Warrenpoint Town now in Irish League Premiership.

[T Fearon]

Just hope they don't become victims of their own success. Cash will have to be splashed to sustain this, but inevitably their better young players will be snapped up by bigger clubs, and the cash they will bring in will be necessary for the club's survival but their loss will be detrimental to the club's on field performances.

[supersub]

It's amazing that 2 years ago when Warrenpoint Town were winning IFA Championship 2 and Newry City were being relegated that the majority of the players who secured the 'Point's promotion were languishing the Carnbane League.
Stevie Moan up until last year was captain of Newry Celtic. Two years ago Rambo was playing up front for the Bessbrook Utd team which reached the Junior Cup final whilst younger brother Dingo was up front for Cleary Celtic. Kenny Kearns was also part of the Bessbrook Utd side that reached that Junior Cup final. Mark Hughes was playing for Crieve Rovers and Stephen "Giggsy" McCabe was lining out for Windmill Stars. Only for Newry's relegation and subsequent reliance on local players they might never have got a chance at this level. With Newry's demise Barry Gray wasted no time in getting these lads. Fair play to all of them, junior to senior football in two years is a great achievement.

All very true, good to see these guys getting a chance at the higher level having proved themselves on the way up.

Boyle and Cowan both back playing GAA for the point too now just to note, along with Gary Boyle who is also in the squad.

Where were those fellas last Thursday night when their club needed them against an average Mayobridge side when they lost by 7pts? Surely the Point GAA club arent too happy with that. And what of the other GAA clubs that these fellas play for, Bosco, Annaclone, Rostrevor etc.

Some absurd comments on this topic by ill informed people. Firstly those two lads who are the centre of defence for the Point team probably opted out of this game the evening before the second leg and just 48 hours after the first leg - makes sense, one game won't make much difference. Having said that Shaun Parr played for Rostrevor Wed night against Loughinisland the night after the first leg - a bit of a non runner of an argument I'm afraid.

Do Warrenpoint meet the IFA stadium standards? Whatever they are and if not will the DC still be playing Premiership football next year?

As been said before no the ground doesn't meet the standards and at the moment will be playing at Stangmore Park in Dungannon for home games, not ideal but something which had to be negotiated and sorted pretty quickly. DC will be firmly stuck in Championship 1 next season.

Probably no preference,but soccer pays and on the eve of a second leg promotion play off,even if Warrenpoint Town permitted it,they're hardly going to opt for a GAA club game.

MR2 Warrenpoint Town's ground doesnt meet standards so they will have to play home games at a venue that does.Newry show grounds 7 miles up the road is ideal but for a reason that has yet to be clearly explained,this venue isn't available.

Yes heard that Newry isn't available, reasons? And by playing in the league below surely if you have ambitions of getting into the premiership then you need to be ready for it, if not why bother?

Another ill informed comment. The club in no way would have though Premiership football would have come round so soon. As has been said the fact we managed to get a good few Newry players propelled the club from sustaining their place in Champ 1 last season to promotion candidates this season. It was neither financially or logistically viable for the ground to be up to required standards for the IPL next season.

What money? Average gate as someone posted was 53;-)

So they would rather pay their players than develop the club and the infrastructure around it for the next generation of kids coming through the club. This is what is wrong local soccer, well one of the main things anyway, everyone standing with their hand out with next to no loyalty to the club paying them.

Where does one start with this. 4 years ago the club was in Mid Ulster Intermediate A league and similarly the youth teams were in the same regional Mid Ulster leagues for their levels. The club has worked tirelessly over the last number of years developing the coaches for underages with UEFA and FIFA qualifications, developing a small ground with basic 'pub team' facilities, to somewhere with a full 3G training pitch, perimeter fenced off playing field, a covered seated stand, catering for match days for officials and supporters, tannoy system, a new permanent club house with changing faciltites, storage, small bar and social area - all of this costs a lot of money, and given that the club is indeed Amateur, a lot of effort and funding is required to complete all of this. The first team is now in the Irish Premier Division and all the youth teams are playing very competitively in the NI National youth leagues - how is all of that for developing the 'infrastructure' of the club over such a short time?

