The Public Affairs Committee of the Ballymena Presbytery have issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, 4 April, calling on the Irish Football Association (IFA) to move the date of the Irish Cup Final from a Sunday to another day in the week.
The cup final match was rescheduled this year to accommodate the Coronation of King Charles which will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, May 6 - the original date of the Final.
The Sky Blues are set to face Crusaders at Windsor Park after stunning Larne in the semi-final last week at Seaview, but with the Coronation planned for the same weekend, the IFA moved the game to the next day, Sunday 7 May 2023.
The shift has caused a dilemma for fans of the club who are committed Christians and who attend church services on a Sunday as part of the practising of their faith.
The statement released by Presbyterian church leaders in the Ballymena area says:
"Ballymena Presbytery Public Affairs Committee wishes to congratulate Ballymena United FC on the great achievement of reaching another Irish Cup Final.
"Within most, if not indeed all our congregations, we have keen supporters of Ballymena United FC and join with them in hoping that Ballymena United will be successful in winning the Irish Cup this year.
"However, it is with much regret and concern that we understand that this year’s final is currently scheduled to take place on a Sunday. We appreciate the need to rearrange the game from its traditional Saturday afternoon time to accommodate those who wish to celebrate the Coronation of the King Charles III. However, we do feel that an alternative time other than a Sunday could have been found to the agreement of all parties.
"Our concern comes from the difficult position this presents to many supporters of Ballymena Utd (and also Crusaders). Many fans of Irish league clubs, including these two clubs, are committed Christians for whom Sunday is a special day of worship and rest, which includes the regular practice of attending services of worship.
"We’ve heard from numerous fans how disappointed they are that the final is to take place on a Sunday and they are torn over whether to attend the match or not. We’ve no doubt that some will attend the match, with reservation, while many are opting not to go and, sadly for them, are missing out on a very special occasion. Rather than a Sunday final being a progressive change, we strongly feel that this is discriminatory and not in the best interests of local football.
"As the Ballymena Presbytery Public Affairs Committee, we have contacted the Irish FA and asked them to change this decision of playing the Irish Cup Final on a Sunday.
"The Ballymena Presbytery Public Affairs Committee also has contacted Ballymena United FC, to commend them for being one of the clubs who have chosen not to play league matches on a Sunday, and to encourage the club to make the strongest representation possible to the Irish FA in order to get this game changed to another day.
"We trust that wisdom prevails, so that the day of the Irish Cup Final is changed from a Sunday and that all Ballymena United fans can be part of this special day and see Ballymena United lift the Cup.
"Ballymena Presbytery Public Affairs Committee encourages all the people within its bounds, to see our Sundays as a special and merciful gift from God to be used for His worship and glory. We also would ask Ballymena United fans who disagree with the Irish Cup Final being scheduled to be played on the Sunday, to graciously make their feelings known to the Irish FA and Ballymena United FC".