Pre-season – the story so far…

Pre-season training has continued over the last number of weeks with good attendances although as expected a number have come and gone through holidays.

United have also been engaged in number of friendly matches with victories against Ballynagross and Crewe and a defeat to Ford.

All of these matches have provided the team with stiff opposition and this coming week will be no different with games against Ballymacash (Tuesday 23rd July), Rathfriland (Saturday 27th July) and Ards F.C (Tuesday 30th July).

It is good to see a few new faces as well and anyone who has not got fixed up with a club will be made more than welcome.

There will be a friendly on Wednesday 24th July at Millbridge against Rossglass for Swifts and Albion players.

Everyone at the club is looking forward to the visit of Ards F.C who will this year compete in the Irish League Premier Division.  There have always been a lot of Ards supporters around Ballynahinch and it is hoped that a good number will take the opportunity of coming along to support local football.

Resignation of Johnny Reid as Swifts Manager

It is with regret that Ballynahinch United accept Johnny Reid’s decision to step down as manager of the Swifts [United’s 2nd team].

Johnny informed Chairman Gilbert Cromie at training last night [Thursday 18th July] that he had decided to step down owing to increasing work and family commitments.

The committee and players of the club would like to place on record their thanks to Johnny for all the hard work he has put in over the years both as a manager and player and are delighted that Johnny has indicated that he will continue to be involved in the club.

Johnny’s first managerial experience came with The Albion [United’s 3rd team] who he steered to a Newcastle & District League reserve league title with a team that played a flowing brand of football and scored a lot of goals.

He was asked by the committee to fill the vacant Swifts management  position the following season and since then he has steered them to very respectable league positions in each season and last season the team only lost two out of their final seventeen matches which was an outstanding record given the team changes that are part and parcel of managing a 2nd  team.

The process to find a successor will now commence and the club would welcome applications from interested parties. The position gives prospective candidates the opportunity to work alongside the existing United management team of Colin Murray and Keith Hamilton with a particular target of developing players for first team duty.

Anyone interested should contact the Club Chairman Gilbert Cromie [07436112954] as soon as possible.

Full Pre-Season Programme

JULY

When? What? Where?
Tues 2nd July Training (7pm Start) Castlewellan Forest Park
Thur 4th July Training (7pm Start) Millbridge
Sat 6th July Training (2pm Start) Sand Dunes
Mon 8th July Training (7pm Start) Millbridge
Wed 10th July Ballynagross (7pm KO) Millbridge
Tues 16th July Ford (7pm) Millbridge
Thur 18th July Training (7pm Start) Millbridge
Sat 20th July Crewe Utd (2.30pm KO) Millbridge
Tues 23rd July Ballymacash (7pm KO) Millbridge
Wed 24th July Rossglass (7pm KO – 2nds & 3rds match) Millbridge
Thur 25th July Training (7pm Start) Millbridge
Sat 27th July Rathfriland (2.30pm KO) Millbridge
Tues 30th July Ards FC (7pm KO) Millbridge

 

AUGUST

When? What? Where?
Sat 3rd August Woodvale (2.30pm KO) Millbridge
Tues 6th August Training (7pm Start) Millbridge
Thur 8th August Training (7pm Start) Millbridge
Sat 10th August Season Starts

Pre-season training begins this Saturday – 29th June

Pre-season training begins at the Millbridge this Saturday 29th June at 2pm. Sessions will continue each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday but some will not necessarily be held at Millbridge. If you cant make the first session but would like details of the other sessions please keep checking back for updates on this site

The club would be keen to encourage players who would like the challenge of stepping up to Intermediate standard to come along and give it a go. Also players who have played at this level and have moved into the area would be made very welcome.

Last season the club finished mid table in Division 1B  and this year they are determined to make a challenge for promotion. The team have proved in recent seasons that they can perform at the highest level defeating more established sides such as Loughgall and Ballymoney to name but a few in cup competitions. They also reached the fifth round of the Irish Cup before losing to Irish Premier League opposition in Coleraine.

In addition to the Intermediate team the club also fields teams in the NAFL Division 3D and the Newcastle League Division 3.

The senior team will again be managed by Colin Murray and Keith Hamilton.

If anyone would like more information please contact the Club Secretary on 07436112954 or contact us via this website.