Plans are already in place for developing the ground further up to Irish League standard, however funding and sponsorship is still being sourced. Yes Mr Gray has been very generous with the sponsorship and the work he has done for the club is far beyond the call of duty, however he can only give so much of his companies money for sponsorship, there will be other people/companies needed to come onboard for future developments. In addition to this Barry Gray does not 'own' the club, there are a group of decision makers within the club who have vast experience in different areas of business who all pull together for the good of the club, there are some very unsung heroes within the set up without who this development would not be possible.

As for paying players - the players get a mere weekly expense which only started this season, which would just about cover their costs of getting to training/games 3 times a week, there is no 'salary' as such as the club cannot afford this sort of expenditure. So I hope you can see that from Warrenpoint's example there is not much wrong with local soccer, we should be proud of what we have achieved and how we have gone about it. The constant development and strive for success in the club is down to everyone involved from the coaches of underage to the board of directors and trustees which I have mentioned. A soundly run club with hopefully a bright future - I think the infrastructure is coming along nicely thanks!

Ps Unlike a lot of other Amateur and not so Amateur groups the club does not owe a huge amount to gov or councils. Rates reliefs are available for the club because of the status and money owed is controllable and a small amount overall and being paid off accordingly.

[snoopdog]

Firstly well done to Warrenpoint. But how good do facilities have to be for the irish league? If point get 50/60 fans now say that increases to 200 for pl games, apart from Linfield how many away fans can they expect. Most GAA club matches in lower divisions cope with that with grass slopes. Yes segregation is unfortunately needed for football, but Warrenpoint could have to spend a fortune then maybe get relegated the next year, then they have no call for an up to standard ground.
How much would they need to spend , do they need toilets and a bit of wire fencing?

[The Diarrhoa Divil]

It's amazing that 2 years ago when Warrenpoint Town were winning IFA Championship 2 and Newry City were being relegated that the majority of the players who secured the 'Point's promotion were languishing the Carnbane League.
Stevie Moan up until last year was captain of Newry Celtic. Two years ago Rambo was playing up front for the Bessbrook Utd team which reached the Junior Cup final whilst younger brother Dingo was up front for Cleary Celtic. Kenny Kearns was also part of the Bessbrook Utd side that reached that Junior Cup final. Mark Hughes was playing for Crieve Rovers and Stephen "Giggsy" McCabe was lining out for Windmill Stars. Only for Newry's relegation and subsequent reliance on local players they might never have got a chance at this level. With Newry's demise Barry Gray wasted no time in getting these lads. Fair play to all of them, junior to senior football in two years is a great achievement.

All very true, good to see these guys getting a chance at the higher level having proved themselves on the way up.

Boyle and Cowan both back playing GAA for the point too now just to note, along with Gary Boyle who is also in the squad.

Where were those fellas last Thursday night when their club needed them against an average Mayobridge side when they lost by 7pts? Surely the Point GAA club arent too happy with that. And what of the other GAA clubs that these fellas play for, Bosco, Annaclone, Rostrevor etc.

Some absurd comments on this topic by ill informed people. Firstly those two lads who are the centre of defence for the Point team probably opted out of this game the evening before the second leg and just 48 hours after the first leg - makes sense, one game won't make much difference. Having said that Shaun Parr played for Rostrevor Wed night against Loughinisland the night after the first leg - a bit of a non runner of an argument I'm afraid.

Do Warrenpoint meet the IFA stadium standards? Whatever they are and if not will the DC still be playing Premiership football next year?

As been said before no the ground doesn't meet the standards and at the moment will be playing at Stangmore Park in Dungannon for home games, not ideal but something which had to be negotiated and sorted pretty quickly. DC will be firmly stuck in Championship 1 next season.

Probably no preference,but soccer pays and on the eve of a second leg promotion play off,even if Warrenpoint Town permitted it,they're hardly going to opt for a GAA club game.

MR2 Warrenpoint Town's ground doesnt meet standards so they will have to play home games at a venue that does.Newry show grounds 7 miles up the road is ideal but for a reason that has yet to be clearly explained,this venue isn't available.

Yes heard that Newry isn't available, reasons? And by playing in the league below surely if you have ambitions of getting into the premiership then you need to be ready for it, if not why bother?

Another ill informed comment. The club in no way would have though Premiership football would have come round so soon. As has been said the fact we managed to get a good few Newry players propelled the club from sustaining their place in Champ 1 last season to promotion candidates this season. It was neither financially or logistically viable for the ground to be up to required standards for the IPL next season.

