Heroes of 1989 ready to hand over the mantle to current United squad

United’s 1989 Irish Cup-winning team was celebrated at a special 25th anniversary function - supported by Power NI - in the Des Allen Suite on Saturday night.

And amidst an evening of great nostalgia, there was a strong message sent out by the ‘class of 89’ that the time has come for the current crop to take over the mantle.

A sold-out audience enjoyed hearing the stories of that 1989 triumph, from goalkeeper Damian Grant’s heroics in the semi-final against Linfield to Paul Hardy’s famous back-heeled winner in the final against Larne.

Grant was among those to offer his support to the current panel ahead of Saturday’s clash against Glenavon, stating: “From the first round of the competition this year there has been an aura about the club.

“I just feel this is the year Ballymena can go on and do it and I overwhelmingly hope they go out next week and do it - it’s long overdue.”

Defender John Garrett passed on his best wishes for the current squad, recounting a memory from the 1989 cup run.

“When we beat Linfield in the semi-final, the dressing room was going absolutely mad but I was sitting quietly when David Campbell, the then Linfield chairman came in and asked me ‘are you not celebrating?’.

“I said no because we hadn’t won anything yet, we still had the final against Larne to come - I think that is the sort of mentality that Glenn Ferguson and his staff are instilling in the current squad.”

Goal hero Paul Hardy added: “Ballymena should have been in the final loads and loads of times before now but I believe we can go on and win it and win it in style.”

There was a special ovation for Alex McKee, the manager who led his hometown club to that famous 1989 success, with Hardy stating: “When he asked me to come to Ballymena, I had no hesitation.

“He could motivate you but most of all, he was a nice guy and a gentleman who knew how to get the best out of you.”

In echoes of the current run, McKee recalled: “Our run nearly didn’t get off the ground at all - we needed a late equaliser to get a draw at Ballyclare.

“Then in the replay we were leading 5-0 when the snow came on and the match was abandoned and we had to play it again!

“We won that and also beat Distillery and Crusaders but the two games against Linfield in the semi-final were the cup finals, really.”

Amid the celebrations and laughter there was also sadness, as Alex recalled some of the people associated with the club in that 1989 triumph who have since passed away, including Willie Cully, Billy McCready, Gordon McIlrath, Josh Arbuthnot, George Elliott and Shea Hamill.

Alex recalled the story of how he surprised trainer Billy McCready by asking him to lead the team onto the pitch on the day of the final.

“We were all dressed in our suits and Billy, as usual, was in his tracksuit and I said I wanted everybody in their suit.

“Billy gurned and moaned a bit but put on his suit and just then the referee came in and said it was time to go onto the pitch.

“Just as we were going out, I said to Billy ‘you are at the front’. I looked over and he was standing crying like a wean, he was so much overcome with emotion.

“I remember coming back through the town in the open-top bus, coming through Harryville which was a real hotbed of Ballymena United supporters.

“The cup has a great magic effect on Ballymena people - they might not come to all the matches but you always get a good turnout in the Irish Cup.

“I can see that even from the number of people who have spoken to me in recent weeks - even people who aren’t that interested in football - the level of interest there is.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on Glenn...but you have to win that cup!” added Alex, to loud laughter from the audience.