Ticket or leave it for discount offer!

The club has offered the incentive to encourage its most loyal supporters to purchase their season ticket early.

Matchday admission prices will rise by 1 next season, making a season ticket better value than ever, and generous discounts of between 20 and 54 per cent are available to fans who buy their tickets before the deadline of July 1.

For the first time, season tickets have also been available online through the club website - www.ballymenaunitedfc.com - and company secretary Neil Coleman reports that the uptake has been brisk.

"The most encouraging thing is that a number of those that have bought online are people who have never bought a season ticket before, so we've opened up a whole new market," added Neil.

Season tickets in this initiative will only be available for purchase on production of a completed application form which supporters can download online or obtain from Stirling Trophies, Queen Street.

CARNINY LINK

Meanwhile United has announced 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.

Chairman Robert Cupples said: "For some time now Ballymena United Football Club has recognised the potential of having local Youth Academys 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 and 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."

CLUB AGM

Ballymena United FC Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday, June, 23 at the Ballymena United Social Club at 8pm. The club would request that all shareholders attend this event.

NEW ASSISTANT MANAGER

United assistant manager Jim Grattan has stepped down from his post after five years.

Grattan initially joined as assistant to Tommy Wright in 2005 and was promoted to manager following Tommy Wright's resignation in 2008 but he had to turn the post down due to his IFA commitments.

"I would like to thank Jim for all his efforts for all his efforts during my time at the club, and I hope we can still be able to work with Jim in some capacity," said manager Roy Walker, who has moved swiftly to appoint Wesley Gregg as Grattan's replacement.

Gregg previously worked as assistant to his cousin John Gregg at Institute and he has strong links to Ballymena through his work as an IFA Grassroots Development Officer locally.

"I've been working closely with Wesley throughout my UEFA Pro Licence course and he's impressed me with his organisation and new ideas," said Walker.

OPEN DAY

Preparations are ongoing for the club's popular annual open day, which will be held on Saturday, July 24.

There will be fun for all the family with bouncy castles, giant slides, tombola, barbecue, DJ and an opportunity to meet the players and obtain autographs. It is also hoped that the new home kit will on sale on that date.

Admission is free and the event runs from 12 noon until 3pm when United will take on the Northern Ireland Junior International side in a friendly.