What money? Average gate as someone posted was 53;-)

So they would rather pay their players than develop the club and the infrastructure around it for the next generation of kids coming through the club. This is what is wrong local soccer, well one of the main things anyway, everyone standing with their hand out with next to no loyalty to the club paying them.

Where does one start with this. 4 years ago the club was in Mid Ulster Intermediate A league and similarly the youth teams were in the same regional Mid Ulster leagues for their levels. The club has worked tirelessly over the last number of years developing the coaches for underages with UEFA and FIFA qualifications, developing a small ground with basic 'pub team' facilities, to somewhere with a full 3G training pitch, perimeter fenced off playing field, a covered seated stand, catering for match days for officials and supporters, tannoy system, a new permanent club house with changing faciltites, storage, small bar and social area - all of this costs a lot of money, and given that the club is indeed Amateur, a lot of effort and funding is required to complete all of this. The first team is now in the Irish Premier Division and all the youth teams are playing very competitively in the NI National youth leagues - how is all of that for developing the 'infrastructure' of the club over such a short time?

Plans are already in place for developing the ground further up to Irish League standard, however funding and sponsorship is still being sourced. Yes Mr Gray has been very generous with the sponsorship and the work he has done for the club is far beyond the call of duty, however he can only give so much of his companies money for sponsorship, there will be other people/companies needed to come onboard for future developments. In addition to this Barry Gray does not 'own' the club, there are a group of decision makers within the club who have vast experience in different areas of business who all pull together for the good of the club, there are some very unsung heroes within the set up without who this development would not be possible.

As for paying players - the players get a mere weekly expense which only started this season, which would just about cover their costs of getting to training/games 3 times a week, there is no 'salary' as such as the club cannot afford this sort of expenditure. So I hope you can see that from Warrenpoint's example there is not much wrong with local soccer, we should be proud of what we have achieved and how we have gone about it. The constant development and strive for success in the club is down to everyone involved from the coaches of underage to the board of directors and trustees which I have mentioned. A soundly run club with hopefully a bright future - I think the infrastructure is coming along nicely thanks!

Ps Unlike a lot of other Amateur and not so Amateur groups the club does not owe a huge amount to gov or councils. Rates reliefs are available for the club because of the status and money owed is controllable and a small amount overall and being paid off accordingly.

So how is this huge success going to affect the GAA clubs id mentioned.
How will the players you mentioned play both codes next year assuming that they are so central to their club teams.
For a Rostrevor man you seem to be so very 'well informed'. Its good that you're able to enlighten us ill-informed.
I look forward to the Warrenpoint Soccer Club contributing to the local community in Warrenpoint and the people that they represent for years to come. Would be nice to see all these homegrown first team players going back to grassroots and into the local schools in the town they all attended themselves and give something back.

[NAG1]

It's amazing that 2 years ago when Warrenpoint Town were winning IFA Championship 2 and Newry City were being relegated that the majority of the players who secured the 'Point's promotion were languishing the Carnbane League.
Stevie Moan up until last year was captain of Newry Celtic. Two years ago Rambo was playing up front for the Bessbrook Utd team which reached the Junior Cup final whilst younger brother Dingo was up front for Cleary Celtic. Kenny Kearns was also part of the Bessbrook Utd side that reached that Junior Cup final. Mark Hughes was playing for Crieve Rovers and Stephen "Giggsy" McCabe was lining out for Windmill Stars. Only for Newry's relegation and subsequent reliance on local players they might never have got a chance at this level. With Newry's demise Barry Gray wasted no time in getting these lads. Fair play to all of them, junior to senior football in two years is a great achievement.

All very true, good to see these guys getting a chance at the higher level having proved themselves on the way up.

Boyle and Cowan both back playing GAA for the point too now just to note, along with Gary Boyle who is also in the squad.

Where were those fellas last Thursday night when their club needed them against an average Mayobridge side when they lost by 7pts? Surely the Point GAA club arent too happy with that. And what of the other GAA clubs that these fellas play for, Bosco, Annaclone, Rostrevor etc.

Some absurd comments on this topic by ill informed people. Firstly those two lads who are the centre of defence for the Point team probably opted out of this game the evening before the second leg and just 48 hours after the first leg - makes sense, one game won't make much difference. Having said that Shaun Parr played for Rostrevor Wed night against Loughinisland the night after the first leg - a bit of a non runner of an argument I'm afraid.

