The club would like to announce the appointment of Glynn Robinson as first team manager. Glynn brings a wealth of experience of amateur league football both as a player and for the last 10 years in various coaching roles, most recently spending the last 2 years at Newcastle. Glynn is also a former United player and so is familiar with the club.
Glynn will be joined by assistant manager Dale Davidson who enjoyed a successful playing career, most notably with Killyleagh YC whom he later also managed.
We would like to wish both men good luck for the season ahead and into the future.
Further announcements regarding pre-season training will follow, where any new players who fancy a change or new challenge would be most welcome.
Following the resignation of Alan Davis as first team manager of Ballynahinch United the Officers, Committee and supporters would like to thank Alan and his management team of Paul Allison and Rab Carlisle for their efforts during the season. Their task had been made very difficult with the loss of a number of players during the close season. Despite this set back significant progress was made with a number of teenagers taking the field and doing outstandingly well and justifying their managers faith in them. The club is delighted that Alan, Paul and Rab will continue to play an active role within the club committee.
The club would like to invite applications for the vacant managers Expressions of interest should be sent to:
The Secretary
Ballynahinch United
25 Magaluf Park
Moneyreagh
Newtownards
BT23 6DA
The Trustees, Officers, Committee, members, players and supporters of Ballynahinch United F.C. wish to pass on our condolences to the Hamilton family on the passing of Billy [Senior].
Billy played for United in its very early days however it will be for his administrative role in the club over its almost five decades of existence for which he will best be remembered. Achieving Intermediate status and the ownership of the Millbridge ground stand as a permanent legacy to Billy’s hard work and those who were involved with him. Billy was not just an administrator he was also only too willing to roll up his sleeves and do any task that was required at the club including marking the pitch and putting up the nets well into his eighties. Those tasks stretched back to the club’s early occupancy of Bells Bridge in Dromara and later Langley Road before moving to Millbridge in the 1980’s.
In his role of Secretary Billy represented the club at the Newcastle & District Amateur and Northern Amateur Football League’s to which he also gave great service both as an office holder, committee member and representative on football’s governing bodies the IFA and the County Antrim F.A.
To his widow Sally and sons Billy [Junior], Graham and Wilson [Chico], who have also contributed so much to United, and the wider family circle we offer our sympathy to you at this time.
A service of thanksgiving for Billy’s life took place on Monday 11th December 2017 in Ballynahinch Congregational Church with interment afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.
United entertained Grove United in this NAFL Division 1B league match and yes if you had to have a second look at the score line, yes United did win and convincingly at that.
United have not had the best of seasons so far following the loss of a number of senior players who have chosen to play elsewhere however the club still retain a cadre of players who along with a strong group of young players have been working very hard to reverse the clubs fortunes. While Rome wasn’t built in a day manager Alan Davis and his assistant Paul Allison will have seen very positive signs from this performance.
Right from the start United were on the attack with a strong wind in their backs and on 15 minutes David Kelly waltzed through the visitors defence to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. On twenty minutes, team captain Gavin Crawford pounced on a loose ball to drive the ball into the Grove net from twenty-five yards.
Grove, despite going behind proved to be a constant threat and the United defence of Paul Dickson, Alan Patterson, Scott Brashaw and Jack Davis had to be on their toes while keeper John McMenamin blocked a number of shots to keep the visitors out. Ian McMullan and Ross Murray were proving to be a real handful for the Grove defence while the midfield of Stuart McMullan, David Kelly, Gavin Crawford and Gregg Allison worked tirelessly.
In the second half United faced an onslaught from Grove United however the defence held resolute with United having a number of forays forward and these proved to be productive when Ian McMullan scored a third on the hour mark after Stuart McMullan’s shot had come back off the crossbar. This took the pressure off somewhat however the visitors continued to cause problems particularly in midfield. The introduction of substitutes Ben Wilson, Alex Burtney and John Hill gave United extra energy to exploit defensive spaces that were created as Grove pressed for a goal. United’s fourth came when Alex Burtney found space on the left side of the penalty area and while his initial shot was saved he passed the ball across the six-yard area for Gregg Allison to side foot home.
There was a universal sigh of relief and justified excitement amongst players, management, committee and supporters alike when the final whistle was sounded. While there are many hurdles to be overcome throughout the season, this performance, if it can be repeated on a more consistent basis gives more than a glimmer of hope.
Last Saturday was the traditional cup final celebrations at the Millbridge which started at 2.00pm with a match featuring two teams made up of over and under 30’s which provided great entertainment and lots of fun as well as seven goals.
Despite going a few goals down the under 30’s stormed back to win 4-3. Each player taking part made a contribution to support David Griffiths who sustained a broken leg earlier in the season playing for the 2nds and a presentation was made to David prior to the player’s awards event.
BUFC Under and Over 30’s teams, managers and officials
Following the game everybody moved to the clubhouse were they enjoyed a buffet meal followed by the annual end of season prize giving. Club Chairman Gilbert Cromie in his opening remarks thanked all those who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise and finance the club or maintain its Millbridge facilities. He highlighted the stewardship of Treasurer Gareth Bingham and the diligence of groundsman Jimmy Brown who although present is currently recovering from a knee operation. He thanked the many club sponsors for their continued support and the supporters who turned up in their numbers throughout the season which was very much appreciated.
Referring to the first team’s relegation disappointing as it was he thanked former manager Keith Hamilton for his unstinting efforts and expressed the club’s gratitude to Scott Brashaw and Ross Hayes for stepping in to take in the role until the end of the season.
One shining light in the season was the introduction of an almost entirely youth based second team managed by Alan Davis and Paul Allison which had received considerable plaudits from within the Newcastle league and from which a number of players had joined the first team squad acquitting themselves very well.
In closing the Chairman refereed to the appointment of Alan Davis and Paul Allison as first team managers with Gareth Bingham and Davy Teggarty taking over the seconds. He assured them that the club committee would give them 100% support and he asked the players and supporters to do the same as we all try to take the club forward.
The awards which were presented by the first and second team managers were as follows:
1st Team
Players Player of the Year: Gavin Crawford.
Managers Player of the Year: Jack Davis.
Leading Scorer: Gavin Crawford.
2nd Team
Players Player of the Year: Ross Murray.
Managers Player of the Year: Alex Burtney.
Leading Scorer: Ross Murray.
Young Player of the Year: Jack Davis.
Overall Leading Club Scorer: Ross Murray.
Club Officials pictured with Award winners l-r Davy Teggarty, Alan Davis, Ross Murray,Jack Davis, Ross Hayes, Alex Burtney & Scott Brashaw
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