NI Football Fund decision criticised by north west MLAs as Derry City, Coleraine and Institute miss out

All three clubs based in the north west missed out on funding in Thursday’s announcement

While some clubs were celebrating following the announcement by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over their successful application to the NI Football Football Fund, there was a sense of disappointment and frustration from those who missed out.

The north west were the big losers in all this with Coleraine, Derry City and Institute all failing to progress with their projects.

Both the Bannsiders and the Candystripes had applied to redevelop their grounds while ‘Stute are looking for a new permanent home but all three clubs are now left in limbo following today’s announcement.

There is a real sense of anger in Derry and Coleraine with two local MLAs letting their feelings be known.

“There will be bitter disappointment in Derry and across the North West at the failure to award a single penny to Derry City Football Club from the Northern Ireland Football Fund,” said SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA.

“Institute FC, who are desperately hoping to secure a new home in our city, and Coleraine FC, also in need of funding, were excluded – while most of the money was awarded to clubs in the greater Belfast area. This will come as no surprise from a DUP-led department.

“There has been significant progress redeveloping the Brandywell in recent years, but we have been waiting nearly 15 years since the Sub Regional Stadia Programme was first announced, when we were assured Derry City would be one of its beneficiaries.

“While the funding was delayed by political dysfunction and collapse, the SDLP sought commitments that Derry City would be included and were told repeatedly by Sinn Féin Ministers this funding was ‘guaranteed’. To have the rug pulled out at the last moment is utterly unacceptable.

“To put it bluntly, this funding process has been an utter farce from start to finish. Several clubs have raised serious concerns about how applications were handled and how these decisions were made.

“I will be challenging Minister Lyons directly to explain this outcome and the SDLP will continue to fight to ensure that Derry City and other clubs benefit in future funding stages to build the facilities they deserve.”

DUP MLA Maurice Bradley, vented his frustration that his hometown club, Coleraine FC missed out on gaining any funding.

“DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons made his announcement this morning and sadly Coleraine did not progress,” said Bradley.

“To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. It just feels like all the hard work and lobbying for the area is going to waste.

“Once again the Coleraine area has missed out on Government funding – so much for regional balance. Very few clubs outside of the Belfast area have been successful. I just don’t know what more we can do.

“We have the Super Cup, the Foyle Cup is now spreading into Coleraine, we have 3,000 children attending the Harry Gregg Foundation every Saturday. We need a stadium and associated facilities that are fit for purpose.

“I will be asking for a meeting with Department officials to find out what criteria was not met. This is hugely disappointing.”