30/05/2003

D-day for local football as Taskforce deadline arrives

The future of Northern Ireland football lies in the balance today as the deadline approaches for a response to the recent Northern Ireland Football Task Force plan.

Around £8 million has been promised to local football by the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure if the two main associations streamline into a smaller, more representative board.

At present local football is controlled by a 55-member ruling council. However, if the Taskforce plans are taken on board, this will be streamlined to a new 17-strong board.

The Irish Football Association (IFA) is to hold a special meeting of its AGM today to discuss the matter, where they must persuade sections of intermediate, junior and senior clubs to accept the new proposals - which would see officials of another association, the Irish League, lose many of their powers of influence.

This has led to disagreements between the IFA and Irish League officials who feel the IFA are more interested in a takeover rather than a merger.

Northern Ireland Football Task Force chairman Billy Hamilton warned earlier this week that failure to reach agreement at the AGM would see local soccer losing the £8m government funding.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 February 2022
£36m Local Football Development Programme Shelved
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said that she is unable to proceed with a £36 million funding package to upgrade and redevelop regional football stadia in Northern Ireland.
17 September 2010
Dairy Kicks-Off Women's Soccer Deal
There will be plenty of sporting dates in the 'Dairy' for a leading NI business with news of a continuing sponsorship between Dale Farm and the Irish Football Association (IFA). Dale Farm Dairies is continuing to support soccer in Northern Ireland in their third year of sponsorship, backing schoolgirls football throughout this season.
07 February 2003
Minister kicks-off £8m scheme for local football
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Angela Smith has confirmed that local football is to receive an £8m cash boost. The Minister confirmed the news after the Soccer Advisory Panel revealed it was satisfied that local football authorities had now signed up to the ‘Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland’ report.
23 May 2023
Govt Pledges Investment In Community Sport Across NI
Access to community sports facilities across Northern Ireland has been boosted with brand new investment from the UK government. Approximately £600,000 has been pledged in 28 multisport grassroots facilities, which will benefit from new pitches, goalposts, floodlights and changing rooms.
19 January 2022
Crusaders Football Club Announce Partnership With Belfast Met
Crusaders Football Club has announced a new partnership with Belfast Met to offer employment opportunities with the club and their partners which will give students vital work experience to learn new skills to prepare them for the world of work.