Wakehurst FC ground situation ‘a wrong that must be righted’ - MLA

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has been one of the Ballymena club’s most influential backers in its bid to end its three years of playing outside the borough due to a lack of a suitable intermediate-standard ground, using the club’s annual dinner on Friday night to describe the situation as “a wrong that must be righted”.

“To finish eighth in the third highest league in the country is remarkable and it is something you should be very proud of,” Mr Frew told guests.

“You must have belief that you can go further and that you will return to your rightful home of Ballymena. I have no doubt that you will return home, the only doubt in my head is when – that is the big issue.”

Mr Frew said that existing contractual issues with other organisations prevented him from discussing the situation publicly, but encouraged the club to be patient as it seeks its long-term goal.

“There are so many outside influences and third parties that factor into your destiny – all of the conditions have to be met at the right time.

“You need to make sure the soul of the club is there and the spirit of the club is there – it’s a bout keeping this club together and the day you get back to Ballymena to play home games will be a day of great celebration,” added Mr Frew.

Club chairman Billy Erwin said the manner in which the club continued to thrive despite the very obvious disadvantage of playing outside its own town, was admired by its Championship opponents on a weekly basis.

“Other clubs are amazed at how we not only survive in this league but also compete.

“What we have done so far is brilliant, but what could we not do if we were back in among our own people?

“We are very proactive and we are going to drive this club on further than you might think, and we are going to make this club better,” added Billy, who thanked everyone whose work behind the scenes assists the club’s smooth running over the course of the year.

Reflecting on the playing side of the season, manager Ian Gregg said that, placed in the perspective of lack of resources compared with other clubs in the division, eight position in Championship Two represented a satisfactory campaign.

“We don’t believe enough, it’s maybe a Ballymena ting. It’s maybe in our genes that we have a bit of an inferiority complex.

“As far as football goes, we had nothing to fear in this particular division, but we didn’t apply ourselves regularly enough.

“Our players are not mercenaries. They don’t get paid and they represent the town every week. They are a credit not only to the club but to the town as well – their commitment is second to none,” added Ian, who thanked his coaching staff for their hard work and who paid particular tribute to long-serving defender Roy Colville, who plans to scale down his appearances next season.

As well as the Wakehurst prizes, the club’s affiliate sides Wakehurst Star (Saturday Morning League) and Wakehurst Strollers (Ballymena & Provincial Junior League) also received awards, with the winners as follows:

WAKEHURST STAR

Leading Goalscorer – Philip Anderson; Player of Year – Matthew Logan; Players’ Player of Year – Philip Anderson; Young Player of Year – Ryan Armstrong; Most Improved Player – Peter McKee.

WAKEHURST STROLLERS

Leading Goalscorer – Darren Rodgers; Player of Year – Ian McCracken; Players’ Player of Year – Stuart McKinney; Young Player of Year – Samuel Cupples; Most Improved Player – Peter Thompson; Clubman of Year – Thompson Dickey; Merit Award – Johnny Greer.

WAKEHURST

Leading Goalscorer – Conor Gregg; Player of Year – Roy Colville; Players’ Player of Year – Conor Gregg.