Dedicated to remembering the history of Ballyclare Comrades Football Club. Formed in 1919 by local men who had returned home from the First World War.
Joined July 2021
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Our first ever goalkeeper,
Henry (Harry) Simms, was a rifleman in 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles during the First World War.
Born in Newtownards, he lived in Doagh and enlisted in Belfast.
Harry's nephew Samuel was killed at the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
15 year old debutant Paul Lavery being congratulated by Comrades club captain Mervyn Smylie after this game.
On this day in 1979, we beat Ulster Polytechnic 4-1 at Dixon Park in the B Division.
Brian Todd and Paul Fenning scored two goals each in this game.
15 year old Paul Lavery came off the bench to become Comrades youngest ever player.
On 8th November 1986, we beat Ballymena United Reserves 3-2 at Dixon Park in the quarter-finals of the Steel & Sons Cup.
Our goals came from Dennis Rodgers,
Jimmy Young and a penalty scored by Alan Addley.
Sammy Davidson, a half-back in our club's first ever match, was a rifleman/drummer in 'C' Company, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles during the First World War.
He was born and lived in Ballyeaston and enlisted in Ballyclare.
On this day in 1957, we beat
Ballymena United Reserves 6-1 at Dixon Park in the fourth round of the Intermediate Cup.
Harry Baxter and Harry Bell scored two goals each in this game, with our other goals scored by Billy Steele and a Jimmy McCurdy penalty.
One of our three founder members, Arthur McGuigan, was a Lance Corporal in 'C' Company, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles during the First World War and was wounded in action.
He lived on the Green Road and enlisted in Ballyclare Town Hall in September 1914 at the age of 20.
On this Remembrance Sunday, we will be remembering all the brave men who fought in the First World War, especially men from 'C' Company, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, whom most of the local men who helped form our football club after they returned home served with.
On this day in 1950, we beat Brantwood 3-0 at Dixon Park in the Clements Lyttle Cup second round second replay.
Victor Orr scored two of our goals, one in each half, with Johnny Watterson scoring our third goal.
One of our three founder members,
Robert (Bob) Grange, was a sergeant in the 36th Signalling Company of the Royal Engineers during the First World War.
Bob, who lived on the Green Road in Ballyclare, enlisted in Belfast at the age of 19.
On this day in 1959, we beat
Distillery Seconds 5-0 at Dixon Park in the B Division.
Raymond White scored a hat-trick in this game with three headed goals and he also assisted Jimmy Aston to open the scoring. Freddie Ellison also got on our scoresheet.
Sammy Murray, one of our three founder members, was a full-back in our club's first match.
Sammy, who was born, lived and enlisted in Ballyclare, was a Lance Corporal in 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and was wounded in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
On this day in 2010, we drew 1-1 away at Banbridge Town in Championship 1.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time, we equalised through set piece expert Andrew Simms scoring a free kick from outside the box three minutes into the second half.
Robert (Rocky) McKeown, a forward in our club's first match, was a rifleman in 'C' Company, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles during the First World War.
Born in Ballyclare, he lived along the Doagh Road and enlisted in his hometown.
Bob can be seen near left in this picture.
Despite being at Preston North End since 1948, Dennis only became a regular in their first team when he returned in 1953.
Dennis would stay at Preston until 1960, making a total of 115 appearances, scoring 54 goals.
Dennis scored on his debut,
a 30 yard drive in a 3-0 win over
Queens Island Woodworkers in the 1st round of the Intermediate Cup
He scored a late equaliser in the Maxwell Cup final against Brantwood. Dennis had returned to Preston by time replay was played the following season
Dennis Hatsell of Preston North End, played for us during the 1952/53 season, while doing his national service for the RAF at Ballykelly.
Dennis is pictured below with fellow Preston players Les Dagger and Alan Kelly, inspecting the Deepdale pitch during the 1959/60 season.
John McKinstry, a forward in our club's first ever match, was a Corporal in the 36th Signalling Company of the Royal Engineers during the First World War.
Born and lived in Ballyclare, John enlisted in Belfast.