Do Warrenpoint meet the IFA stadium standards? Whatever they are and if not will the DC still be playing Premiership football next year?

As been said before no the ground doesn't meet the standards and at the moment will be playing at Stangmore Park in Dungannon for home games, not ideal but something which had to be negotiated and sorted pretty quickly. DC will be firmly stuck in Championship 1 next season.

Probably no preference,but soccer pays and on the eve of a second leg promotion play off,even if Warrenpoint Town permitted it,they're hardly going to opt for a GAA club game.

MR2 Warrenpoint Town's ground doesnt meet standards so they will have to play home games at a venue that does.Newry show grounds 7 miles up the road is ideal but for a reason that has yet to be clearly explained,this venue isn't available.

Yes heard that Newry isn't available, reasons? And by playing in the league below surely if you have ambitions of getting into the premiership then you need to be ready for it, if not why bother?

Another ill informed comment. The club in no way would have though Premiership football would have come round so soon. As has been said the fact we managed to get a good few Newry players propelled the club from sustaining their place in Champ 1 last season to promotion candidates this season. It was neither financially or logistically viable for the ground to be up to required standards for the IPL next season.

What money? Average gate as someone posted was 53;-)

So they would rather pay their players than develop the club and the infrastructure around it for the next generation of kids coming through the club. This is what is wrong local soccer, well one of the main things anyway, everyone standing with their hand out with next to no loyalty to the club paying them.

Where does one start with this. 4 years ago the club was in Mid Ulster Intermediate A league and similarly the youth teams were in the same regional Mid Ulster leagues for their levels. The club has worked tirelessly over the last number of years developing the coaches for underages with UEFA and FIFA qualifications, developing a small ground with basic 'pub team' facilities, to somewhere with a full 3G training pitch, perimeter fenced off playing field, a covered seated stand, catering for match days for officials and supporters, tannoy system, a new permanent club house with changing faciltites, storage, small bar and social area - all of this costs a lot of money, and given that the club is indeed Amateur, a lot of effort and funding is required to complete all of this. The first team is now in the Irish Premier Division and all the youth teams are playing very competitively in the NI National youth leagues - how is all of that for developing the 'infrastructure' of the club over such a short time?

Plans are already in place for developing the ground further up to Irish League standard, however funding and sponsorship is still being sourced. Yes Mr Gray has been very generous with the sponsorship and the work he has done for the club is far beyond the call of duty, however he can only give so much of his companies money for sponsorship, there will be other people/companies needed to come onboard for future developments. In addition to this Barry Gray does not 'own' the club, there are a group of decision makers within the club who have vast experience in different areas of business who all pull together for the good of the club, there are some very unsung heroes within the set up without who this development would not be possible.

As for paying players - the players get a mere weekly expense which only started this season, which would just about cover their costs of getting to training/games 3 times a week, there is no 'salary' as such as the club cannot afford this sort of expenditure. So I hope you can see that from Warrenpoint's example there is not much wrong with local soccer, we should be proud of what we have achieved and how we have gone about it. The constant development and strive for success in the club is down to everyone involved from the coaches of underage to the board of directors and trustees which I have mentioned. A soundly run club with hopefully a bright future - I think the infrastructure is coming along nicely thanks!

Ps Unlike a lot of other Amateur and not so Amateur groups the club does not owe a huge amount to gov or councils. Rates reliefs are available for the club because of the status and money owed is controllable and a small amount overall and being paid off accordingly.

So how is this huge success going to affect the GAA clubs id mentioned.
How will the players you mentioned play both codes next year assuming that they are so central to their club teams.
For a Rostrevor man you seem to be so very 'well informed'. Its good that you're able to enlighten us ill-informed.
I look forward to the Warrenpoint Soccer Club contributing to the local community in Warrenpoint and the people that they represent for years to come. Would be nice to see all these homegrown first team players going back to grassroots and into the local schools in the town they all attended themselves and give something back.

They will do when they are paid to do so

[The Diarrhoa Divil]

Surely not.

