[FM23] Ballymena United F.C. – An attempt to take Northern Irish football to the next level

[Vladis]

 

 

One of the most enjoyable saves for me so far is an Irish Shelbourne from FM21. In six (or seven) season we won everything at local level and two years in a row took a part in CL group stages, getting points with some big clubs like Arsenal. Most pleasant moment is that 90% of the squad was Irish players with decent number of academy products among them.
So this time I want something like that.  We will try to achieve as much as possible with an emphasis on development Northern Irish players and staff. And another goal is an improving club infrastructure to match the high standards of modern football. 

 

This is setup we have with adding players from all European top division sides, all European international players, all players based in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and all players of these nationalities.

 

Let`s finally talk about the club.

Where It`s located

Ballymena is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is part of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim. Ballymena incorporates an area of 632 square kilometres (244 square miles) and includes large villages such as Cullybackey, Galgorm, Ahoghill and Broughshane. It had a population of 29,551 people at the 2011 Census, making it the eighth largest town in Northern Ireland by population.

The town is built on land given to the Adair family by King Charles I in 1626, with a right to hold two annual fairs and a free Saturday market in perpetuity. As of 2018, the Saturday market still runs. Ballymena is a shopping hub within Northern Ireland, and is home to Ballymena United F.C.

Club Facilities

We have small but decent stadium with potential expansion to 8000 capacity. Training and youth facilities are not the greatest and it`s an area for improvement but for semi-profi club it`s ok at this time.

Club background

 

The club was formed as Ballymena on 7 April 1928, when four local businessmen and football enthusiasts decided that the town of Ballymena needed a senior football team in the Irish League.

Nicknamed the 'Braidmen' or 'Sky Blues', latterly because of the colour of the home shirts, Ballymena have a rich history in Irish Cup, having won the competition six times.

The main club rivals of Ballymena United are Coleraine. The annual Boxing Day derby fixture between the two teams attracts large crowds and is one of the high-profile fixtures in the Northern Irish football league calendar.

 

Edited January 9, 2023 by Vladis

[Vladis]

*reserved for career updates*

[Vladis]

Meet The Manager

David Jeffrey was the club manager for almost eight years and new board (later about it) decided it`s time for a change and entrusted the post to an almost unexperienced 30-year-old Brendan Lyons who grew up in less then 1 mile from Ballymena Showgrounds.

Meet The Staff

Chaiperson - Bradley McMillan

The only thin I did in pre-game editor is the new chairperson. IRL John Taggart left the club after 9 years at this position and for matching reality I created a legend that new chairmen is 35 y.o. Ballymena born McMillan. And also for now new chairperson will not be elected every year as it was by default. No benefits from these changes to club finances or anything else.

Assistant Manager

Ok, I need new assistant in future.

Coaches

  

I would love to hire better specialists but could we find them?

Medical Team

 

Same as above

Recruitment Team

We have only one person who is responsible for scouting but he is surprisingly good.

Reserve and U18 Staff

We have a guy from South Africa (but he grew up in NIR) and nothing more interesting.

 

To summarize I didn`t expect anything better but step-by-step we will strengthen our staff with focus on local specialists.

[Vladis]

Meet The Squad

Key players

David McDaid - Absolutely number one in the squad. In last 5 seasons in Larne scored almost 70 goals and it`s only in the league. Competent at playing on the wings of attack where I plan to use him as we have another good forward.

David Parkhouse - those another good forward. Good team player, comfortable in the air and at the same time very quick. Sheffield Utd academy graduate.

Conor Keely - our best defender. Strong, king of the air battles.

Top prospects

Josh Kelly - not so young but assistant believes he has plenty of potential still. Crusaders home-grown.

Jake Corbett - very determined young player who could play in the center of the midfield and on the flank in defence.

 

All the squad by lines

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Attacking line

So you see that our attacking line is a dangerous weapon. Also we have a decent goalkeepers. But in defense and midfield we lack quality.

 

Formation and tactical style

 

I decided to go from standard 442 hoofball style and try to play some modern football with beginning attacks in short passing manner and trying to heat opponent on counter-attacks and after mistakes. 4-3-3 really suits our squad those it`s unclear at the first glance. We could use all our best players with some of them learning  new positions in which though they are competent. McDaid has all skills for inside forward and Gibson who is also naturally forward could be effective in position of central midfielder. As a back-up options I keep in mind 4-4-2 and 5-3-2 formations but still believe in primary variant.

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | PREVIEW

Not so many things you could do in training with semi-pro squad but most important moment - no injures. On this level it`s very important.

We made one addition to the staff and renewed 3 contracts with our first team players.

Sammy Clingan - new Assistant Manager for U18 team. Better then anyone from the staff in the whole club. Could be promoted to senior team if I couldn`t find any candidate better.

Josh Kelly, Mikey Place and Ross Redman signed new contracts. Josh and Ross - until 2024, Ross - until December 2023.

 

Friendly matches

I`m satisfied with what I`ve seen in these matches. Our defensive play sometimes was a nightmare but in other aspects I saw a lot good things. leaders showed that they are leaders, some players pleasantly surprised me, like McElroy on the right wing and Kane as poacher.

