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The club would like to confirm the departure of former club Captain Cillin Gilmour.

Cillin had been a regular in his time at the club, and had shown great loyalty at a difficult time last season. Unfortunately a long term injury has curtailed his career. Both player and club have come to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.

Cillin had this message for supporters:

I want to thank everyone at the club for my time at Ballyclare. I met some of the best people I know. It’s a really special club with great people. The club did amazing to accommodate me through a tough period in my life, and again I cannot thank these people involved enough.

I loved my time at Ballyclare. It allowed me to enjoy playing football again. I’ve been struggling with a long term knee injury, with no sign of return as of now, so it’s the right decision to step away.

Thanks for the memories.

Cillin

Our Chairman, James Kirk added, “I was a long time admirer of Cillin and was pleased when he signed for the club. His aggressive combative style of midfield play was easy on the eye, and his eye for goal will be missed. I will personally miss him, but I would like to thank him for all his efforts at the club and wish him nothing but success for the future.”

New manager Barry Baggley has been busy over the weekend bolstering his squad ahead of this weekend’s Playr-Fit Championship match against Newry City.

With no fewer than six new faces at Dixon Park for training tonight, we are delighted to announce the following arrivals:

Dylan Graham – the young goalkeeper is no stranger to Ballyclare Comrades, having been a Club mascot at the 2007 Steel & Sons Cup Final. Dylan will be joining on loan from Larne until the end of the season, having previously been at Everton and Ballymena United, where he made a handful of appearances in the NIFL Premiership.

Jaydyn Withers – A centre forward who joins us from Dundela where he has been since the start of this season. Jaydyn made his breakthrough into senior football at Carrick Rangers making a number of NIFL Premiership appearances, having been in the academies of both Larne and Cliftonville.

Keevan Hawthorne – Current Northern Ireland U19 international. Plays as either a left back.or left winger, and has appeared for Cliftonville’s first team in both the Premiership and Irish Cup this season. Keevan will be joining on loan until the end of the season.

Jay Riley – 20 year old right back joins on loan for the remainder of this season from Portadown. Jay made his senior football debut at the age for 14 for Coleraine, before moving to Airdrie in Scotland. He joined Portadown a year ago and has made a handful of Premiership appearances this season.

Dylan Snoddon – 22 year old centre back joins from Immaculata, having previously played for Bangor and Cliftonville, where he made his first team debut at the age of 17.

We welcome all the lads to Dixon Park and look forward to seeing them in a Comrades shirt!

We will have some more news on player incomings later this week.

Our two games that were postponed due to waterlogged pitches have now been rescheduled.

Dergview v Ballyclare Comrades (originally Sat 18 November) now Tuesday 30 January – kick-off: 8:00pm

Portadown v Ballyclare Comrades (originally Sat 9 December) now Tuesday 12 March – kick-off: 8:00pm

Our Commercial Director Patrick Moore is delighted to welcome the McCann Family Foundation as a pitchside sponsor.

Barry McCann started the foundation to get the kids of Easterhouse, Scotland back playing the sports they love whether it be football, boxing, weightlifting or fishing. Barry has now sponsored junior, semi pro and adult teams to help as costs increase. Barry also sponsors another football team in Belfast, all in the name of his late father, Big Bill McCann and all his other family members that have passed away in past few years.

Patrick said, “I’m extremely pleased that the club can Partner with Barry and the Foundation and continue to display McCann logo in Ballyclare.”