Milk Cup Cash Plea Revealed

The famous Northern Ireland youth football tournament, the Milk Cup, which nurtured the likes of David Beckham (pictured) in the past, is facing a funding crisis.

After a controversial decision to change the venue of the competition's prestigious final match - from the established Coleraine Show Grounds to Ballymena last month - financial pressures are now taking their toll and organisers have warned politicians that financial pressures mean it may not survive to 2012.

A letter, circulated to a number of MPs and MLAs, stated: "The 30th anniversary of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup is due to take place in 2012, however, the way things stand at the present there is every possibility that if the present level of financial support remains the same that milestone will not be reached."

The Belfast Telegraph has reported that the £77,000 had been sought this year for the organisation of the tournament, plus £20,000 for an economic impact/sustainability report.

It said £40,000 has subsequently been offered for separate reports on economic impact and sustainability but nothing for organisational costs.

While there is no threat to this year's event, the letter said the option of withdrawing invitations to some teams would be under consideration to make the event "economically viable".

It continued: "This is a decision we are loathe to take since it would destroy the credibility we have built up with high profile soccer clubs throughout the world.

"Our confirmed entry for Milk Cup 2010 is 54 teams from 19 different countries."

The letter added: "This situation highlights the inadequacies of the strategy being used for events in Northern Ireland at present."

A spokesman for the Department of Enterprise, one of the departments that received the letter, said it would be "inappropriate" to comment publicly before replying directly to the correspondence, as leaked to the daily newspaper.

The prestigious youth football tournament – which will take place for its 28th consecutive year in July – is scheduled to end in the Co Antrim venue rather than its previous home of Coleraine.

Traditionally the finals of the three age groups – Premier, Junior and Elite – are held at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

However, the organisers have already said that the venue no longer meets the required health and safety standards and it's also thought there is concern at the lack of sufficient changing facilities.

The showpiece games are expected to be switched to the Ballymena Show-grounds - which are currently undergoing refurbishment.

See: Milk Cup Final Kicks Off In Ballymena

(BMcC/GK)