Category: News

Ballyclare Comrades is pleased to announce the signing of experienced Irish League forward, Michael Smith.

The 29-year-old joins the Comrades from Dundela after spending the past 4 seasons with Danske Bank Premiership side, Carrick Rangers.

“I’m very happy to be here,” said Michael Smith. “I’m really looking forward to getting on the pitch and playing games and hopefully bringing the goals to push us up the table. After speaking with Paul, I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

“We’re delighted to get a player of Michael’s quality over the line,” said Paul Harbinson. “I know a lot of clubs were interested in him so for him to choose to come here is fantastic for us. I’ve known him for a few years and know he is a great professional who will add a real goal threat to our ranks.”

Michael will wear the number 9 shirt for the Comrades. Want to show support for Michael? You can sponsor him for £20 for this season and you will get your name/business listed beside Michael on our Sponsor A Player page, as well as a photo opportunity with him. You can sponsor Michael here.

Entry to our upcoming ToalsBet.com County Antrim Shield Semi Final clash against Larne next Tuesday 7th December is by TICKET ONLY. No cash gate will be available.

Comrades fans will be in the McKay Stand at Inver Park, and tickets priced at £10 adult and £6 concession are available at the link below:

https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/larne-fc/event/7f4a35c8-62e2-4089-860c-322f1d369c4b?fbclid=IwAR1e0pGFLGeJ733HkVcWXvJh3uP3Un_tbNEB290hCON-76MddhKu_1UiOHg

Tomorrow night’s ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield fixture at home to Crusaders FC has been postponed.

A new date will be confirmed in due course.

Assistant Manager, Gareth Moody, thanks everyone from Ballyclare Comrades for supporting him last week as he took part in the London Marathon in aid of Marie Curie, in memory of his mum, Sadie.

Ballyclare Comrades FC Uhlsport range is now available online on our Klubfunder shop.

The Klubfunder Shop Window will be open from today, Thursday 16th September, 2021 and will stay open for two weeks closing at midnight on Thursday 30th September, 2021. This will be the last Klubfunder Shop Window until next year so if you want to get any of our available Uhlsport range in time for Christmas, make sure you don’t miss out.

Orders can be placed via our Klubfunder shop @ https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Ballyclare%20Comrades%20Football%20Club/ShopItems

Alternatively, speak to Justyn at the Club Shop at Dixon Park on matchdays to order.

Adam Gray discusses his time at Ballyclare so far after making his 200th appearance for the club against Linfield, as well as the current group of players and the direction the club is going.

In the build up to our Bet McLean League Cup tie vs Linfield, Paul Harbinson spoke with our media team on Linfield, the mood in the camp and some team news. Read on for a full transcript:

Paul, cup nights don’t come much bigger than this one. Home, at Dixon Park, under the lights against the current Premiership and Irish Cup champions. How much are you looking forward to this one?

We’re all very much looking forward to the game as an opportunity to test ourselves against the very best and also to tidy up a lot of what we haven’t been tidy with in the last few weeks. We have a big couple of weeks ahead and collectively, we don’t feel that we are performing to our potential so it gives us a chance against the best to really challenge our mentality and our determination.

What has the mood been like in the camp in preparation for the match?

The mood has been excellent. We had a training session on Sunday morning together and the players were all feeling fit and strong and there is a real feeling of togetherness. We are blessed to have a fantastic group of players both personally and professionally so it makes it very easy to work with.

Any injuries concerns going into the game?

We have picked up a few minor injuries over the course of the last few games. Chris Ramsey had a little niggle, as did Ciaran Dobbin. We all saw Jack Ferguson slam his back off the post on Saturday so we’ll be cautious about that too. Other than that, we’re happy that everyone else is fighting fit.

Ballyclare will undoubtedly be going into this one as underdogs, but, as we know, anything can happen in cup games. What are Ballyclare’s chances of causing an upset?

I think we’ll just focus on this game as an opportunity to continue on our journey of progression. We want to improve every week and we have stalled a little on that so this is just a midweek chance to put that right. The players are looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll have a good crowd out to enjoy an entertaining game of football.

Ballyclare Comrades representatives Paul Harbinson, Adam Gray and Elliot McKim pictured (above) alongside James Keenan of Lough 41 last week at the launch of the new long term sponsorship between the NI Football League and Lough 41 at Antrim Loughshore Park.

We thank Lough 41 for their support and you can visit their Facebook page here.

Ballyclare Comrades is pleased to announce the signing of 24-year-old versatile defender/midfielder, Ian Fletcher, from Pike Rovers FC.

Ian joins the Comrades after spending a number of seasons in the League of Ireland with Athlone Town and Longford Town.

Paul Harbinson had this to say about his new signing:

“Ian has impressed in both training and in the games we have watched so we are excited to add his talent to our squad. Hopefully his LOI experience will stand him in good stead in the coming months as he is hoping to make a big impact at the Comrades.”

Ian will wear the number 15 shirt this season. Want to show support for Ian? You can sponsor him for £20 for the season and you will get your name/business listed beside Ian on our Sponsor A Player page, as well as a photo opportunity with him. You can sponsor Ian here.

Welcome to Dixon Park Ian.

Link to interview on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SRs3LxSgKA

Our newest signing, Howard Beverland, discusses his move from Coleraine, looking forward to the Championship and his plans for the season ahead.

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