THE RETURN of the ever popular Ballymena United corporate dinners will be taking place for the first time this season before the league game against Coleraine.

Held in the fantastic Des Allen suite within the Ballymena Showgrounds; the first dinner of the season is to be sponsored by Northstone Quarries.

Guest speaker ahead at the event on the 17th October will be David McClarty MLA and he will be joined by Ballymena Borough Council representitives Neill Armstrong and William McNeilly.

In keeping with previous dinners, the club have invited two past players back to the club - on this occasion we welcome back two familiar faces in the Sloan brothers; John and Tom.

The Harryville born siblings are both remembered fondly at Warden Street; John spent well over a decade at the club during our most successful period winning the Irish Cup in both 1981 and 1984.

Tom, the younger brother, started his career at the Showgrounds before moving to Manchester United in 1978 for £25,000 and also won three caps for Northern Ireland the following year.

With 27 tables already booked for the lunch, the club are offering an additional table for any individuals wanting to attend the event. The cost will be £35 per person, which will include entry to the 'derby' clash with Coleraine afterwards.