Category: News

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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Link to interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBI1u9iHaqw

Paul Harbinson discusses our new signing, Howard Beverland.

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Ballyclare Comrades is pleased to announce the signing of experienced Irish League defender, Howard Beverland.

The 31-year-old defender joins the Comrades from Coleraine FC, bringing a wealth of experience to the club after playing at the highest level in the country for 14  years with Coleraine and Crusaders, where he lifted the Irish Premiership Title, the Irish Cup and Co. Antrim Shield.

“It’s great to be here,” said our new signing. “I’m hungry to play and embrace a new league. I’ve played in the Premiership for the last 14 years or so but the standard has increased across all levels and it’s great to come and challenge in this tough Championship. There’s a very clear focus and aim to push on at the club, everyone giving their best to work for each other, and we’ll see where that takes us.”

“I’m absolutely delighted and over the moon,” said Paul Harbinson. “I want to pay a massive thanks to Oran Kearney, he made it so easy and was fantastic with us. Howard is a cup winner, a league winner, he’s done it, he knows how to manage games. He brings professionalism, experience, he’s an absolute gentleman, so easy to work with, and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Howard will wear the number 12 shirt this season. Want to show support for Howard? You can sponsor him for £20 for the season and you will get your name/business listed beside Howard on our Sponsor A Player page, as well as a photo opportunity with him. You can sponsor Howard here.

Welcome to Dixon Park, Howard!

Tom Mathieson rejoins for a second spell after a loan stint from Crusaders was cut short by the first covid lockdown. Since leaving us Tom has spent time at Dundela and Ballymena.

Paul Harbinson said “We already know the quality and versatility Tom brings and we are delighted that the opportunity arose to bring him back to the club.”

Tom will wear the number 14 shirt for the season and you can sponsor him here.

Welcome back Tom!

The 19 year old midfielder joins from Coleraine.

“Eoghan has impressed with both his ability and his attitude since he arrived in preseason,” said Paul Harbinson. “His determination to do well and to keep improving is a huge asset to the club.”

Eoghan will wear the number 28 shirt this season and you can sponsor Eoghan for the 2021/22 season here.

Welcome to Dixon Park, Eoghan.

Paul Harbinson has hailed Chris Ramsey’s leadership qualities after confirming the centre half as our new club captain.

The experienced defender takes the armband, following the departure of previous club captain, JB Dobbin.

So why does Harbinson feel that Ramsey is the best man for the job?

“Right from the very first meeting, we were convinced that Chris was the right type of person for this club. His attitude and professionalism stood out a mile and his determination to succeed is very obvious.

“He is a winner who demands high standards of himself and those around him. In the short space of time since his arrival, he has commanded the respect of his peers in the dressing room, making him the obvious choice of natural leader to move the club forward.”

After 150 games and 4 goals across 5 seasons since joining in the summer of 2015 from PSNI, club captain and fan favourite, JB Dobbin, has decided to step away from football due to personal commitments.

All at Ballyclare Comrades FC would like to thank JB for his exemplary professionalism and leadership throughout his time at the club. 

You will always be welcome to Dixon Park, JB.

Ballyclare Comrades is Getting Active about Emotional Health & Wellbeing!

Saturday 21st August 2021 @Dixon Park; Gates open 11.30am

Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult for this event!

This is a TAKE 5 STEPS TO WELLBEING EVENT:

We are seeking to make Ballyclare Comrades a Take 5 Community Group and will be holding a Wellbeing event (Saturday 21st August) to promote the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing message and give parents and young people the opportunity to understand how this can work for them

We will have a number of voluntary/statutory agencies within the Z-card directory of services that will be available to discuss their support at this event and highlight how support can be accessed for these services. We hope to have a number of advice services to discuss access to grants for school uniforms and free school meals etc.

This event will be open to the whole community and aims to encourage Families/Carers/young people from the communities within the borough of Antrim/Newtownabbey to understand the importance/impact of mental health on emotional health and wellbeing; to access support and how using the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing can assist them with this.

We will also have an unsupervised quiet space for children and adults to go to should they require this.

Asda are supporting this event through their Community Champion, so that we can have a BBQ at the event and all money raised is being donated to the local foodbank.

This event is being supported by Bob&Berts franchise.

Ballyclare Comrades FC are delighted to announce the signing of versatile player, Liam McKenna.

McKenna, 22, has impressed at left-back throughout our pre-season friendlies and will also provide competition in the defensive midfield role.

Liam comes with experience playing in the top tier following spells with Warrenpoint Town, Portadown, Knockbreda and most recently, Carrick Rangers.

“I am buzzing to have signed for Ballyclare,” Liam McKenna said. “From the moment I started training and playing in the friendlies, the players and staff have all been brilliant. Paul told me the plans for the future and I was sold straight away. Ballyclare is a great club and I can’t wait to get started.”

Equally happy with the signing, Paul Harbinson added, “I am delighted to get Liam on board. Liam comes with a wealth of experience and we are absolutely confident this is a great signing for us. He is a fantastic versatile footballer with the right mentality to drive himself, and everyone around him, on.”

Liam will wear the number 4 shirt this season. Welcome to the Comrades Liam!

Ballyclare Comrades is delighted to announce the signing of forward Ciaran Heggarty.

Ciaran is the latest of Paul Harbinson’s new recruits at Dixon Park, joining from amateur league side Larne Tech Old Boys.

The forward came up through the ranks in his hometown, Larne, where he started his playing days at Larne Youth before going on to play for Larne FC & Larne Olympic. Most recently, Heggarty has been playing at Larne Tech Old Boys after spending two years out of the game following an injury.

“I’m delighted to sign for the club,” Ciaran Heggarty said. “I’m raring for the season to start and am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Delighted to recruit the attacker, Paul Harbinson added,

“I’m really pleased we’ve got Ciaran on board. He is an exciting talent who has already shown that he will be a huge asset for the coming season.”

Welcome to the Comrades, Ciaran!

Ciaran will wear the number 18 shirt this season, you can sponsor the forward here.