DESPITE an awful record in the cup competitions, Irish Cup holders Ballymena United, under the management of Alex McKee emerged as possible title challengers in the league.

Remarkably defeating Linfield 5-1 at the Showgrounds in March 1990, gave the Braid faithful reason to believe, but it wasn't to be. Despite leading 2-1 against champions-to-be Portadown later that month, the Ports pulled it back to win - and the rest is history, as the Sky Blues finished 5th.

In the cup competitions there were some embarrassing results, as the Sky Blues only made it past the first stage of one of seven competitions. Most notably they gave up their Irish Cup crown in humiliating fashion with a 5th round replay defeat to then 'B' division side, Dungannon Swifts. A League cup defeat to Brantwood and finishing bottom of both Ulster Cup and Gold Cup group stages didn't bode well for McKee's men.

European football proved to be a masterclass in how to play football as Ballymena's European Cup Winners' Cup tie against RSC Anderlecht of Belgium provided a 10-0 aggregate scoreline for the European giants. United lost 6-0 away in Brussels in the first leg, and 4-0 at the Showgrounds in the second.

Lindsay Curry finished top goalscorer with 14 goals and three players played in all 41 competitive games - John Garrett, John Heron and Michael Smyth.

Final League Position - 5th (from 14)

Irish Cup - Fifth Round - defeated by Dungannon Swifts
Gold Cup - Group Stages
Ulster Cup - Group Stages
League Cup - First Round - defeated by Brantwood
Floodlit Cup - Second Round - defeated by Glenavon
County Antrim Shield - First Round - defeated by Newry Town

European Cup Winners' Cup - First Round - defeated by RSC Anderlecht

Total games played - 41
Total wins - 13
Total draws - 11
Total defeats - 17
Total goals scored - 49
Total goals conceded - 55

Biggest home win - 5-1 v. Linfield - 03-Mar-90 (League)
Biggest away win - 2-0 v. Crusaders - 30-Dec-89 (League), 2-0 v. Portadown - 01-Jan-90 (Floodlit Cup), 2-0 v. Ards - 10-Feb-90 (League), 2-0 v. Coleraine - 17-Apr-90 (League)

Biggest home defeat - 0-4 v. RSC Andelecht - 27-Sep-89 (ECWC)
Biggest away defeat - 0-6 v. RSC Andelecht - 13-Sep-89 (ECWC)

Most appearances (all competitions) - John Garrett, John Heron and Michael Smyth (all 41)
Most appearances (league only) - John Garrett, John Heron and Michael Smyth (all 26)

Leading goalscorer (all competitions) - Lindsay Curry (14 goals)
Leading goalscorer (league only) - Lindsay Curry (9 goals)
Hat-tricks - None