout the year, the encouragement given by the clubs supporter’s week in week out and the financial support given by each and every one of the clubs sponsors.

The highlight of what has been a good season for the club overall was the first team reaching the 5th Round of the Irish Cup and being drawn against Premier League opposition in the form of Coleraine. Whilst the outcome was not by any means ideal the team had performed extremely well against a well drilled semi-professional side and the club had been able to take well over a hundred supporters with them to the game which was outstanding by any stretch of the imagination.

As always the awards were all closely contested throughout the season and the outcome was as follows:

Albion: Players Player and Top Scorer – Alan Massey, Managers Player – John McMenamin.

Swifts: Managers Player & Top Scorer – Aaron ‘Beattie’ McCaffrey, Players Player – Ethan Majury and Craig McMullan.

United: Managers Player – David Boal, Players Player – David Boal & Stuart McMullan.
Top Scorer – Johnny Hunter

Overall Club Top Scorer – Aaron ‘Beattie’ McCaffrey
Young Player of the Year – Aaron Cheevers
Supporter of the Year – Robert Creighton

The annual Golden Boot award went to David Boal who despite some strong competition throughout the year achieved it for his historic achievement of BUFCs first red card in the 5th round of the Irish Cup!

Club stalwart Jimmy Brown who was so disappointed to lose out yet again to Robert Creighton in the Supporter of the Year category scooped the Groundsman of the Year/Decade award. He was presented with an antique Ards F.C. shirt signed by the team that previously reached the top flight. Former United star Terry Luring came across it last year and Wilson ‘Chico’ Hamilton replaced the glass in the frame.

Club Notes

The Swifts and The Albion were both in action at the weekend. The Swifts travelled to Bryansburn Rangers and continued their good form securing a point in a drawn game with McCaffrey scoring their goal.

Alan Massey continued his good form for The Albion scoring from the penalty spot for the second successive Saturday however they were unable to get back into winning ways.

The committee and members would like to express their thanks to Ian Blackwood of IB Electrical for ther generous sponsorship which is very much appreciated.

It was also great to see former player Michael Jones in attendance at Saturday’s game. Michael who is living and working in Melbourne, Australia was home recently for a family wedding and returned down under yesterday. He is playing football in one of the Victorian Leagues and secured the league championships with his team and by all accounts they are going well this season again.

Thanks & Appreciation

The committee and members of Ballynahinch United would like to express their thanks to the large numbers who travelled to Coleraine to support the team either by the supporters bus or other means. Special thanks go to Hannah Majury who looked after the supporters bus.

The stand fills up for kick off
The stand fills up for kick off

On the day the team looked splendid in a new red and black strip which was very generously sponsored by NFU Mutual. BEC Electrical and Bartley Murphy Construction supplied the new training tops while GML Electrical sponsored the tee shirts worn by the young mascots.

Squad and mascots
Squad and mascots

The Ballynahinch Lions who are great supporters of local sport again came to the rescue this time providing a full medical kit while Mark Murnin of Paddy Kelly’s provided generous sponsorship to cover other sports gear which ensured that the team were well turned out.

Johnny Hunter warms up
Johnny Hunter warms up

Additional sponsorship for match balls was provided by Charles Newsagents, Morrisons Vivoxtra, Down Satellite Aerial Services, Ian Blackwood Electrical and the Rowallane Neighbourhood Team PSNI.

Special thanks to Lorraine McMullan for her help in securing funding for the club.

Many thanks also goes to club man and Albion Left-Back Maestro Shaun Bonner who as well as running the club website was responsible for creating a massive amount of interest through social media specifically Twitter. Any local businesses who would like to advertise on this site and take advantage of the wide coverage that Shaun has garnered should contact the club for more details. On the day of the match he was in the Coleraine Press Box along with the local media including the BBC Radio Ulster presenter Alan Simpson providing a blow by blow account of the match to those who were unable to be present.

Club Treasurer and Veteran Albion Goalkeeper Johnny McGreevy also took some real quality photographs which can be viewed here.

The officers, directors and supporters of Coleraine F.C. were outstanding hosts throughout the day and they complimented the performance of the team and the way in which its management team had organised them. They also paid glowing tributes to the professionalism of the club and its committee and made particular mention of the large support that had come along which was considerably more than what many Premier League teams bring with them. At an informal function in the Coleraine Board Room Club Chairman Gilbert Cromie thanked everyone associated with the Coleraine Club for their cooperation and assistance in the run up to and on the day of the match.

Robert Creighton one of the club’s most loyal of supporters was the receipient of a signed Coleriane shirt courtesy of Coleraine Club President Andy Magowan a Ballynahinch man born and bred who’s loyalties on the day were definitely split.

Supporter of the Year Robert received a signed Coleraine shirt
Supporter of the Year Robert received a signed Coleraine shirt

Ballynahinch United memories of their trip to Coleraine will live long but it also gives everyone a thirst for more glory in the future.

Sponsorship for Saturday announced

This is a big week for United with their 5th Round Irish Cup tie with Danske Bank Premier League side Coleraine F.C. taking place this Saturday.

United will field on the day wearing a new all red strip sponsored by NFU Mutual – Downpatrick. In addition the team will warm up with training tops sponsored by BEC Electrical and B. Murphy Construction.

The team will take to the field led by young mascots from Ballynahinch and they will be attired with special commemorative tee shirts which have been sponsored by GML Electrical. Everyone at the club would like to express their appreciation to these sponsors, NFU Mutual, BEC Electrical, B. Murphy Construction and GML Electrical for this wonderful gesture which is much appreciated.

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Gilbert Cromie [Chairman], Colin Murray [Manager] and Michale Lurring [GML Electrical] with Mascots Robbie and Sam Lurring holding the special tee shirts.
However it is still not too late for other sponsors to come forward and assist the club as it undertakes this great challenge of representing County Down in this most prestigious of competitions.

The club would welcome contributions to assist with the cost of bus hire for the team as well as other associated expenditure on match balls, medical equipment etc – please get in touch.