NI Football Fund: Glentoran and Cliftonville to receive most funding
They're among the 20 clubs whose funding applications will progress
Two Irish Premiership clubs, Glentoran and Cliftonville have been earmarked to receive an over £6million boost.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons made the announcement on Thursday.
It is under the NI Football Fund performance programme from the Department for Communities.
18 other clubs are also set to have their funding applications progressed.
But Coleraine and Derry City are among the clubs who have been unsuccessful.
Speaking at a special live streamed event at H&W Welders Football Club in Belfast, the Minister said: “I am pleased to announce the 20 performance club projects proceeding to the next stage of the process.
“These clubs, big and small, from across Northern Ireland, have impressed with their plans to improve facilities for the game and for local communities.”
Department for Communities officials will work closely with the 20 projects on business case development and carry out detailed due diligence checks.
The Minister added: “Together we are moving forward to achieve real change for the benefit of players, fans and local communities. And we are in this for the long haul.
“It is clear that the need and demand at club level exceeds the current available budget of £36.2million.
“I will be seeking the fair and equitable funding which is due after years of delays during which time capital construction costs have soared.”
Paying tribute to all 38 clubs who applied to the Fund, the Minister said: “I appreciate the hard work that has gone into all of the proposals by applicants, supported by fans and players alike.
“I have visited many grounds during my time as Minister and have seen the level of need first-hand.
“I know that some will be disappointed today. But this is not the end of the journey.
“I give my commitment today to stay with you and continue to seek further funding to meet the evidenced need.”
Announcements on the Grassroots Facilities and National Football Centre strands of the Fund will be made in the coming months.
The 20 applications to progress to the next stage, in alphabetical order under each tier of the programme, are:
Tier 1 (project value under £1.5million)
• Armagh City
• Ballymacash Sports Academy
• Lisburn Distillery
• Queen’s University
• Rathfriland Rangers
Tier 2 (project value £1.5million to £6million)
• Ballinamallard United
• Ballymena United
• Banbridge Town
• Bangor
• Carrick Rangers
• Dergview
• Dungannon Swifts
• Glenavon
• Larne
• Lisburn Rangers
• Loughgall
• Newry City
• Oxford Sunnyside
Tier 3 (project value more than £6million)
• Cliftonville
• Glentoran
All applicants have been notified of the outcome of their application.
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