‘Archie’ delighted to be staying at boyhood club

The 23-year-old defender will put pen to paper this week on a new two-year deal at the Showgrounds.

Stewart joined the club’s Youth Academy at a time when his father Alfie was bringing his own glittering career to a close with a spell at Ballymena and Archie’s progression through to the first team – where he is already closing in on 200 senior appearances – has been a source of delight throughout both the senior club and its youth wing.

‘Archie’s career reached its highest point to date when he captained the side which ended United’s 23-year wait for a trophy in the Shield final, where his own performance earned him the man-of-the-match accolade.

“I’m glad to get the contract sorted,” Aaron told Times Sport.

“Glenn offered me the deal a couple of months ago and I was happy with it straight away.

“I went home and talked about it and thought it over but there was never really any question of not signing it.

“With being out injured for a while, I’ve only come to my decision now but I never really thought about leaving to be honest.

“Ballymena has been a big part of my life. I’ve played for the club since I was 11, so I don’t know anything different – it’s just my club.

“I always wanted to win a trophy with Ballymena and we’ve done that this season so hopefully there’s more to come.”

The low point in Stewart’s season came at the turn of the year when he pulled a hamstring during a game against Lisburn Distillery – his now United team-mate Gary Liggett scored for the Whites in the same incident – which ruled him out for the best part of two months.

“Initially I thought I would only be out for three or four weeks but there was a match where we were a bit short of centre-halves and they were trying to push me to come back but it just came a bit too soon and it came to a point where I had to say ‘let’s just take it easy and play it safe’.

“It’s one of those injuries where you have to be 100 per cent or else you risk making it worse.”

Now happily fully recovered, Aaron has been restored to the starting line-up, playing the last two games at left-back in a re-jigged defensive structure which has seen United keep clean sheets in each of those games.

“It’s been good to be back for the last few games, even though we haven’t won any of them.

“Centre-half is my favourite position but I would say probably close to half of my appearances for Ballymena have come at left-back so it’s a position I’m familiar with and comfortable with.

“I have no problem playing there, as long as I’m in the team!

“The system we play gives the back four a bit more protection and security.

“Obviously if we could add goals to that at the other end, that would make it ideal – our draw at Portadown on Saturday was probably a fair result.

“We’ve created a few chances in recent games and I think it’s a system we can move forward with,” added ‘Archie’.