BALLYMENA United's players reported back for pre-season training on Tuesday night and were certainly put through their paces as they prepare for the new IFA Premiership season.

With manager Roy Walker currently in the United States, his assistant Jim Grattan was in charge of the large panel of players who were put through an extensive workout with coaches Billy Sinclair, Alfie Stewart and Nigel Hanna.

The four new faces at the Showgrounds got to meet their new team-mates properly for the first time together; they are goalkeeper Alan Blayney, Gavin McDonnell, Joe McDonnell and Neil Teggart.

Club captain, Albert Watson, sat out the first training session with an ankle complaint – as the majority of the first-team returned to training accompanied by members of last season’s Reserve and Youth teams.

Of the few notable absentees; last season's top goalscorer Kevin Kelbie will continue his pre-season build-up in his native Stirling, whilst transfer-listed Simon Kelly is set to return to his former club, Dundalk.

The Braidmen's pre-season campaign kicks off on 15th July with a trip to face Chimney Corner, in what will be Roy Walker's first outing as United manager.

* Reserve team winger, Gary Baird, who made two first team appearances last season has joined Premier Intermediate League side Coagh United.

The 22-year-old Ballykeel man, spent 10 years at the club working his way up the youth ranks and was a key member of the 2007 Reserve League Championship winning side.

In related Reserve team news, William Grattan, son of assistant manager Jim, has returned to the club for a second spell after spending the last two seasons at Carrick Rangers.