‘He delivered what he said he would’ – Gerard Lawlor praises Communities Minister as long wait for funding nears an end

NIFL CEO says ‘door not closed’ on clubs who have not been taken forward at this stage

Northern Ireland Football League CEO Gerard Lawlor has praised Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for delivering what he said he would.

After 14 years Irish League club have edged ever closer to receiving much-needed stadium funding with projects from 20 clubs across the top three divisions in the football pyramid selected to progress in the Performance Programme of the NI Football Fund.

Glentoran and Cliftonville were the two successful clubs in Tier 3 for funding over £6m with Lawlor pleased to see the delivery of the funds edging ever closer.

“Fourteen years is a long time to wait for anything and I suppose while we don’t have the full exposure, there’s a chink of light today for the 20 clubs that is going forward,” he said.

“To see iconic spaces like Solitude, The Oval going as far as Dergview and Distillery, it gives the many volunteers that work very hard to keep those clubs going a chink of light to know that some of those clubs have a future.

“So look, I have to praise the Minister. He has delivered everything that he told me he would deliver. He’s always been very straight with us and we continue to try and work towards that.”

While some clubs are celebrating others have been left disappointed that their projects have not been taken forward at this time.

Coleraine, Derry City, Institute and Ards were just some to miss out but Lawlor is hopeful that the door is not closed on these clubs going forward.

“We always knew the Minister didn’t have a big enough pot of money, and I think he’s given enough sound bites hopefully and goodwill today to clubs to say look this is not the door closed,” he said.

“In my understanding, it comes down to the business cases and how many points they scored. So I think now is the opportunity for those clubs to go away to speak with the department, to speak to the people about their business cases, and look at maybe where they could improve those so that they’re eligible and they’re able to drive forward.

“I think those clubs, while they’ll be a wee bit disappointed, they need to dust themselves down. We’re here as an organisation to help. The Irish FA are here. The department’s here.

“And look at some of the cases of where they can score more points in the future.

“So look the door’s not closed. Today is a disappointing day for many clubs. There’s 18 clubs that are disappointed today. But I think the Minister’s been very clear the door’s not closed.

“Also what I will say is I suppose while he’s saying he’s taking forward 20 today there’s due diligence to be done on some of those clubs.

“There’s a deep dive. There’s nothing necessarily to say those 20 clubs are all going to get money. So unfortunately it’s a process that we just have to work our way through.”