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Our featured supporter is David Torrington from Ballymena. David can be found at all Ballymena United games, home and away.


How long have you supported Ballymena United?

I started coming in 1997, when my sister Karen convinced me to come along.

Can you remember your first match?

My first match was an early season encounter with our old enemies Coleraine at home on a Friday night, which we won 1-0. I think Declan Mgcreevey scored the winner, Wes Lamont got sent off and Barry Patton missed a penalty. There was a big crowd at the match from what I remember.

Best United game you remember?

It would be a hard choice between the 0-0 draw in Odense and beating the Blues 4-2 at the Showgrounds around 1998/99. The trip to Denmark was amazing - the Sky Blue Crew took over the whole town, singing around the streets on Saturday night and walking up to the game with the flags. The result made the weekend perfect and the celebration with the players that night were amazing. Shea Campbell was the song leader that night!

All time United player?

Nigel Boyd. He has been here since I began supporting the Sky Blues and he always gives his all for the team, in my eyes he's a true United legend.

Favourite goal by a United player?

Mark Carlisle's 30 yard volley in the 4-2 win over Linfield around 1998/99 in Ballymena. The ball was cleared by the Linfield defence and came towards Marko, who hit it first time and sent it flying into the top corner. I couldn't believe it had gone in at first but everyone around me started celebrating, we were 3-0 up at that stage at home to the Blues!

Favourite Memory?

Odense. Hopefully come the spring we'll have qualified for Europe again and will get the chance to paint another town Sky Blue.

Worst Memory?

Getting relegated - on the last day of season we needed to beat Portadown at home but drew 3-3 and went down, it was devestating. The Semi-Final against Larne last year I could not believe the way we lost the game, the fact we had so many chances to score made it hard to take.

Players who have impressed you?

Dessie Loughery was one of the best BUFC players as he scored a lot of great goals and his long throw in was useful. I'll never forget his goal against Coleraine on Boxing Day straight into the net from a corner! Glenn 'Spike' Ferguson is a lethal goal scorer I think everyone would love to have him in their team. Mickey Collins is the best midfielder in the Irish League, he's a menace but he makes a huge difference in almost every game.

Your favourite United memento?

A Dessie Loughery autograph which I got in the dressing room before his last game for Ballymena.

Your favourite United kit?

The current home kit is very nice or the yellow strip we use sometimes - we always seemed to be lucky wearing that kit, winning 1-0 at Windsor Park and drawing away in Europe.

What does following the Sky Blues mean to you?

It means everything to me, supporting Ballymena has its ups and downs but that's why it's so great to be a BUFC fan, you never know what to expect!

Your hopes for the future?

To win a trophy and qualify for Europe again.

All time United team?

GK Richard McKinney
RB Mark Carlisle
CH Jason Allen
CH Gary Smyth
LB Ciaran Donaghy
RM Dessie Loughery
CM Phillip Knell
CM Oran Kearney
LM Nigel Boyd
CF Rory Hamill
CF Peter Withnell