Northern Ireland football fund open for applications
More than 40 football clubs in Northern Ireland can now apply for money from a £36.2m fund which was initially announced 14 years ago.The Northern Ireland Football Fund dates back to 2011, when it was called the Sub-Regional Stadia Programme.At the same time, £62.5m was allocated to rebuild Casement Park GAA stadium in west Belfast.The aim of the fund is to improve sporting facilities for players and fans, with clubs like Glentoran, Cliftonville, Larne, Derry City and Coleraine among those expected to apply.Making the announcement, the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has admitted that much more money will be required but insisted the new fund was "only a beginning".
An estimated £200m is needed to bring facilities in Northern Ireland up to the required standard.Lyons was asked by BBC News NI why, in his first year in office, the Casement redevelopment had not yet been delivered.He said: "There is a significant funding gap between the money that is on the table right now and the plans that are on the table for the redevelopment of Casement Park."On football facilities in Northern Ireland, he said he had been shocked at the "dire" state of some grounds."My vision is to improve conditions for players and to provide safe, accessible football grounds for supporters," he said."This will require additional funding in due course, and I will be seeking to sustain the fund with further investment from a range of sources."
In order to be granted money, clubs must demonstrate that they will contribute at least 5% of the total project costs.For council-owned grounds, this rises to 40%.The fund is open to 41 clubs in total in the men's and women's game. They are all members of the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) or League of Ireland who play their home matches at a venue located in Northern Ireland.NIFL chief executive Gerard Lawlor welcomed the announcement "with cautious optimism".He added: "This current fund will, unfortunately, have nowhere near the impact as initially intended, and as the minister himself has stated, much more is needed to have the required impact."
Irish FA President, Conrad Kirkwood, called it a "positive step forward".He added: "It is long overdue and falls significantly short of the Department for Communities' own estimated £200 million required to upgrade performance club grounds, grassroots facilities, and establish a National Football Centre for Northern Ireland."Not all of the £36.2m is available to the 41 clubs mentioned.Some of the money is earmarked for grassroots facilities and the planned new National Football Centre.
The clubs can apply for one of three categories of grants:Projects with a total cost of up to £1.5mUp to £6mMore than £6m
The application process is expected to close in mid-March.It is not clear how long it will be before the first money is handed out, and work on new projects can begin.Minister Lyons said he wants to see improvements at league grounds begin "as quickly as possible".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Trai Hume expects in-demand Ronan Hale to shine on the international stage
Former Cliftonville hero Hale can reflect on a strong season with Ross County even though his side lost their Scottish Premiership status. Clubs in England and Scotland are now competing for the 26-year-old's signature after an impressive debut season with the Staggies. The Belfast Telegraph disclosed that League One sides Wigan Athletic, Luton Town and Port Vale are keen on the striker, while he is also a target for Scottish Premiership teams Aberdeen and Dundee. Hale is with the Northern Ireland squad preparing for Saturday's friendly in Denmark and he hopes to make his senior international bow over this June double header. Michael O'Neill's side face Iceland at Windsor Park next Tuesday after taking on the Danes. Dangerman Hale was disappointed not to play in the March friendlies, after going through a protracted Fifa process to complete an international transfer from the Republic of Ireland, however this could be the perfect time to showcase his talent with a potential summer switch on the horizon. Hale hit a hugely impressive 18 goals for Ross County in the 2024/25 campaign following last summer's move from Cliftonville. Despite his heroics, which included netting twice in the end-of-season promotion/relegation Play-Off against Livingston, County still went down. The Staggies will be aware they won't be able to keep their top marksman and will look for a healthy fee for a player who signed a three-year deal in 2024. The Belfast man has proved he can deliver in the Scottish Premiership and Sunderland star Hume believes the former Larne, Crusaders and Derry City striker can fire in this international window. 'Yeah, definitely,' said Hume when asked if this was a perfect opportunity for Hale to show what he can do. 'Ronan has done very well with County. His club were relegated but it was a great season for him personally. 'He has scored a lot of goals and hopefully he can get his debut — that is a call for Michael and his coaching staff. 'I have no doubt that if he does get his chance, he will take it with both hands and do well. Ronan is a great player and goal scorer.' While Hale's immediate future is up in the air, Hume has moved to allay the fears of Sunderland fans that he may be about to jump ship. The former Linfield defender has seen his name linked with Everton and Wolves, and speculation over his future is a familiar tale for the 23-year-old. While interest in the player is to be expected, what hasn't changed is Hume's affection for the Black Cats. That relationship is closer than ever after Hume and his international comrade Daniel Ballard helped Sunderland earn promotion in dramatic fashion. Ballard scored a 122nd-minute winner in the second leg of their Play-Off semi-final against Coventry City before Tommy Watson's stoppage-time goal completed a come-from-behind win over Sheffield United at Wembley. Hume and Ballard spoke during a training camp in Marbella this week, with both men sporting winning smiles. The dynamic duo will join Liverpool's Conor Bradley and Crystal Palace FA Cup winner Justin Devenny in the top flight, while Tottenham's Jamie Donley has returned from his loan at Leyton Orient. O'Neill has spoken of the importance of his players competing at a high level and Hume, who joined Sunderland from Linfield in 2022, is convinced his country will reap the benefits. 'It's not in any doubt that when you are exposing yourself to the best League in the world, it will help you,' said Hume. 