United boss aims to complete signings after Dublin tournament success

BALLYMENA United boss Glenn Ferguson hopes to complete the signings of Gary Thompson and David Cushley this week.

The pair have been long-time targets of the United boss but their potential arrivals have been delayed due to a protracted situation regarding development fees owed to their former club Lisburn Distillery.

Both players have played a full part in United’s pre-season preparations and were part of the squad which won the St James’ Gate tournament in Dublin at the weekend.

Cushley hit a spectacular goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Welsh side Port Talbot Town, a game which United went on to win 5-3 on penalties.

In the final, United faced the hosts and recorded a 2-0 win with goals from Jordan Baker and an Alan Teggart penalty.

“It was good to get a couple more games under our belts and also good for the players to spend some time together,” Ferguson told Times Sport.

“I’ve been delighted with the attitude the players have shown, not only in pre-season but also before it began.

“We had set the players fitness targets for reporting back to pre-season and they all came back in great shape and have carried that on into pre-season,” added Ferguson, who has been running the rule over trialists Michael Smith - who was in Roy Walker’s first team last season before leaving to join Amateur League Newington - and Gareth McConaghie, who previously had a spell in United’s first team as a teenager under Tommy Wright.

United continue their pre-season preparations when they travel to Co Down to face Ballywalter on Saturday (3pm).