 

Competitions preview

Board wants us to finish in mid-table. But with Premiership splitting in two groups after 33 games the main question is where we will be - in championship or relegation group.

Bookmakers are not really optimistic, but reality looks like this I guess - we are not outsiders but there are teams with more solid players and experience.

I should also mention about main derby for our club. It`s so called A26 Derby against Coleraine.

Edited January 11, 2023 by Vladis

[deez0r]

Live 20mins from the stadium. Its definitely one of the nicer stadiums and pitches (played on it a few times). They also have done up around the stadium very well and it is utilised by local youth teams such as Clough Rangers.

The man you took over from, Davy Jeffrey is one of the most successful managers of all time in NI football (although mainly with Linfield). 

Good luck, I will follow!

[Vladis]

1 minute ago, deez0r said:

Live 20mins from the stadium. Its definitely one of the nicer stadiums and pitches (played on it a few times). They also have done up around the stadium very well and it is utilised by local youth teams such as Clough Rangers.

The man you took over from, Davy Jeffrey is one of the most successful managers of all time in NI football (although mainly with Linfield). 

Good luck, I will follow!

Thanks, mate! It adds extra immersion for me when I read posts like yours. Yeah, I read a lot about the club in Wiki and other sources. I also know that Steven Davis was born in Ballymena, interesting story too even though he never played in his homeland. And Nigel Worthington should also be mentioned. 

[deez0r]

1 hour ago, Vladis said:

Thanks, mate! It adds extra immersion for me when I read posts like yours. Yeah, I read a lot about the club in Wiki and other sources. I also know that Steven Davis was born in Ballymena, interesting story too even though he never played in his homeland. And Nigel Worthington should also be mentioned. 

Yeah Steven Davis is one of the most celebrated up there! Where I live now (Larne) sold probably their best striker to Ballymena in the summer in David McDaid who seems to have done well in pre-season for you. 

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | AUGUST

Start of the season was a nightmare. We lost to the main underdog in opening match and then lost in Derby. The starting point for the turnaround became a comeback from 0-2 in a cup game against Crusaders. David Parkhouse started to play like a Haaland and scored 7 (!) in 3 matches including poker in the goal of Glenavon. I would love to find some stability in our overall play but with our weak defenders it should be tough task. I found that low-block football more suits us even though we don`t have enough intelligent players for positioning defense.

[Vladis]

8 hours ago, deez0r said:

Yeah Steven Davis is one of the most celebrated up there! Where I live now (Larne) sold probably their best striker to Ballymena in the summer in David McDaid who seems to have done well in pre-season for you. 

McDaid is doing ok but he clearly should be more effective upfront as a central forward. But our formation and Parkhouse don`t allow him to play there for now.

Edited January 11, 2023 by Vladis

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | SEPTEMBER

Sensational strong-willed win over Glentoran followed by two defeats against Larne and Crusaders. But I still can by satisfied with how we play even against stronger opponents. In County Antrim Shield we are going further beating 2nd tier side Ards.

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | OCTOBER

What a month! 

1. We have reached the semi-finals of Irish League Cup and Antrim Shield. In a league cup it was really memorable quater-final. 6 goals, Parkhouse saved us on 90+ minute, and then endless penalty shootout with winning goal from...our keeper O`Neill!

2. 5 wins in a league with two of them against leaders Linfield and Glentoran. Match with Linfield was a art of counter-attacking football with fully deserved victory. 

3. Poor Carrick. Our neighbors firstly were defeated in Antrim Shield Cup and 4 days later got 0-3 at Ballymena Showgrounds.

4. Parkhouse. Someone, stop this machine 

Quite logically.

Edited January 13, 2023 by Vladis

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | NOVEMBER

Matches with Larne in this season are very entertaining. In Antrim Shield we we close again to penalty shootout but we find a "joker" in the squad. Kelly went on the field in second extra time and made the difference. In the League Cup SF it was the worst game from our side for at least last two months and Cliftonville deservedly goes into the final. 

I`m only 5 month in the club and we already update league records. Nice.

 

 

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | DECEMBER

6 wins in 7 games in December. But I can tell you that points don`t come easy to us. We are trying to play in cautious manner and heat opponent on counter attacks. Sometimes it works, sometimes we need to switch on plan b. But anyway I`m happy with how high we are in the table after 2/3 of regular season. McDaid is finally starting to show he knows where the net and how balls end up there.

 

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | JANUARY

Transfer window

Busy window. We didn`t plan too many deals but in fact got more players than expected.

Out

Loans and one young keeper going on free to non league amateur side. Kane and Tweed are the strongest among went on loan. But after some signing we have too many players on their positions.

In

Welcome to the club:

Ross Larkin - My fail that I didn`t see he is out of the football due medical reason until the end of the season. But on the bright side he will strengthen our defense next season as we agreed future transfer on free.

Nathan Kerr - 10k is money for us but right fullback was main target for this window and there were not so many options at the market. Decent defender who should give more stability to our defense.