[supersub]

It's amazing that 2 years ago when Warrenpoint Town were winning IFA Championship 2 and Newry City were being relegated that the majority of the players who secured the 'Point's promotion were languishing the Carnbane League.
Stevie Moan up until last year was captain of Newry Celtic. Two years ago Rambo was playing up front for the Bessbrook Utd team which reached the Junior Cup final whilst younger brother Dingo was up front for Cleary Celtic. Kenny Kearns was also part of the Bessbrook Utd side that reached that Junior Cup final. Mark Hughes was playing for Crieve Rovers and Stephen "Giggsy" McCabe was lining out for Windmill Stars. Only for Newry's relegation and subsequent reliance on local players they might never have got a chance at this level. With Newry's demise Barry Gray wasted no time in getting these lads. Fair play to all of them, junior to senior football in two years is a great achievement.

All very true, good to see these guys getting a chance at the higher level having proved themselves on the way up.

Boyle and Cowan both back playing GAA for the point too now just to note, along with Gary Boyle who is also in the squad.

Where were those fellas last Thursday night when their club needed them against an average Mayobridge side when they lost by 7pts? Surely the Point GAA club arent too happy with that. And what of the other GAA clubs that these fellas play for, Bosco, Annaclone, Rostrevor etc.

Some absurd comments on this topic by ill informed people. Firstly those two lads who are the centre of defence for the Point team probably opted out of this game the evening before the second leg and just 48 hours after the first leg - makes sense, one game won't make much difference. Having said that Shaun Parr played for Rostrevor Wed night against Loughinisland the night after the first leg - a bit of a non runner of an argument I'm afraid.

Do Warrenpoint meet the IFA stadium standards? Whatever they are and if not will the DC still be playing Premiership football next year?

As been said before no the ground doesn't meet the standards and at the moment will be playing at Stangmore Park in Dungannon for home games, not ideal but something which had to be negotiated and sorted pretty quickly. DC will be firmly stuck in Championship 1 next season.

Probably no preference,but soccer pays and on the eve of a second leg promotion play off,even if Warrenpoint Town permitted it,they're hardly going to opt for a GAA club game.

MR2 Warrenpoint Town's ground doesnt meet standards so they will have to play home games at a venue that does.Newry show grounds 7 miles up the road is ideal but for a reason that has yet to be clearly explained,this venue isn't available.

Yes heard that Newry isn't available, reasons? And by playing in the league below surely if you have ambitions of getting into the premiership then you need to be ready for it, if not why bother?

Another ill informed comment. The club in no way would have though Premiership football would have come round so soon. As has been said the fact we managed to get a good few Newry players propelled the club from sustaining their place in Champ 1 last season to promotion candidates this season. It was neither financially or logistically viable for the ground to be up to required standards for the IPL next season.

What money? Average gate as someone posted was 53;-)

So they would rather pay their players than develop the club and the infrastructure around it for the next generation of kids coming through the club. This is what is wrong local soccer, well one of the main things anyway, everyone standing with their hand out with next to no loyalty to the club paying them.

Where does one start with this. 4 years ago the club was in Mid Ulster Intermediate A league and similarly the youth teams were in the same regional Mid Ulster leagues for their levels. The club has worked tirelessly over the last number of years developing the coaches for underages with UEFA and FIFA qualifications, developing a small ground with basic 'pub team' facilities, to somewhere with a full 3G training pitch, perimeter fenced off playing field, a covered seated stand, catering for match days for officials and supporters, tannoy system, a new permanent club house with changing faciltites, storage, small bar and social area - all of this costs a lot of money, and given that the club is indeed Amateur, a lot of effort and funding is required to complete all of this. The first team is now in the Irish Premier Division and all the youth teams are playing very competitively in the NI National youth leagues - how is all of that for developing the 'infrastructure' of the club over such a short time?

Plans are already in place for developing the ground further up to Irish League standard, however funding and sponsorship is still being sourced. Yes Mr Gray has been very generous with the sponsorship and the work he has done for the club is far beyond the call of duty, however he can only give so much of his companies money for sponsorship, there will be other people/companies needed to come onboard for future developments. In addition to this Barry Gray does not 'own' the club, there are a group of decision makers within the club who have vast experience in different areas of business who all pull together for the good of the club, there are some very unsung heroes within the set up without who this development would not be possible.

