8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 7, 2009

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OHIO	0-024399	34-1856319
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

275 West Federal Street, Youngstown, Ohio	44503-1203
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (330) 742-0500

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(d) On August 7, 2009, the Boards of Directors of United Community Financial Corp. and The Home Savings and Loan Company of Youngstown, Ohio appointed Scott N. Crewson to the Board of Directors of UCFC and the Board of Directors of Home Savings. Mr. Crewson was appointed to fill the vacancy on the UCFC Board created by the resignation of David G. Lodge and to fill a newly created vacancy on the Home Savings Board. Mr. Crewson also was appointed to the Compensation, Compliance and Nominating and Governance Committees of the Board.

A copy of the press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Crewson is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1

(e) On August 7, 2009, the Compensation Committee and the UCFC Board approved the award of 4,000 options to acquire UCFC shares to Mr. Crewson under the UCFC 2007 Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan. Each of the option awards vest in three equal installments on each of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011. The options have an exercise price of $1.57 per share and are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2007 Plan. The options awarded to Mr. Crewson were nonqualified stock options.

A copy of the 2007 Plan is attached as Exhibit 10.9 to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and a copy of the form of Award Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press release dated August 7, 2009

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
By:	/s/ Jude J. Nohra
	Jude J. Nohra, General Counsel & Secretary

Date: August 10, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated August 7, 2009

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Press Release:

Media Contact:
Sue Stricklin
Vice President, Marketing

Home Savings

sstricklin@homesavings.com
(330) 742-0638

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Community Financial Corp. and Home Savings Announce New Board Member

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (August 7, 2009) – United Community Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: UCFC), holding company of The Home Savings Loan Company, is pleased to welcome Scott N. Crewson as the newest member of both the UCFC and Home Savings Boards of Directors. His appointment is effective immediately.

Mr. Crewson retired in 2008 from BP, after having served for over 27 years in a variety of executive level positions, including most recently that of Deputy Director, Business Development in London England.

“Scott’s extensive experience in performance management, strategic planning and business development will provide valuable expertise to both Home Savings and United Community,” said Douglas M. McKay, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of United Community Financial Corp. and Chairman of the Board of Home Savings. “We look forward to working together, especially as we further develop business plans for both companies.”

A graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Crewson earned his MBA at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He is a past member of the Oregon Economic Development Foundation in Oregon, Ohio.

Mr. Crewson currently resides in Canfield, Ohio with his wife, Jan.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of United Community Financial Corp., Home Savings operates 39 full-service banking offices and six loan production offices located throughout Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Additional information on UCFC and Home Savings may be found at www.ucfconline.com. ###

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