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BARREN NINTIES (1990-1999)

Ballymena United line-up before a European Cup Winners' Cup tie against RSC Anderlecht.

Jim Hagan

The Irish League came up with the idea of promotion and relegation, and decided that they would combine the places of the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons to form a total score, on which to base a league upon. After a shaky start from Hagan, he was replaced by former Glentoran-boss Tommy Jackson, who faired no better. After a dismal season, he lasted only a couple of months into the following campaign before the axe was wielded yet again by the United board in October 1994.

The managerial merry-go-round continued when local man Gary Erwin was appointed in October 1994 in a vain attempt to secure a place in the Premier League, despite a famous win against Linfield, he failed miserably and was shown the door in March 1995.

Alan Fraser was brought in at the end of the 1994/95 season, in order to prepare for the forthcoming First Division campaign. Despite throwing the money about, United finished the following season well behind runaway leaders, Coleraine. Fraser won promotion to the Premier League at a canter the following season, and also lost out to Cliftonville on penalties in the County Antrim Shield final of 1997. In December '97, Fraser made a club record signing of £20,000 for Crusaders hitman, Glenn Hunter.

United had a blistering start to their first Premier League campaign in 1997/98 season, however with the money starting to dry up - United began to lag behind the rest. They twice finished runners-up in the Irish News Cup, and lost out in the semi-finals of the Irish Cup to Portadown - who won the Cup by default that year. This result ultimately cost Fraser his job, and he was sacked in April 1999.

THE WAIT GOES ON (2000-PRESENT)

Ballymena United players celebrate avoiding relegation in April 2000.

Former Glenavon and Bangor boss, Nigel Best, was brought in to replace Fraser - however a combination of poor management and lack of finance saw Best's poor team struggle. In his first season the Sky Blues miraculously avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

Best only lasted another few months as he was dismissed in December 2000, after a humiliating defeat to Newry Town, and with the team struggling badly. United appointed unqualified club physio, George Magill, as caretaker-manager with striker Glenn Hunter as his assistant until January.

Former Coleraine boss and ex-United player Kenny Shiels came in January 2001, but couldn’t save the Braidmen from relegation to Division One. 2002 seen the new 1,800 grandstand built at the Showgrounds and Shiels' side gained promotion back to the top-flight in 2002/2003, at the second attempt. He also lost out in the final of the County Antrim Shield to Glentoran in the same season, and finished runners-up in the Ulster Cup.

A solid first season back in the Premier League in 2003/2004, aided by the acquisition of former Nottingham Forest striker, Nigel Jemson, meant qualification by default for the Intertoto Cup in 2004; which saw a remarkable 0-0 draw against Danish side, Odense - only to lose the home second leg heavily.

Big spending Shiels was sacked in May 2005 after losing to unfancied Larne in the Irish Cup semi-final, and replaced by former Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Tommy Wright. The Ballyclare man cruelly missed out on a County Antrim Shield in his first season, but going into his third season at the Warden Street – has yet to finish higher than seventh in the league, as the wait for that elusive trophy goes on.