As for paying players - the players get a mere weekly expense which only started this season, which would just about cover their costs of getting to training/games 3 times a week, there is no 'salary' as such as the club cannot afford this sort of expenditure. So I hope you can see that from Warrenpoint's example there is not much wrong with local soccer, we should be proud of what we have achieved and how we have gone about it. The constant development and strive for success in the club is down to everyone involved from the coaches of underage to the board of directors and trustees which I have mentioned. A soundly run club with hopefully a bright future - I think the infrastructure is coming along nicely thanks!

Ps Unlike a lot of other Amateur and not so Amateur groups the club does not owe a huge amount to gov or councils. Rates reliefs are available for the club because of the status and money owed is controllable and a small amount overall and being paid off accordingly.

So how is this huge success going to affect the GAA clubs id mentioned.
How will the players you mentioned play both codes next year assuming that they are so central to their club teams.
For a Rostrevor man you seem to be so very 'well informed'. Its good that you're able to enlighten us ill-informed.
I look forward to the Warrenpoint Soccer Club contributing to the local community in Warrenpoint and the people that they represent for years to come. Would be nice to see all these homegrown first team players going back to grassroots and into the local schools in the town they all attended themselves and give something back.

Firstly what has where I'm from got to do with anything or how informed I am? Simply setting a few things straight as there were a few rather rash statements from people who obviously don't know the full details of what they are talking about. I agree it is good that others can be informed about it because if it is talked about on here no doubt it is talked in the same manner out on the street, so good to get the proper facts out there.

As for playing both codes I'm not sure how it will affect all of them but my immediate thoughts are of Shaun Parr and how he is Rostrevor's best player and can't see much changing with that, I would nearly say that if he was told to cut down on the GAA he would probably give up the soccer! But all remains to be seen. Boyle and Cowan left the GAA due to a disagreement and are now back with the change of management, I can say no more than that for them.

As for the players giving back and the club providing for the community, I don't know where this is coming from and seems to be a cheap dig. Warrenpoint Town FC has provided Premiership football to the town and has grassroots schemes in place for a number of years, provide coaching/football from children as young as under 8s right up to u17, Reserve and Senior sides, what more can a club give back to the community? Not quite sure what you are getting at here. In terms of players going back to shcools etc, you do realise that all of these players have fulltime jobs and then training and play for the club too? When do you propose they go into these schools? Take and hour or two off work or what? As it is a number of boys in particular Rambo struggle to get to their own training on all of the allocated nights because of time of work shifts etc, football is not a fulltime job, football is their hobby and they are giving enough commitment to the club and community at this time.

[ranch]

Still think that something could be agreed by Newry.Rates shouldnt be an issue,can't see how this can be linked with the status of teams playing there,and the odd clash could be resolved by agreement of all four teams involved to reschedule.

Apart from inconvenience of travelling to Dungannon,Warrenpoint Town playing home games in Newry can only benefit Newry City FC and the City in general as money will come into both club and city at every fixture.

So you were just speculating all along then?

[Milltown Row2]

Still think that something could be agreed by Newry.Rates shouldnt be an issue,can't see how this can be linked with the status of teams playing there,and the odd clash could be resolved by agreement of all four teams involved to reschedule.

Apart from inconvenience of travelling to Dungannon,Warrenpoint Town playing home games in Newry can only benefit Newry City FC and the City in general as money will come into both club and city at every fixture.

So you were just speculating all along then?

Never!!! Tony is a well informed person, he knows the quickest routes form Central station and everything 

[ranch]

So how is this huge success going to affect the GAA clubs id mentioned.

What's your solution then? Outlaw soccer for GAA players?

How will the players you mentioned play both codes next year assuming that they are so central to their club teams.

Maybe some of them might stop playing GAA? Two of the lads played for my own club up 'til this season but haven't featured yet this year. Understandable surely considering the huge prize they were playing for?

[ranch]

MR2 Warrenpoint Town's ground doesnt meet standards so they will have to play home games at a venue that does.Newry show grounds 7 miles up the road is ideal but for a reason that has yet to be clearly explained,this venue isn't available.

Newry statement on their decision not to groundshare with Warrenpoint Town;

"The Newry City AFC Management Committee have released the following statement regarding their recent decision not to ground-share with Warrenpoint Town FC for the 2013/2014 season:

The management committee of Newry City Athletic Football Club wishes to take this opportunity to respond to recent unfair and uninformed criticism over its decision not to share Newry Showgrounds with Warrenpoint Town in the forthcoming football season.