'You want to try your best to do well there. You can become a better player because of it. "Myself and Dan are still young. Conor and Justin are still young and hopefully we can have many years in the Premier League and that will benefit ourselves and Northern Ireland going forward. 'I have no doubt there are other players in the squad that can get themselves in the Premier League but it is us four at the minute and hopefully we can push the lads and bring them up to the standard that we will set.' O'Neill's side will face Luxembourg, Germany and Slovakia in their bid to reach a first World Cup since 1986. There is a sense of anticipation and excitement around this young team the former Stoke City boss is building. Hume is the new promotion king — after firing Northern Ireland into League B in the Nations League, he helped to steer Sunderland to the Premier League. Team spirit and togetherness matters at club and international level. 'I think it's obviously a wee bit different to a point because you spend basically every day of your life with each other at Sunderland,' he explained. 'You're with each other every day, when you're training and whenever you're outside of football, most of the time you're spending it with your team-mates as well, unless you've got kids. 'But for me, that's what I do, and you get really close with them. International football is kind of different. You've obviously grown up with a lot of people in the squad, so you kind of get that friendship and that bond very early on. 'So it is similar in a way. Obviously, Sunderland have a great togetherness as everyone's around the same age. 'But we have a great togetherness here too and I think that can take you very far no matter where you're playing. So as long as you have that, you're putting yourself in good stead. 'Whenever we do go through tough times or we are enjoying it, we keep a level head and try and stick to the job at hand and stay together.' In March, Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Switzerland before crashing to a 5-1 loss to Sweden. The former Ballymena United defender played against Switzerland but not the Swedes. O'Neill's side begin their bid to qualify for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with an away game against Luxembourg in September before travelling to four-time world Champions Germany. A clash in Denmark will shine a light on the team's resilience on the road. Players like Hume and Ballard have developed a big game mentality. 'Yes, I think it will help us deal with the atmosphere a bit better,' continued Hume. 'Obviously, the calibre of players will be a lot different. I think we will try our best to deal with that. 'I think the big games you do play in, you get used to the emotion of it and the challenge of playing in front of the crowd and not getting caught up in the emotion of the game. 'Germany is definitely going to be a lot different than Sheffield United. Like I say, we will just have to try our best to be ready and be focused for it. 'Whenever we were here (Denmark) two years ago, we almost got a point out of it if it wasn't for VAR, so I think we can give Denmark a good challenge here and hopefully we will win the game.'
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
'Hale does not fit Aberdeen striker profile'
Ross County striker Ronan Hale does not fit the profile of forward being sought by Aberdeen despite a report linking the 26-year-old with Pittodrie along with Dundee and League One clubs Wigan Athletic, Luton Town and Port Vale. (Press & Journal), externalAberdeen, Preston North End and Wrexham are among the clubs interested in 16-year-old Cliftonville striker Shay Reid. (Belfast Newsletter), externalFormer Sweden international Erik Edman is among them a number of overseas scouts being added to Aberdeen's network after the arrival of Motherwell head of performance analysis Ross Clarkson. (Daily Record), externalRead Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Glentoran manager and captain among host of footballer and celebrity signatories to ending hunger open letter
Glentoran manager Declan Devine and club captain Marcus Kane are among the figures from football and entertainment who have signed an open letter asking supporters to take 'collective action' to end hunger in the UK. The move is part of the 'Football vs Hunger' campaign by anti-poverty charity Trussell and signatories to the open letter also include the likes of World Cup winners Sir Geoff Hurst and Emmanuel Petit, former Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler and Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio. Also included in the open letter are the signatures of footballers Neville Southall, Peter Schmeichel, actors Jason Isaacs and Matt Lucas, entertainment artists, KSI and Tom Grennan, and those familiar to TV viewers such as Vernon Kay, Henry Winter and Hayley McQueen. The Trussell campaign is also backed by clubs from across the country, including Glentoran, Liverpool, Everton, St Johnstone, Motherwell and Bangor 1876 FC. In their open letter to fans, the stars from football and beyond say: 'Football means so much to so many of us, and we all care deeply about our own team's success. But, some things mean more than individual club rivalries. Like, ensuring nobody experiences hunger - no matter what team they support. 'While food banks are a lifeline, they're not the solution. And, we need collective action if we are to ensure that everyone can afford the essentials. 'And, we're asking for your support. 'From tackling racism, to standing up to homophobia, the football community has shaped a better society, by uniting to make clear what we think is acceptable as a nation. It's now time for fans, players and clubs to come together and tackle one of the biggest challenges facing the UK - hunger. 'Football vs Hunger is a chance for clubs, players and fans to come together to show their support by signing for Trussell FC, and joining a team who are committed to relegating hunger to history.' Last month Trussell revealed that 2.9 million emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship across the UK between April 2024 and March 2025, a 51% increase compared to five years ago, and more than a million of the parcels were provided for children. Speaking about these figures, 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst said: "In the UK, someone needs an emergency food parcel every 11 seconds, this isn't right. I'm proud to support Football vs Hunger and encourage football fans to play their part in ending the need for food banks in the UK by signing for Trussell FC." Fans can show their support by signing for Trussell FC at You can find out how many emergency food parcels were distributed in your area on the Trussell website:
