Rod Stewart: Music legend praises Ballymena United's Wrightbus gesture

About 1,200 Wrightbus workers were made redundant on Wednesday after the company entered administration.

Music legend Rod Stewart has praised Ballymena United for their gesture of free admission to 1,200 workers who have just been made redundant.

The Sky Blues have said that employees of Ballymena-based firm Wrightbus can get into Saturday's home game against Cliftonville free of charge.

Efforts are under way to help the workers after the company entered administration this week.

"Three cheers for Ballymena United," Scottish singer Stewart tweeted.

"What a wonderful, charitable gesture to the Wrightbus employees. There should be more of this in football."

In a statement on Thursday, Ballymena United said that the club recognises it is a "focal point for all sections of the community".

"We share in the emotions that have swept over our town," the statement said.

"The devastating news yesterday that Wrightbus has entered administration was a body blow to their workers, their families and the wider supply network, many of whom are in the makeup of our loyal fan base," continued the statement.

"This morning the board of directors and management committee have discussed ways in which Ballymena United can give back to those who support us through thick and thin, acknowledging that as our fans are there for the club, so too must the club be there for its fans.

"In that regard, the first step will be to offer free admission to all Wrightbus employees at our match verses Cliftonville this Saturday on production of their Wrightbus ID or clock card.

"We hope that even if for 90 minutes, everyone's mind will be diverted to the team on the pitch and we can roar the lads home to a valuable three points."

The Sky Blues, who were Irish Premiership runners-up last season, sit seventh in the league table after a mixed start to the new campaign.