Ferney Park

Ballinamallard United are the most Westerly of the current Premier League clubs and can take some pride in being the only County Fermanagh football club to be promoted to the top division. The small village (population around 1500) is located between two traditional Ulster GAA following towns, Enniskillen (County Fermanagh) and Omagh (County Tyrone). Ferney Park is located on the B46 Enniskillen Road, five minutes walk south of the village centre. As you would expect from a village ground, it is set in a peacefully rural location, keeping company with rolling hills and a modern housing development perched above the far side of the stadium.

The ground has seen a lot of recent investment resulting in it being transformed into a modern stadium that meets Premier League criteria. On the club house side of the ground is small covered seated stand that sits astride the half way line. This low all seater cantilevered stand for home supporters was opened in 2010. It is similar in size and design to prefabricated stands installed at Portstewart fc and Harland & Wolfe fc in recent years, though this stand has a concrete rather than a metal deck. It contains 205 seats over 4 rows with space and additional seats at one end for disabled supporters and their helpers. There are flat standing areas to either side of this stand.

Opposite is a strange looking affair. Two small covered terraces have been constructed, one on each side of the half way line. Each runs for around a quarter of the length of the pitch but are situated towards each end, resulting in a sizeable gap between them which is partly occupied by the team dugouts, with the  floodlights of the training ground visible in the background. The stands have been built with low cantilever steelwork and contain four rows of terrace. The two new stands have been named ‘The Fisher Stand’, in dedication to the late Tommy Fisher who was a club President and ‘The Village Stand’, in recognition of the funding from the Ballinamallard Enterprise Centre. This side of the ground is also complimented by a row of four of Ferney Parks eight new modern floodlights poles, which alongside the creation of the walkways and standing areas were part of the first upgrade to meet Championship requirements in 2009. Both ends are open and do not contain any stands for spectators. Instead they contain flat standing areas. Looking to the far end behind the goal a deep grassed area leads to the rear of the original wooden perimeter fence with the edge of the housing estate peering over the ground on a raised grass bank.

The overall look of  Ferney Park now, with its more permanent front stone boundary wall, the new floodlights and three new stands, shows a very modern professional set up, gearing up for a long stay in the top division. But the ground still retains the charm of its village setting.

Visiting fans can expect a warm and friendly welcome to a ground that has modern facilities. Beside the Club there is a ‘motorhome overnight stop’ so if you are touring you will know where to stay!

There is a club house bar at the ground which admits away supporters. Otherwise there are a couple of pubs around 10 minutes walk away in the centre of Ballinamallard.

The village and football ground is located directly next to the B46 road, six miles North of the Enniskillen and around 16 miles South of Omagh.

From the North (Derry, Omagh)
Follow the A5 South of Strabane, keep following the A5 around the outskirts of Omagh and then turn right into the A32 towards Irvinestown. At the village of Dromore turn left onto the R46 towards Fitona then take the next right onto the B46 towards Enniskillen. Once through the village of Ballinamallard and the river bridge you will find Ferney Park on the left hand side.

From the South (Dublin, Monaghan)
Follow the N54 West of Monaghan then as you go through the town of Clones turn right onto the A34 and head north, turning left onto the A4 on the approach to Enniskillen. On the outskirts of the town follow the A32 North towards Irvinestown, then take a right turn onto the B46. Ferney Park is situated on the right hand side as you approach to the village of Ballinamallard.

From the East (Belfast, Dungannon)
Follow the M1 towards Dungannon, the road merges into the A4 just South Of Dungannon. Stay on the this road all the way through to Enniskillen then on the outskirts of the town follow the A32 North towards Irvinestown, then take a right turn onto the B46. Ferney Park is situated on the right hand side as you approach the village of Ballinamallard.

From the West (Sligo)
Follow the N16 from Sligo. As you pass by Lough Macnean Lower turn onto the A4 at Belcoo and head towards Enniskillen. Follow the A4 into the centre of Enniskillen then take the A32 north towards Irvinestown. After two miles take a right turn onto the B46. Ferney Park is situated on the right hand side as you approach the village of Ballinamallard.

Car Parking
There is a car park at the ground which is free.

This part of Northern Ireland does not have a rail network so the only public transport option is to go by bus. However due to its remote location there are no direct bus services to Ballinamallard from either Belfast or Derry. The village is six miles North of Enniskillen and around 16 miles South of Omagh. Although Ballinamallard is served by Ulsterbus 94 Enniskillen-Omagh between 9am-5pm on weekdays the timetable is far less frequent at weekday evenings and very infrequent on Saturdays.

For those travelling from Belfast the most reliable option would be to take the hourly Goldline Express 261/273 Enniskillen Coach Service and then book a taxi to and from Ballinamallard. For Saturday afternoon games however please be aware the last service back to Belfast leaves Enniskillen at 18.25pm!

Adults £7
Concessions £5

Official Programme £1.50.

Bearing in mind how much of a draw the GAA games at Enniskillen and Omagh are, it is worth noting the nearest football clubs could be seen as having more of a friendly rather than competitive rivalry. Enniskillen Rangers and Lisbellaw United are the nearest clubs. The nearest Premier League rivals are Dungannon Swifts.

2017-2018: 452 (Northern Ireland Premiership)
2016-2017: 445 (Northern Ireland Premiership)
2015-2016: 388 (Northern Ireland Premiership)

If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.

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Official Web Site: www.ballinamallardfc.co.uk

Official Social Media
YouTube: BUFCSupportersClub
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ballinamallard
Twitter: @ballinamallard

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.

Special thanks to Owen Pavey and Roy Cathcart for providing the photos of Ferney Park Ballinamallard United and again to Owen Pavey for providing the stadium layout plan diagram.