Category: Club News

We are delighted to confirm that Bobby Higgins has committed to the Comrades for another season. Bobby, a local lad who came through the ranks at Ballyclare Comrades, returned to us last summer, and cemented his place at the heart of our defence, taking his appearances for the club to over 100. First Team Manager, Nathan McConnell has also confirmed that Bobby will be the new club captain, and here’s what he had to say about Bobby taking over the captaincy,

When the club captaincy became available over the past few days there was no hesitation in who we wanted to lead this squad going forward. Bobby is Ballyclare Comrades through and through and we believe he is the right man to take over the armband. In the short space of time that Gary, Graeme and myself have been here we have been very impressed by how Bobby conducts himself both on and off the pitch. I’m sure the supporters and members of the club right down to the Academy will be delighted to see a local lad lead out the team each week and hopefully to success in the future.

We are pleased to confirm the signing of two players this evening, Ashton McDermott and Stuart Hutchinson. Ashton is no stranger to the Comrades, having played for us during the 21/22 season before moving to Knockbreda. Stuart joins us after making over 100 appearances for Warrenpoint.

First Team Manager Nathan McConnell had this to say about the two latest additions to the squad,

We are absolutely delighted to secure the signatures of two very experienced and versatile players at this level. Both bring excellent levels of professionalism and very high standards and they are exactly the type of characters we want at this club going forward.

Ashton comes to us having recently played over 150 games for Knockbreda. His experience and know-how at this level will benefit our squad greatly but especially the younger members of the squad. His quality on the ball, high work-rate and commitment will be something the supporters will appreciate and enjoy seeing throughout the season in a Ballyclare shirt.

Stuart is a player who comes with a wealth of experience at all levels in this country having played for both Warrenpoint and Ballinamallard during various spells. He can deputise in two or three positions which will benefit the squad greatly going forward. Alongside his excellent leadership qualities the supporters will enjoy watching an excellent footballer in a comrades shirt and they will be delighted he has chosen Dixon Park to further his football career.

Welcome back Ashton, and welcome to Dixon Park Stuart, we look forward to seeing you both this incoming season!

After our final game of the season we held our end of season awards presentation. Thanks to all the fans who stayed with us on the evening. 

Here is a list of all the winners:

Jackie Patterson Memorial Trophy for Goal of the Season – Michael Leetch

McMeekin Family Trophy for 1st Team Top Goalscorer – Brandon Doyle

Josh Beggs Trophy for Young Player of the Year – Karter Bond

Kirk Family Trophy for Player’s Player of the Year – Deaglan Healy

Bobby Baird Trophy for Player of the Year – Bobby Higgins

Supporters Club Player of the Year – Karter Bond

Arthurs Family Award – Clubperson of the Year – Jim Nesbitt

We are delighted to announce that Nathan Best has returned to Ballyclare Comrades. Nathan was with us for the first half of last season, before going to Lisburn Distillery. Nathan is a pacy winger, with good technical ability, who is also a Futsal International with Northern Ireland.

Here’s what First Team Manager Nathan McConnell had to say,

“We are absolutely delighted to bring Nathan back to Dixon Park. He returns to the club after a brief spell with Lisburn Distillery where his performances in the attacking areas caught the eye and we felt his qualities could certainly improve our team and squad. The supporters are getting a player who has a high work ethic, and a hunger to succeed and bring success to Ballyclare Comrades.”

Welcome back Nathan!

We are pleased to announce that Ballyclare native Callum Cowan has joined the Comrades. Callum joins us from Harland & Wolff Welders, after coming through the Development Programme at Larne. Callum is a talented defender, and we look forward to seeing him develop with us.

First Team Manager Nathan McConnell had this to say about Callum signing, “We are absolutely delighted that Callum has decided to further his football career here with us at Ballyclare Comrades. Callum is a local lad and fits the profile to the type of player we want to attract to Ballyclare Comrades going forward.

He is a player that I have known and admired since his time at Linfield and Larne and when I knew of his availability and interest in coming to the Club we were determined to bring him to Dixon Park .

He already has shown his excellent technical ability and quality on the ball in the training sessions he has had with us and he will no doubt increase the competition within the squad and we are very much looking forward to working with him in pre season.”

Welcome home Callum!

We are pleased to confirm the new coaching team alongside Men’s First Team Manager Nathan McConnell.

• Gary Scott joins as Assistant Manager, after a spell as Head of Youth Academy at Carrick Rangers;
• Graeme Arthur joins as 1st Team Coach after a playing career that included Crusaders, Bangor, Newry and Carrick Rangers, along with coaching at PSNI, Carrick Rangers and Larne;
• Allen Huxley, no stranger to us at Ballyclare Comrades having played for us, and coached in the Boys Academy, joins as Goalkeeper Coach;
• Jim Nesbitt continues as Physio;
• Andy Arthurs remains as kitman.

Welcome to Ballyclare Comrades!

We caught up with new First Team Manager Nathan McConnell tonight, ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Oxford Sunnyside. Hear his thoughts on why he felt this was the right job for him, how he see’s the club currently and his aims for the future.

Recently, Robert Hamilton stepped down from his role as Interim Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Board for personal reasons, and we’d like to place on record our appreciation for Robert’s efforts in his time on the Board. 

This brings the number of departures from the Board to three this season, and with that in mind, we can announce the co-opting of three new members: Ian McKinney, Steven Lowry, and Ryan McMullan. Additionally, we have restructured the roles within the Board.

This evening, we are pleased to confirm that Robert Fleck has become our Chairman, with Steven Lowry assuming the Vice Chair role. Steven has been the driving force behind our Ladies teams. Paul Jenkins will take on the role of Treasurer, while all other posts remain the same, with Tim Duff as Secretary, and Robert Bell as President. 

We are still on the lookout to add further members to our Board, and if this is something you would like to know more about, please get in contact with any of the Board members. 

With our recruitment process now completed, we can confirm that outgoing Manager Barry Baggley has now left the Club.

We wish to place on record our thanks to Barry and his team for all their efforts during their time at Dixon Park. We wish Barry and his coaching staff all the best in their future footballing endeavours.

Paul Finnegan and Stewart McIlroy will be taking interim control of the upcoming matches against Rathfriland & Strabane, with Nathan McConnell taking charge for the first time when we face Oxford Sunnyside on 10 April.

#nihilnisioptimi

After a thorough recruitment process the Club has reached an agreement with Nathan McConnell to become First Team Manager.

We will announce details of the transition between Barry Baggley and Nathan over the coming days.

Nathan played at the top level of Irish league football in the Premiership for a number of clubs including Ballymena United, Cliftonville, and Carrick Rangers. After his playing days, Nathan went in to coaching, learning under David Jeffrey and Brian McLoughlin at Ballymena United, and currently Michael Gault alongside David Healy at Linfield. Nathan is a PE teacher in Ashfield Boys High School, and is Lead Academy Coach for their football Academy in partnership Glentoran FC.

We will confirm the backroom staff in due course.

Welcome to Dixon Park Nathan.