Category: Club News

We’re delighted to announce that Jack Johnston has signed his first professional contract until summer 2027, with the option to extend for a third year.

A product of our Boys Academy, JJ joined the Club at the age of 13 and has progressed through the ranks to cement his place as a first team regular in recent months.

JJ is another example of the opportunity provided by the player pathway at Ballyclare Comrades and we look forward to seeing him perform in a red shirt for years to come.

#JJ22
#COYC
#OneOfOurOwn

Ballyclare Comrades has recently celebrated 100 years as part of the Ballyclare Community, within the borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey. Home, since 1936, has been at Dixon Park, in the centre of town. The club has grown massively in the last few years with the creation of girls and boys academies accommodating over 500 junior players.Around 60 adult male players and 30 adult female players form the backbone of the senior teams. Dixon Park hastwo fully seated, covered stands, one combined seating and standing covered facility behind one goal and a covered standing facility behind the other goal. The capacity of the stadium is a testament to its allure, accommodating atotal of 3780 spectators. Among them, 3236 fans can stand, 538 can enjoy the comfort of seated areas, and sixdesignated bays are allocated for disabled spectators, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all.

Recent investment in new LED floodlights and 3G synthetic pitch now enable the pitch facilities at Dixon Park to be used for approximately 35 hours per week. This enables the club to focus on the third element of its current strategic plan, replacing the existing single storey clubhouse with a new two-storey clubhouse having significantly increased floor space. It is envisaged that the bottom floor will house enhanced football team facilities whilst the top floor will having a flexible interior layout. providing the opportunity to have corporate activities for the clubcreate of a ‘health and wellbeing’ community hub that can serve as a catalyst for the holistic development of individuals within thecommunity. This envisioned hub could provide valuable support for the physical, social and psychological well-being of local residents. With easy access from local schools and commerce, together with the nearby transportation facilities, this facility could be a centerpiece feature in the regeneration of Ballyclare town centre.

In 2023, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council agreed to fund consultants to assess the economic justificationfor investment in such a facility. A case study with mixed method approach to data collection was undertaken.Qualitative research was used to conduct a variety of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from thefootball club, borough council and local area. All of the interviews were conducted via face-to-face meetings, phonecalls or Microsoft Teams. The semi structured interviews and focus group had predetermined themes and theinterviewer was able to guide the interviewee to explore different avenues depending on the interview, thisflexibility allowed participants the opportunity to address any necessary themes relating to this project.

The team also conducted quantitative research and questionnaires were created focusing on the key informationnecessary to extract the relevant information based on the objectives which were previously set out. The questionnaire contained a variety of closed and open questions and also asked the participant if they would bewilling to participate in any follow up conversations. Questionnaires were created using the online survey platformMicrosoft Forms and were distributed electronically by sharing a hyperlink, this allowed participants t0 answer themvia their phones, laptops or tablets. These were advertised by the borough council and the football club.

Public consultations were conducted at Dixon Park, having also been advertised through the council and the football club. During the consultations, participants were asked a serious of questions regarding their thoughts on thecurrent facilities at Dixon Park, what they believed the people of Ballyclare and the neighbouring community needed,what they would like to see at a potential community hub and more.

Participants commented on the growth of Ballyclare in recent years and the new housing estates that were beingbuilt locally and felt that the town needed investment to ensure there are facilities to suit the needs of the community.The feeling was that a community hub would have many health and wellbeing benefits and would provide moreopportunities for young people and older adults to socialise, instead of local bars or churches.

Consultees believed that there could be many social, economic and health benefits for Ballyclare if there was acommunity hub based at Dixon Park. The vast majority of people felt that Ballyclare, like many other areas, has beenhaving a lot of issues with mental health and wellbeing. Consultees were of the belief that a community hub wouldbenefit the community as it would be somewhere in town that would be able to host mental health awareness workshops, informational sessions and educational workshops.

Mental health and wellbeing for all age groups were the main themes coming out of the consultations. Subsequent engagement with mental health professionals indicated that the mix of indoor and outdoor facilities on the same site would be very attractive. Other professionals indicated the need for safe, controlled, outdoor space, particularly for both children and adults with varying levels of mobility and needs.

The club have therefore recently submitted a bid for funding to The Northern Ireland Football Fund. This fund supersedes the Sub Regional Stadia Program of £36.2M which was first muted in 2011 but never actually opened for applications. Initial design consultations estimate that a complete building project would cost in the region of £1.5M with the club required to contribute at least 5%, £75000 in this case.

We are delighted to announce that Club Captain Cillin Gilmour has signed an 18 month contract at Ballyclare Comrades running through to June 2026.

Cillin Gilmour, “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to commit to the Club for the next 18 months. I think it’s a massive step in the right direction for both me personally, but also shows the ambitions that the Club have and shows that they want to commit to me as a player. I can’t wait to help drive this team forward over the next 18 months and see where we can take the Club to. It’s been well documented that we have a lot of new players in and now it’s time to get them all settled and I’m confident they’ll be able help us kick on.”

First team manager Barry Baggley had this to say, “Ciliin is our club captain and someone who leads by example on and off the pitch. He is well respected by all his teammates, he sets high standards in the changing room. We are delighted he has committed his future to the Club as we feel he is coming into his peak as a player and this can only benefit Ballyclare. It’s just reward for Cillin for his performances and a sign of intent from the club that we were keen to keep him as he had interest from other clubs.”

Chairman Jamesy Kirk also expressed his thoughts, “Cillin’s attitude and leadership during a really difficult period for the club these last 2 weeks has been highly commendable. Cillin will be instrumental in working to gel in all the new players to get this great club back on track. We had no hesitation in offering Cillin an extended professional contract for his commitment shown. The Club is delighted that Cillin has agreed to stay and lead us through at least the next 18 months.”

