'Imperative' that the Brandywell is included in Sub Regional Stadia Programme funding

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said the Sub-Regional Stadia Programme must include Derry City FC’s Brandywell Stadium.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons provided an update on the programme on Wednesday.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said:

“The Sub Regional Stadia Programme was first announced in 2011 and more than a decade on we are finally at the point where this funding will be allocated to football clubs across the North. While there were scant details in the Minister’s statement today, it was always anticipated that Derry City FC’s Brandywell Stadium would be part of the funding allocation and it’s vital that the Minister provides more details as soon as possible.

“Funding from this programme is key to financing work on the second phase of the Mark Farren Stand and during recent talks with Derry City they indicated that they were confident that their bid for funding would be successful and money would be forthcoming to see this important work carried out. The SDLP has been extremely vocal on the need for the Brandywell to receive a fair portion of this funding and have repeatedly received commitments to that effect at various points throughout this saga.

“The Brandywell is a hugely important sporting facility in this area and it’s imperative that Derry’s second city is recognised through this funding. It is not only Derry City that stand to benefit, with the stadium being council-owned and used by other groups and local teams including Institute FC. Our city deserves a stadium we can all be proud of and the SDLP will continue working to ensure that the Brandywell is included when the Minister makes further funding announcements in the coming months.”