Junior Sky Blues supporters enjoy Christmas party

David Cushley was guest of honour and was on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the members. He even got caught up in a paper snowball fight - strictly against doctor’s orders of course! Smyth’s Toys donated a Junior Goal Set for the Christmas prize draw which was won by Katie Shaw while Raul Puni was the lucky winner of a football.

All members and parents were treated to a hot buffet lunch in the boardroom before the arrival of Santa! Santa delivered a Ballymena United scarf to every member along with a selection box each. These were very kindly sponsored by Sainsbury’s yet again this year. All the Junior Sky Blues need now is for Santa to bring them a big win against Coleraine in the Boxing Day Derby!

The club will meet again in the new year on Saturday 14th February at 2pm before Ballymena United’s home match against Institute.

If you have a child or grandchild under the age of 12 the ‘Junior Sky Blues’ Supporters Club is a great way to make them feel part of the Football Club.

The club meets before selected home matches where the children get the opportunity to meet the players and management team and take part in games and prize draws.

Throughout the season they will complete a specially designed scrapbook on the club which brings together information on the players, news articles which the children will be encouraged to collect during the year, and of course for collecting autographs! Last year during the final meeting, manager Glenn Ferguson and the whole team came along to sign completed scrapbooks!

Chairman John Taggart is full of praise for the work carried out by Junior Sky Blues on behalf of the football club.

He says: “The Board at Ballymena United wholeheartedly support this initiative.

“We are committed to making the football club welcoming to the whole family and the Junior Sky Blues gives children the opportunity to get more out of supporting their local team.”

“We encourage all parents and children to get involved,” said Junior Sky Blues organiser Ashley Shaw.

“We’ve got a great enthusiastic team involved and I’m positive that excitement will rub off on the children,”

“We have a commitment to support all our fans, whatever their age - these young people will be the future supporters of the football club.

“Junior Sky Blues is open to both girls and boys under 12, and we’re delighted that a number of girls have already signed up this season.”