Wakehurst upbeat on possible return to Ballymena

The NIFL Championship Two club has played home games at Castledawson for the past five years due to the lack of an available intermediate standard ground in the town.

Previously, the club had played at the second pitch at Ballymena Showgrounds but were forced to look elsewhere after new criteria regarding grounds, including provision of seating, were introduced by the authorities a number of seasons ago.

A number of attempts to secure a suitable venue within the borough have stalled in that time but Wakehurst officials are confident that they are edging closer to their goal.

The club remains tight-lipped on its plans but Times Sport understands that a potential location has been identified and Wakehurst are currently in discussions with various stakeholders in relation to the project, which would be used by the local community.

Speaking at the club’s annual dinner at the weekend, club captain and committee member Douglas Stevenson said the club’s attempts to return to Ballymena look “increasingly promising.”

Wakehurst manager Ian Gregg added: “We need a base in Ballymena for various reasons - not least to make ourselves a more attractive proposition to players from the town.”