Welcome to Matthew Gorman and Gary Warwick as they add more depth and vital Playr-Fit Championship experience to our new look squad. (Pictured L-R: Matthew Gorman, Jonny Flynn and Gary Warwick)

27 year old centre back Gorman joins from Queens University, where he had moved to in the summer after making 53 appearances in the Championship in the previous two seasons at Ards and Newington.

33 year old striker Warwick joins from Lisburn Distillery and also brings a vast amount of Championship experience from spells at Ards, Portadown, Carrick Rangers, Knockbreda and Newington over the last ten years.

Meanwhile, Tomas Gilmour and Lee McGreevy both depart to join Newington. Tomas made 42 appearances for the Comrades scoring one goal, while Lee made 37 appearances scoring one goal on his debut against Strabane Athletic in last year’s Clearer Water Irish Cup. We thank both for their contributions to the Comrades and wish them well.

More good news as Barry Baggley has confirmed his backroom team.

Ryan Catney – Assistant Manager
Former Lisburn Distillery and Cliftonville player, where he twice picked up NIFL Premiership winners medals.

Jonny Flynn – First team coach
Former Northern Ireland U21 defender who played for clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Ballymena United, Portadown and Ards.

Liam McStravick – Head of Player Recruitment
Ex Linfield Academy coach and Cliftonville elite coach.

Gerard McVeigh – GK coach
Gerard was at the Club under Stephen Small and remains as a key part of coaching staff.

Tanya Warwick will also remain as the Club Physio and Andy Arthurs will continue as our Kit Manager.

Thanks to Departing Staff

The Club would like to place on record our thanks to outgoing Assistant Manager Chris Ramsey and First Team attendant Michael Higgins for all of their efforts during their time in the dugout.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Barry Baggley as our new First Team Manager.

Barry joins us from Crewe United, having previously enjoyed two promotions during his six years at the helm at Rosario YC, taking them into the Premier Division of the Amateur League.

We will announce details on Barry’s backroom team in due course.

Barry spent some time at Dixon Park getting familiar with the facilities, and looking forward to getting started with the team, in the build up to next week’s game against Newry.

Ballyclare Comrades FC can confirm that Stephen Small has tendered his resignation, which the Club has reluctantly accepted.

Having joined The Comrades in March 2022, Stephen guided the team away from the threat of relegation and built an exciting young team, reaching back-to-back Irish Cup Quarter Finals and recording some notable league and cup victories during his tenure.

Stephen will remain in charge for tonight’s Playr-Fit Championship fixture against H&W Welders, but will depart after that.

We thank Stephen for all of his hard work during his time with us, and wish him and his staff nothing but the best for the future.

We will announce the application process for a new Manager later today.

Today is World Mental Health day, and NIFL, along with Action Mental Health have launched a new campaign this week called Statement Shirts. By wearing retro shirts fans are encouraged to start the conversation and break the stigma around mental health.

Club captain Cillin Gilmour, forward Brian Healy and midfielder Lee McGreevy donned a few retro shirts this week as part of the campaign promotion, and we caught up with Cillin afterwards to talk about mental health within the world of football locally.

“I think it’s a brilliant thing the league is doing and what the teams are buying in to. Obviously here in this country it is something that needs addressed and we say this every time this time of the year comes around  and we always repeat ourselves, but we repeat ourselves because something does have to be done and stuff like this really, really brings to light just how rife mental health issues are here.

You know, being part of a team like Ballyclare with a real great community around it,  with a real great team and coaching staff around it is something that helps so much. It’s an escape, it’s a happy place for me and the boys to go to on a Tuesday night, Thursday night, and on Saturday afternoon. Win, lose or draw for those 90 minutes, every time, football is the only thing on your mind, and that can be a great release of stress.

We have such a good group here in Ballyclare, where we do share our feelings with each other, we do talk to each other, when we’re down or when we’re upset, but it is something that that we could obviously do more of. I’m quite good expressing my emotions, and how I am feeling,  but a lot of time even when I am down, I don’t go quiet I do the complete opposite, I then become loud and real chatty, I almost mask it rather than just talking about it, and that is just sort of a coping mechanism for me. Obviously being a man, it’s that natural instinct in us to hide how we’re feeling if we are feeling down, and not wanting to talk about it and express our feelings to other people, so I think that a scheme like this that the league and the club are putting on, is a brilliant thing. I think everybody should really buy into this and it could be the start of something big.

I know that Davy McDaid, Jonny McMurray and Jeff Hughes are doing some brilliant, brilliant work at the minute with their Man On program so it is being brought forward quite a bit more than what it usually was, and I think it’s hugely important that the clubs, fans, players, everyone around clubs talk about this and buys into this. Hopefully this won’t just be a once a year thing, this will become an ongoing thing, a weekly thing and monthly thing as the boys are doing down at Larne with Davy, Jeff and Jonny.  This will be a start to address the whole mental health crisis here in this country because it is obviously a problem that we face.

If this only helps one person speak up about their problems rather than doing something extreme or harm themselves, whatever it may be, then it’s been an absolute massive success. It will hit home for people, a lot of people. 
Everyone’s been affected by suicide or self harm, you don’t know anyone nowadays who hasn’t been affected by it.

I’m really looking forward to seeing it over the weekend and for all the fans and the clubs to be posting about it, I think it’ll be a really, really brilliant thing and I think it will help help hundreds and hundreds of people.
”

If you are needing to talk so someone about anything that you are going through, then this page is a good place to start: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/get-help

We look forward to seeing the retro kits this weekend, and throughout the season.