League set to benefit from arrival of more new teams next season

That was the view expressed by Ballymena and Provincial League officials as the league held its annual dinner and awards night in the Michelin Athletic Club.

The league, which began its life as the Ballymena and District Junior League in 1948, has completed its 68th season in existence, the last 26 of which has seen the league play under intermediate status, as well as having three other junior divisions.

The flagship intermediate division is set to be enhanced further in 2016-17 with the arrival of three teams who were relegated from NIFL Championship Two as part of a shake-up in its structure.

Coagh United, Glebe Rangers and Ballymena-based Wakehurst will go head-to-head with an already strong line-up in the battle for league honours.

League chairman Ian Shiels told guests at the dinner: “Those new clubs are very welcome but other clubs will look at them and say ‘we can take anyone on’.”

Vice-chairman Robert Fenton added: “It will make us one of the strongest intermediate leagues outside the Premier Intermediate League and that is to be welcomed.”

Mr Fenton, who was elected to the post of President of the County Antrim Football Association last week, paid tribute to long-serving secretary Billy McIlroy, who remains the driving force behind the league and is recognised as one of the leading football administrators in Northern Ireland.

“This league is progressing and developing under Billy’s direction - we are seeing an increase in teams at intermediate and junior level.”

Also among the guests was newly-elected Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Audrey Wales, who said: “Mid and East Antrim has a strong sporting heritage and the Ballymena and Provincial League has played a significant part in the borough since 1948.

“The league has seen tremendous growth over the years, from 12 clubs to 48, playing at junior and intermediate level.

“I would like to thank those dedicated volunteers who have been involved in making this league and this evening a great success and who spend countless hours through the year, promoting football across the borough,” the Mayor added.

Secretary Billy McIlroy added to that theme of volunteering when he urged players and officials of clubs to consider getting involved in the increasingly busy administrative operation carried out by a few individuals within the league.

“Now is the time to take up the cudgels and say ‘I would be interested in doing that’.

“Don’t sit back, give me a shout and you will be welcomed with open arms.

“Where would football be without the grassroots people who are always there carrying out the chores like washing the kit, marking pitches and fund-raising?

“They are certainly worth their weight in gold and to each and every one of them I would say a very big thank you as without them, football could very well die,” added Billy.

On the pitch, the intermediate division was dominated by Limavady-based Newtowne FC, who claimed three of the pieces of silverware up for grabs.