Ballyclare Comrades
Ballyclare Comrades
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Ballyclare
Comrades
FOOTBALL CLUB
My time at Ballyclare Comrades F.C. began 44 years ago when I was invited
onto the committee of the club by my Father-in-law. I had been a Comrades fan
since the age of ten with my fondest memories being of the 60/61 season where
the club won almost everything there was to win at the time.
Since my first committee meeting I
have rose to the position of chairman and
have overseen many a stellar season with
the club. Some of my fondest memories
have been in cup competitions such
as when the club won the Ulster Cup
in 1997 or the Steel and Sons Cup in
1986.
My time at the club has been
extremely rewarding with many
great experiences throughout the
years. I have enjoyed seeing many
young players rise through our ranks
all the way to becoming out and out club
legends.
16 Issue 74
Our youth system here in Ballyclare
(Ballyclare Colts) has produced many
great footballing talents such as Michael
Smith (Hearts FC) and Paddy Flood
who has rose through our ranks and
is now our 1st choice goalkeeper.
After last season, the mood
around our football club is
great. We were so close to the
Premiership but eventually lost
to Institute FC in the Promotion
Playoff. I have definitely seen an
increase in supporter numbers as a
result of our excellent season last year
and this has also produced a great mood
Abbey Real Estate was established in 1999 by local man Fred
Ashton. Fred was originally trained in Osborne King and Megran
and has over 40 years’ experience in the local area, specialising in
all aspects of property including residential and commercial sales
and lettings, land acquisition, sales and development, corporate
asset valuation and property liquidation.
Ryan Ashton told us more about their association with the club,
saying, “I’ve been a big supporter of the club for the past four years
and we’ve sponsored them for three of those. I get along to the
games and it’s great to see them pick up a couple of wins and
hopefully that will continue.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the club the best of luck and
hope that they get the success that they deserve.”
around our local town with many now
more interested in supporting their local
team.
We have an excellent and hard
working committee who help to make
everything run smoothly on match days
and their hard work has helped to create
the great atmosphere around the club
today.
When looking to the future, I hope
to continue our progress and at the club,
we definitely have the goal to reach the
Premier in at least the next five years.
This would be a brilliant achievement for
everyone involved in the club and would
be nothing less than what they deserve.
A step up into the big league would also
be brilliant for the town of Ballyclare and
would definitely help to bring a boost to
the area.
Throughout my time at the club I
have enjoyed seeing the club grow and
develop and the Premier would be the
logical nex