Daryl Fordyce - Found on free very experienced midfielder who last 10 years spent in North America playing for Edmonton FC mostly. I believe he could make some impact on more younger team mates in dressing room as he has good leadership skills.

Aidan Steele - decent midfielder who could give some depth in midfield. 

Mayowa Animasahun - another loan deal. But this player is expected to be regular starter in central defense in pair with Keely

Harry Norton - signed on free after the end of contract with Glenavon. Very young but promising player with good versatility. I hope that he could progress even with our poor facilities.

Navid Nasseri - deadline deal. He is declared for Iran team but was born in Stockport. Last seasons was on a good level at Glentoran, Linfield and Larne but this summer left without club for reasons I don`t know. He agreed pretty small wage and shouldn`t expect many playing time but good option for depth.

 

Hard month. We had another penalty drama in Antrim Shield Final where McDaid missed 5th shoot that should bring us victory and then we lost. But even despite this fail David is in perfect form. In last five games he scored 8 goals including fantastic hat-trick in match with Portadown where we we close to unexpected defeat. Main thing is that we have guaranteed Championship Group spot and this is already achievement.

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by Vladis

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | FEBRUARY

Despite the fact we still can`t find keys to beat Coleraine it was another very good month. We are going further in Irish Cup where will meet Glentoran.

 

Good news came from chairperson cabinet. 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Vladis

[DavidBeckham]

Nice avatar and congrats on the new contract! KUTGW mate!

[Vladis]

2 hours ago, DavidBeckham said:

Nice avatar and congrats on the new contract! KUTGW mate!

Thanks mate 

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | MARCH

Only two matches and boths against Glentoran. Firstly we were defeated in Cup and then tough draw in the league. Not the best performance from our side but Glentoran is strong opponent.

 

Youth Intake 2023

Some good talents joined youth team.

Ryan McQuitty - what a guy! Low determination but with our facilities development is harder in any case. 

Chandler Smart - really good skills for his age. Unambitious but anyway could grow into first team member.

Paul Horner - Best from this intake, as for me. Good personality, no real weaknesses in skills, brave and excellent in the air.

Eoghan Trainor, Jordan Knowles, Daniel Graham, Sainey Camara are the other ones who should be mentioned too.

---

Our January signing Harry Norton debuted in U19 NIR team in match with France. 

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | APRIL

What a finish! Real drama. Only better goal difference made Coleraine champions. But I can`t complain. We were sensational this season. Its only the third time in last 20 years we finish so high in the league. And next season we will see European football at Ballymena Showgrounds.

 

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2022 - 2023 | REVIEW

Competitions

"Overachievement" is the key word in season summary. No one expected from us 2nd place, even there were little odds that we can enter Championship group. But we showed to all sceptics that they were wrong. Good job!

Team performance

All the stats and metrics say that we are deservedly among the best teams in the league. With really average squad, which is more important.

Player stats

Parkhouse and McDaid were our main striking force with 44 goals together. Keely and Animasahun were the best in defense and Williamson showed stability in the goal.

[Vladis]

And we are back! With a short summary of current NIR standing in the game.

 

   National Team

Manager - Guus Hiddink (2022 - )

World Ranking - 62 (same points as El Salvador )

Competitions

UEFA Nations League - finished (winner - France)

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualification - in progress

 

   Club Football in Europe

Nation Club Coefficients - 44th (lower than Luxembourg and Kosovo)

NIR teams in UEFA competitions:

Linfield

Champions League 1st QR - lost to Dinamo Batumi

Europa Conference League 2nd QR - lost to Lech Poznan

Cliftonville

Europa Conference League 2nd QR - lost to Dinamo Tbilisi

Crusaders

Europa Conference League 2nd QR - lost to Cukaricki

Larne

Europa Conference League 1st QR - lost to F.C. Santa Coloma

[Vladis]

 SEASON 2023 - 2024 | PREVIEW

 

Well, pre-season is over. Our task for this summer was very easy - we just tried to become better as a club and as a team. With almost no money it`s not so easy though. 

Staff changes

- 13 staff member released from the club. 13 - signed. Now we have a group of fairly young and determined specialists and all of them are from NIR. Sammy Clingan promoted from U18 team and now he is my assistant.

Player Recruitment

We have released 25 players after the end of contract. Almost all of them - deadwood from U21 team. 8 players were sent on loan including Norton, Nasseri, Graham and Kane who had appearances last season in senior squad. 

As for new arrivals - we strengthened our defensive line with two good Scottish players Jake Davidson and Matty Allan, signed two very promisng players from Glenavon - Isaac Baird, who is already one of the best defencive-minded midfielders in the team, and Joel Logan - 16 y.o. winger who will join our U18 team. Another two newbies - Gideon Kodua - pacey winger who joined on free from West Ham and Ciaran O`Connor - one of the leaders of relegated Newry City.

Squad Overview

We still can`t find new club for Sam Johnstone and Caolan Loughran. I would keep them in the squad, but registration rules are really tough with its limit on mature players.

Friendly matches

Board Expectations and Bookmakers Odds

Edited February 4, 2023 by Vladis