Ballynahinch United F.C.

Ballynahinch United
Full nameBallynahinch United Football Club
Founded1968
GroundMillbridge, Ballynahinch
ManagerJonathan Smith
LeagueNAFL Division 1C

Ballynahinch United Football Club is a Northern Irish, intermediate football club playing in Division 1B of the Northern Amateur Football League. The club is based in Ballynahinch, County Down, and was formed in 1968. As well as the first team, there is a second team playing in the Newcastle and District League Division 1.

Club history

The club formed in 1968 and originally played in the Newcastle and District League. After winning a number of league titles and the Harry Clark Cup, United moved to the Northern Amateur Football League in the 1970s and have remained ever since.

In the early 1990s, the gained promotion to Division 1A but were unable to maintain the status.

They have also had cup success in the Border Cup (1988/89) and Clarence Cup (1996/97).

Border Regiment Cup Win

On 27 December 1989, Ballynahinch United reached the pinnacle of Amateur League Football in Northern Ireland by defeating 1A giants British Telecoms in the Border Regiment Cup Final at Wilgar Park.

Trevor Tate gave the underdogs the lead with a blistering free kick from 25 yards in the first half. They fell behind after BT fought back to go 2-1 ahead. But Mark Hughes forced the game into extra time and penalties after scoring from the spot when Club Stalwart Brian Mckibben had been upended.

The two teams couldn't be separated in extra time and the final went to penalties where John Leonard saved British Telecom's first and fourth penalties.

Player, Manager and Captain, Brian McKibben scored his spot kick to defeat the 1A Giants and send the revered Border Cup to Ballynahinch for the first time.

The Champions took an open topped lorry tour of Ballynahinch to show off the silverware adorned in glorious sky blue ribbons.

| Chairman: Bobby Reid

The team included: David Dunlop, Mark Hughes, Kieran McGrady, John Leonard (Goalkeeper), Alan Brown, Paddy McCartan, Trevor Tate, Campbell Allen. Andy Cross, David Crainey, Brian McKibbin (Player Manager), Wilson Hamilton, Norman McCullough, Alan Carson.

Honours

Intermediate honours

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