Comrades sign keeper Gordon Chambers has moved to provide competition and cover in the goalkeeping berth, given the likely unavailability due to work commitments of Allen Huxley, by signing Paul Hughes. Paul was previously at Comrades as a youngster, mostly appearing in the reserve side, but also making a few first team appearances from 2000/10 to 2002/03. He then moved on to play successfully for PSNI and Dundela, winning junior international caps in the process. Comrades' summer signings Manager Gordon Chambers has made four close-season additions to Comrades squad. Firstly he signed right-back Mark Hadden. Mark has previous experience at PSNI, Carrick Rangers and Ballymoney United. He then brought Comrades stalwart, the mercurial striker Eddie Hill back to Dixon Park, after a fruitless year away at Carrick Rangers. Then two further defenders were brought in to bolster Comrades defensive options, following the departures of Andy Long and Gareth Curlett. Aaron Holland was signed from Carrick Rangers. Aaron is an ex-Comades youth product who plays at centre-back. Another centre-back brought in is experienced Eddie Adams from Larne Tech OB. Eddie formerly played for both Carrick Rangers and Larne Curlett heads for Nortel Defender Gareth Curlett has left Comrades to join former manager Jamesy Kirk and a number of other ex-Comrades players at Amateur League side Nortel. Gareth played 37 times for Comrades, scoring 1 goal. All at Ballyclare Comrades FC wish him well for the future. Long leaves for Bangor Comrades' plans for the new season have received a blow with the departure of popular vice-captain Andy Long to Championship rivals Bangor. Andy made a big impression in the team in his two seasons at Dixon Park, having arrived from Ballymena United. He was a regular in defence at right-back or centre-back, playing in 69 games and getting on the scoresheet twice. Ballyclare Comrades FC wishes Andy all the best for the future. First pre-season games announced Ballyclare Comrades fans are assured of some Premier League action at Dixon Park before the new season kicks off. Glenavon have already confirmed that they will be providing the opposition on Saturday 24th July and Comrades manager, Gordon Chambers, is confident that others will follow suit. "I have been in touch with several senior clubs," said Gordon, "but th ey have been unable to commit themselves to a specific date at present, but have promised to come back to me. "Similar to last season, I plan to have a full programme of pre-season friendlies mainly against Amateur League teams, but at the moment the only other definite commitment has been from Chimney Corner FC, who will entertain us at Allen Park on Saturday 17th July." (Article courtesy of George Brown) Huxley the big winner at Player of the Year Awards Comrades keeper Allen Huxley is presented with the Player of the Year trophy by club President Eddie McClintock (Photo courtesy of Freddie Parkinson) Ballyclare Comrades 'keeper Allen Huxley hogged the headlines at end of season awards, when he collected three trophies.After having been involved in coaching for a season, Allen donned the gloves again and turned in a series of consistent displays that were recognised by his team-mates, officials and fans. His reward was the Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Club Player of the Year trophies, the latter being held jointly with vice-captain Andy Long. The other senior team awards went to Mark McClelland who took home the Top Scorer's trophy, and Stuart McCullough who collected the Young Player of the Year trophy, while evergreen secretary, Don Horner, was a worthy recipient of the Clubman of the Year trophy. Skipper Matt Boyd was a double winner with the Reserve XI, lifting the Player of the Year trophy and the Top Scorer's trophy that he shared with Gerard Bond. The Under 18 XI winners were: Player of the Year, Dale Brennan; Players Player of the Year, Glenn Pearce; and Top Scorer's trophy, Joe McAllister. The event, held in the Comrades Social Club, was well attended by officials, supporters and players from the senior, reserve and Under 18 squads, who were welcomed by the chairman, Trevor McCann. Reflecting on a successful evening, manager Gordon Chambers congratulated all winners and thanked members of the Ladies' Committee for providing much appreciated buffet refreshments. "At the beginning of the season our aim was to consolidate our position in the IFA Championship 1, and we achieved that, albeit with a win in our final game," said Gordon. "Travelling to Ballinamallard for that crucial final fixture knowing that we had to win to stay up was a daunting task for our young side, and the fact that they won 2-0 proved that we have plenty of character in the squad." "I take this opportunity to thank all club officials, coaches, backroom staff and supporters who have contributed so much to another fine season," he added. (Article courtesy of George Brown) Dixon Park upgrade One of the new stands at Dixon Park Ballyclare Comrades now boasts one of the best grounds in IFA Championship 1, courtesy of a £273,000 building project.Over the past few months, massive improvements at Dixon Park, partly assisted by funding from Sport NI, have resulted in enhanced facilities at the club. New seats have been installed, with covered tiered stands provided on three sides of the ground and red seating adding a welcome touch of colour. "Working on this project has been a long, hard slog during the past two years, involving our committee and members of the Supporters' Club, but the results have been worth all the effort," said club chairman, Trevor McCann. "We are deeply indebted to our treasurer, Robert Fleck, whose business acumen has been crucial to the success of the scheme, but without our youth programme we would never have been able to start this project. "In total the building project cost about £273,000, with the bulk of this coming from grants, and we are not far short of satisfying the criteria required for the domestic licence necessary for admission to the Premier League. We have, however, no plans to go down that route at present. (Article courtesy of George Brown) McCullough called up to Irish Universities squad A string of consistent performances at the heart of Ballyclare Comrades' defence have earned Stuart McCullough a call-up with the Irish Universities team.After starring for the Reds against Carrick on Saturday, Stuart was off to Dublin for the week to meet up with the Universities squad, but he'll be back at Dixon Park for the visit of Coagh United on Saturday. Stuart is a product of the highly acclaimed Ballyclare Comrades Academy that caters for 7-18 year olds. Another player leaves for Australia Following the departure of Keith Armstrong earlier in the season, another player from the Comrades squad has left for Australia. Defender Ricky Lecky has molved 'Down Under' further depleting Gordon Chambers' squad. Ricky played 7 times for the first team, having arrived last summer. He impressed in a run of games at right-back before getting an injury that kept him out of first-team action for a number of months. Ballyclare Comrades FC wishes Ricky all the best for the future. Devine leaves for Malachians Defender Niall Devine has left Comrades to sign for Amateur League side Malachians. Niall arrived as part of the raft of new players who joined the club in the summer and played 10 games in the early part of the season. However, injury and then the emergence of other players has meant that he has not featured since.  Ballyclare Comrades FC wishes Niall good luck for the future. Moore released In a shock move, Comrades striker Ricky Moore, who has done so well this season since arriving from 18th Newtownabbey OB in the summer, has asked for, and has been granted, release from his contract to return to the Monstown based Amateur League club. It is thought that Ricky was disappointed by his place as only a substitute in the Irish Cup match against Glentoran. However, his decision is very surprising, given his regular first team role this season at Dixon Park and his good form for the club. Ricky scored 8 goals in 22 games (6 as sub) for Comrades and was challenging Mark McClelland for the top goalscorer at the club this season. Ballyclare Comrades FC wishes Ricky good luck for the future. Beefy leaves for Australia Comrades midfielder Keith "Beefy" Armstrong has left for a new life in Australia. The 24 year old midfielder had been producing excellent form recently and fittingly scored on his last match for the club in the 6-1 defeat of Glebe Rangers. Everyone at Ballyclare Comrades FC wishes Beefy all the very best Down Under. Two ex-players return to the club Gordon Chambers has boosted his squad with the addition of two strikers from PSNI who have tasted life at Dixon Park before. Stevie McDowell has returned to the club after a couple of season away, whilst Steve Bainbridge, who was at the club as a young player in the early part of the noughties, has also returned.