Name: Gary Baird Position: Midfielder Born: Ballymena Date of Birth: United Debut: 22nd September 2007 away v. Glenavon - won 2-1 United Stats: 2 appearances, 0 goal Career: 2003 - Ballymena United Twenty-one year old Gary Baird finally fulfilled an ambition of playing for his hometown team, when he came on as a substitute in the win over Glenavon in September, 2007. Nicknamed 'Budgie' the diminutive winger has worked his way through the ranks at the Showgrounds starting out at Cullybackey Blues before progressing to the Thirds and Reserves. He was a key player in the Reserve League winning side last year, and his only previous experience in the first-team had been in a late sub appearance in a friendly with Stranraer in July 2006. Gary is currently studying Business Studies at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.

Notes: 22-Sep v. Glenavon: replaced Mark Picking, 82 mins 29-Sep v. Glentoran: unused substitute 06-Oct v. Crusaders: replaced by Randal Reid, 63 mins 24-Nov v. Dungannon Swifts: unused substitute