Farewell!

A farewell message from outgoing manager Whitey Anderson;

Ballinamallard United will now compete in their 5th season in the Danske Premiership after what has been an incredible season for everyone involved.

The last 7 weeks have been horrendous for the club, brought about by the incompetence and negligence of others. I would however like to finally close this chapter and concentrate on the positives for this football club.

I stood down some weeks ago in the midst of chaos, and the leadership shown by Chairman Jeff Aiken and his office bearers has to be recognised in steering the club through a very difficult period. They had to hold a selection process for a new manager whilst this season 15/16 was still ongoing and at the same time fight our own clubs position. At that time they all should have been concentrating on putting in place plans for the forthcoming season and getting a well earned break!

My backroom team including John Quinn and others too many to name, were also being denied the opportunity to enjoy the seasons end. John has been involved in this club as long as I have been and the relief on his face on Wednesday night was as genuine as mine. The supporters have also endured great anguish throughout this period and that was shown clearly on Wednesday night at the game and to see the relief and joy in their faces brings it home to me once again how much it means to these people.

The players however have been the ones that really suffered and they in the end got this club over the line. It was an extremely difficult period for them and their families and they kept going to the end and got the result we all craved for. An albeit dramatic late goal ensured our Premiership status against a very good, young and energetic Insititute side who reminded me of our side some years ago. We went into the game without 6 players which included 5 who would have started and had an extremely young bench which then played its part. Some of the youngsters can give this club heart as we move forward.

To the Mallard Ultras who have no fb page at present, thanks again for your support over the years and on Wednesday night at such late notice. Please remember the great four years which included 3 victories over Linfield at Windsor Park and wins over the likes of Cliftonville and Glentroran in their own back yards. The first season in the Premier League, the Setanta cup and the League cup games at Ferney Park the season before last are all great memories. Be ambitious but realistic!

A general thanks to all who sent messages by social media, text and other means. I appreciate every one and now I am getting the chance to acknowledge you all. Now it is time for a new era and everyone needs to get behind Gavin Dykes, Steve Feeney and Andy Crawford for the coming season. All good genuine footballing people and having worked with them all I know the future is bright.

See you in the stands next season.