Ballymena United F.C.

Foundation and the War (1934–1946)

Following the demise of Ballymena Football Club at the end of the 1933–34 season, a number of locals set about forming a new club in Ballymena with a view to seeking admission to the Irish League as Ballymena's replacement. Crusaders were also applicants for the vacancy, but at the league's annual general meeting on 20 June 1934, the new club known as Ballymena United was chosen unanimously. The new club took appointed a manager - which was a departure from the previous practice of team selection by committee. The club's first manager, Joe Millar, had arrived from Bournemouth & Boscombe and had previously been capped for Ireland. He used his contacts in Scotland to bring a number of Scottish players to the Showgrounds. However, despite these new players and an Irish Cup semi-final appearance, United suffered in their first season finishing tenth in the league. The 1934–35 season also saw the introduction of the reserve side. In the 1935–36 season, the club finished tenth in the league table and failed to progress in the majority of the cup competitions. Ahead of the 1936–37 season, Jock McNinch left for Sligo Rovers. McNinch left the club after 315 games and was the last remaining link to the 'old' Ballymena side. During the summer, his contribution to the club was recognised when the club granted him a testimonial, the first such gesture by United. Ballymena United finished bottom of the Irish League for the first time, after…

Senior honours

Irish Cup: 5 1939–40, 1957–58, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1988–89 Northern Ireland Football League Cup: 1 2016–17 City Cup: 1 1971–72 Gold Cup: 1 1974–75 Ulster Cup: 3 1951–52*, 1960–61, 1980–81 Irish League First Division: 1 1996–97 County Antrim Shield: 6 1947–48, 1950–51, 1975–76, 1979–80, 2012–13, 2015–16

Intermediate honours

IFA Reserve League: 1 2006–07† Steel & Sons Cup: 1 1995–96† Louis Moore Cup: 1 1952–53† George Wilson Cup: 2 1989–90†, 1990–91† * Tournament was renamed the Festival of Britain Cup for one season † Won by Ballymena United Reserves Source: