Ervin targeted 'big personalities' to lift standards

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin believes last season was a "reality check" for his side, but believes the Sky Blues have "gelled really well" ahead of the new campaign.

After finishing ninth last term, it was a busy transfer window on Warden Street with eight players joining the side and 12 leaving the club.

"They have all gelled really well. We had a training camp two weekends ago and it was all about trying to get the new boys gelled in," Ervin told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

"Obviously there are a lot of new faces and big personalities and stuff like that. So it's important that you try and get them gelled in as quickly and as early as possible.

"I think the guys have settled in really well and they're just itching to get going as well."

Despite last season bringing welcome improvements from the previous campaign when the side finished 11th and had to overcome Institute to retain their Premiership status, Ballymena still struggled with consistency through 2024-25.

During the final six games, they registered just one victory after going 12 games unbeaten earlier in the season.

"The biggest disappointment of last season was how we faded off in the split. It was a massive reality check to me and the staff in terms of what we want to do and where we want to go," added Ervin.

"That's why we've went and recruited certain positions and certain personnel. We are trying to improve not only that position, but also the competition levels.

"We want everything to be as high a standard as we possibly can and we feel with bringing in certain types of players that we've brought in, they'll hold that standard really high and they'll call people out when they fall below it."