Newry City AFC has an excellent working relationship with Warrenpoint Town. In the season just finished the Newry management committee was happy to agree to a request from Warrenpoint to use the Showgrounds to play an outstanding Mid Ulster Cup match under lights. Within twenty four hours of Warrenpoint winning promotion, Newry sent a letter congratulating Warrenpoint on their promotion to the Danske Bank Premiership where we hope they do very well next season.

After a traumatic period, Newry City is in the process of rebuilding and we look forward to playing Warrenpoint Town in Premiership football one day.

Unfortunately, however, Newry are not currently in a position to ground share with Warrenpoint Town, or for that matter, with anyone else. The reasons are as follows:

• The playing surface at The Showgrounds would not stand up to the extra traffic in the Winter months that would occur as a result of groundsharing;

• In order to host Premiership football a licence is required. Newry Showgrounds does not have this licence because Newry City will now be playing intermediate football. The cost of acquiring such a licence runs to thousands of pounds;

• Newry Showgrounds is currently rated as an amateur ground. If it were to be rated for professional football this would increase Newry City's rates bill by approximately 400%;

• The Showgrounds' insurance premium would increase by approximately 100% if professional football were to be played there; and

• if groundsharing were to take place, there could also be potential difficulties around the scheduling of matches.

Yours in Sport

Newry City Athletic Football Club"

http://www.newrycityafc.co.uk/?p=822

No doubt that won't be good enough for T Fearon! 

[thewobbler]

It's not good enough for me Ranch.

The playing surface at The Showgrounds would not stand up to the extra traffic in the Winter months that would occur as a result of groundsharing;
This is somewhat vain. The pitch would undoubtedly suffer a little, and if a harsh winter, even a lot. But hosting 50-60 games a year should not, in normal circumstances, prove too big a strain for a pitch in Ireland, the grass-growing capital of the world. Carnbane League pitches, which get minimal groundskeeping, support easily twice as many games a season.

Plus, if Newry look at this as part of a bigger picture, getting council/lotto funding for a full 4G pitch will be a lot easier with a groundshare between two related communities.


• In order to host Premiership football a licence is required. Newry Showgrounds does not have this licence because Newry City will now be playing intermediate football. The cost of acquiring such a licence runs to thousands of pounds;

• Newry Showgrounds is currently rated as an amateur ground. If it were to be rated for professional football this would increase Newry City's rates bill by approximately 400%;

• The Showgrounds' insurance premium would increase by approximately 100% if professional football were to be played there; and


So in total, maybe £15-30k extra, all of which would (in any sensible arrangement) be covered by Warrenpoint as part of the tenancy agreement.  Warrenpoint wouldn't be long recouping the outlay through a) travel cost savings, b) increased spectators through the gate, and c) increased advertising revenues from local businesses.


if groundsharing were to take place, there could also be potential difficulties around the scheduling of matches.

Across the water, the Madejski Stadium, DW Stadium, Liberty Stadium, and KC Stadium not only prove that where there's a will there's a way, but that this will can extend across competing sports, and can also bridge the need for fields to be marked for different sports on the one weekend. Potential doesn't create difficulties. People create difficulties, and if a sport as cash-strapped as senior football in NI cannot find a way to facilitate fixtures for groundsharing clubs, then it truly is doomed.


- - - -

Where there's a will there's a way.

The will isn't there.

[T Fearon]

Agreed.Any additional costs would be borne by Warrenpoint as tenants.FFS let both clubs get together and do a deal with Newry and Mourne Council.The income brought into Newry City (ie not just the football club) by both home and away supporters,every second Saturday,should be enough to convince the Council to deal.

Newry City don't want to see Warrenpoint Town become an established premiership club because that would hinder their own ambitions.That's the long and short of it.

[east down gael]

Is that such a bad thing though?seems reasonable enough to me.why would they help get warren point established as a premiership side when that is their own ambition,and there is realistically only room for one large club in the region.i might be being naive,but surely the directors of newry fc have an obligation to look out for the best interests of their own club.

[T Fearon]

Nothing wrong with it.But the lies and spin about why they allegedly can't allow Warrenpoint to use the Showgrounds simply shows their pettiness.

Newry City are probably a good five years at least away from the Irish Premiership,maybe even more if Warrenpoint consolidate,and by that time Warrenpoint will have ,ong since sorted their own home ground