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): September 23, 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 September 23, 2009, the Boards of Directors of United Community Financial Corp. and The Home Savings and Loan Company of Youngstown, Ohio appointed F. Scott O’Donnell to the Board of Directors of UCFC and the Board of Directors of Home Savings. Mr. O’Donnell was appointed to fill newly created vacancies on both Boards. Mr. O’Donnell also was appointed to the Board Loan, Compliance and Nominating and Governance Committees of the Board.

On September 23, 2009, the Compensation Committee and the UCFC Board approved the award of 4,000 options to acquire UCFC shares to Mr. O’Donnell 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 $1.71 per share and are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2007 Plan. The options awarded to Mr. O’Donnell 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.

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

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press release dated September 23, 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: September 29, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 23, 2009

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Media Contact:
Sue Stricklin
Vice President, Marketing

Home Savings
sstricklin@homesavings.com
(330) 742-0638

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Community Financial Corp. Announces New Board Member

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (September 23, 2009) – United Community Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: UCFC), holding company for The Home Savings Loan Company, is pleased to welcome F. Scott O’Donnell as the newest member of both the UCFC and Home Savings Boards of Directors effective immediately.

O’Donnell founded O’Donnell & Associates, LTD, which was formed in 2007 to provide specialized services to banks, boards of directors and individuals interested in the banking industry. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President and Director and Senior Credit Officer for a small regional bank and its holding company in eastern Ohio, as well as an executive officer responsible for credit quality in the affiliate banks of the Society Corporation (now known as Key Corp) in Cleveland, Ohio, which included credit policies, Board reporting and internal loan review.

In 1999, O’Donnell was appointed Superintendent of Financial Institutions for the State of Ohio. This position substantially expended his responsibilities to include the supervision of savings and loans, credit unions and various consumer credit organizations, as well as banks. During this time, he also oversaw the chartering and regulatory oversight of these financial institutions while developing close working relationships with federal regulators who shared supervisory responsibilities. “Mr. O’Donnell brings with him more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry and with regulatory agencies,” 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. “His unique combination of experiences well suits him to assist and support the missions of both Home Savings and United Community and we feel very fortunate to have him on board.”

O’Donnell is a member of the Ohio Community Bankers Association and previously served as a Director Member of the Conference of Bank Supervisors, as well as a past member of the Ohio Bankers League and the Ohio Bankers Association. He currently resides in Avon Lake, Ohio, with his wife Ann.

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.