Ballymena United Football Club is pleased to announce that a formal agreement has been entered into with Carniny Amateur and Youth FC in that Carniny will become an associate club of Ballymena United FC for the purpose of coaching and developing young football talents from the area, so that they might ultimately progress to Ballymena United’s Youth, Reserve and First Team squads.

The association has already begun with last seasons Carniny Under 17 squad currently on trial with the Ballymena United FC Youth Team.

Commenting on the recent development Robert Cupples Chairman of Ballymena United stated – For some time now Ballymena United Football Club has recognised the potential of having local Youth Academy’s associated with us. We have been very fortunate to have had Ballymena United Youth Academy working with us for many years. We appreciate the great work they have done for us in the past & will continue to do for us in future years. The change in the economic climate within Irish league football circles has resulted in reduced income for all participating clubs and has necessitated the need to identify and sign local young players who have the potential to play at senior level for Ballymena United. Ballymena United is very much part of the local community and as such we wish to see the best local young footballers developing and coming through to play senior football at the Showgrounds. We look forward to an excellent partnership with Carniny & of course the continuation of our long established successful links with Ballymena United Youth Academy.

Anthony McCartney Chairman of Carniny Amateur and Youth Football Club commented - “We are proud to now be officially associated with our local Irish league club and feel that this is a step forward for local football and undoubtedly will be beneficial to both parties. Our players will now have the opportunity to progress to the senior ranks if suitable and we will endeavour to assist them in achieving this goal by giving them the support and coaching in their years at Carniny before they reach the age eligible to be considered for selection upwards.”