Bradley ‘hopeful’ of support for Newry City FC after IFA meeting
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley has said that he is hopeful of support for Newry City Football Club after separate meetings this week with IFA officials and representatives of the club.
The club has faced an uncertain future since the winding up of management company Newry City Ltd and is being staffed by volunteers.
Speaking after the meetings, Bradley said the discussions centred on any potential rescue plans to secure the immediate future as well as the long term existence of all teams of the football club.
“The club’s position is extremely tenuous given the recent winding up of Newry City Ltd. IFA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson agreed to send a top level team to Newry to discuss with the management team and public representatives how best to move things forward in the future for the club.”
“Later, along with other public representatives including Mayor John McArdle we met with the management committee at Showgrounds to report on our meeting with the IFA.”
Bradley added, “The tenor of the meeting was positive with everyone willing to explore ways to find a solution in order to preserve a long established institution and important part of the fabric of the local community.”
SDLP South Down MLA Karen Mc Kevitt echoed the comments from her party colleague.
“Newry Town, as it was then known, has up to now stood the test of time faced with tough periods of economic and social hardship. Yet, through it all its beacon burned bright while failing to let the ills of our most recent past be visited upon it.”
“It has produced some fabulous footballers like Pat Jennings whilst well known members of our community have played with distinction – the Magee and Curtis families as well as players like Tommy Gray, Raymond Byrne and Robbie Casey to name but a few.”
She continued, “The good people of the club tasked with trying to rescue its fortunes and bring it forward into a new era deserve all support and assistance. Newry City Football Club possesses some of the best facilities and infrastructure in the Irish League.
“The ladies football team are going from strength to strength while the youth academy as well as being an important social outlet for the children of the district has developed into a first class structured training environment nurturing local talent and providing an opportunity for talented young local footballers to showcase their skills at a local and national level.”
“To this end, we wish to see the preservation of this important community service and feel it’s vitally important that all families and young children of our district have an identifiable outlet for the development of their skills and talent and the provision of social and sports interaction.”
McKevitt added, “All public representatives present have undertaken to work closely with the management committee of Newry City Football Club going forward in providing whatever support they can to help preserve the football club.
“They have agreed to take the issues discussed back to their colleagues at council and assembly respectively. Newry SDLP wants to see the survival of Newry City Football Club which will be of benefit to all within the area.”
Gerry Flynn: My story at Newry City FC
Is this the end for Newry City FC?
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=23235
Posted by Newry Times News
on Sep 28 2012. Filed under News, Sport.
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