Maurice's efforts for club are praised

COUNCILLOR Maurice Mills' fund-raising efforts for Ballymena United were hailed at Saturday's final corporate dinner of the season.

Maurice recently organised an Ulster Scots Gietherin' in Cullybackey High School and it was announced on Saturday that the venture had raised a stunning 5,831.

The news was warmly greeted by a record attendance in the five year history of the lunches.

Master of Ceremonies Edwin McLaughlin said: “We have 32 tables which is a marvellous turnout in these times.”

Maurice himself has thanked everyone who supported the venture and was delighted with the response.

Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor James Currie, reflecting on the ongoing work taking place at the Showgrounds, said the partnership between Ballymena Borough Council and Ballymena United had yielded more than 1 million in grant funding for the Warden Street venue over a number of years.

Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson praised the number of businesses who had supported the function, saying: “It is a great thing to do to support your local football club.”

The following businesses and individuals were thanked for taking tables: McBurney Transport; Gordon McIlrath Solicitors; Principal Cooling; Microcoms; Seven Towers SC; Paramount BUSC; Ballymena Spurs Supporters' Club; Ballymena United Youth Academy; Engineering Distributors; Northern Switchgear; Dunlop & Hamilton; Imperial Bar; WS Mercers; Harry Millar and friends; Blair International; Country Garage; Stardust Amusements; GM Landscapes; Dennison Commercials Ltd; Broughshane Liverpool SC; CEF; Waveney Youth; NFU Mutual Agents; McCurdy Transport; William Hamill & Sons; Electrical Equipment; Telstar; RGM Financial Services; Cloughmills NISC; James Tolland and Co; Dave Harris and friends; Ian McKeown and friends; Sperrin Switchgear; Bank of Ireland.