As part of the Irish FA’s continuing implementation of Club Licensing policies, the Licensing Committee met on Monday 24 April 2017 to consider applications for the award of UEFA, /Premiership, Promotion and Championship licences for season 2017/18.
In line with the current UEFA, Premiership, Promotion and Championship Licensing Manuals, applicant clubs were assessed in five key areas, namely: Sporting, Infrastructure/Safety, Personnel & Administration, Legal and Financial.
Based on these entirely objective criteria licences were granted / refused to the following clubs:
UEFA CLUB LICENCES GRANTED:
Ballinamallard United FC (Shamrock Park, Portadown)
Ballymena United FC (Seaview, Belfast)
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC (Seaview, Belfast)
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Linfield FC
PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENCES GRANTED:
Ards FC (Bangor Fuels Arena, Bangor)
Ballinamallard United FC
Ballymena United FC
Carrick Rangers FC
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Linfield FC
Portadown FC
PROMOTION CLUB LICENCES GRANTED:
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Dergview FC (Ferney Park, Ballinamallard)
Institute FC
Larne FC (Taylor’s Avenue, Carrickfergus)
Warrenpoint Town FC
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB LICENCES GRANTED:
Annagh United FC
Armagh City FC
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Banbridge Town FC
Dergview FC
Donegal Celtic FC
H&W Welders FC
Institute FC
Knockbreda FC
Larne FC
Limavady United FC
Lisburn Distillery FC
Loughgall FC
Lurgan Celtic FC
Newry City AFC
PSNI FC
Warrenpoint Town FC
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB LICENCES REFUSED:
Dundela FC
Bangor FC*
Newington YC FC*
Tobermore United FC*
*No documentation submitted beyond initial application form.
Communication of these decisions has already been made to the clubs concerned.
Clubs who have been refused a licence have the right of appeal, in line with 3.2.7. of the Club Licensing manual(s) with any such appeals tentatively scheduled for 9 May 2017.
Club Licences are valid for one season only, namely 2017/18.
The Committee wishes to congratulate those clubs who have been granted a Club Licence and acknowledge the efforts of many key personnel at each club for the time and contributions they have made towards the successful application.
Licensing Committee Chairman Allen McKinstry said: “Club licensing is now an established part of the football landscape in Northern Ireland, continuing to act as a catalyst for positive change in providing a framework for clubs to develop both on and off the pitch.
“From awarding only an initial four licences in 2004 to a situation in 2017 where 43 licences have been awarded to allow clubs in Northern Ireland to be eligible (should they sportingly qualify) to play in UEFA Club competitions, Premiership and Championship leagues is very satisfying and testament to the growth and success of the licensing process.”
IFA Licensing and Facilities Manager, Leigh Sillery added: “As always I must pay tribute to the work that goes on behind the scenes at all of our clubs to ensure licensing applications are successful. As we reach the climax of another season and supporters, players and managers are quite rightly focused on what happens on the pitch, it is easy to overlook the work that has already gone on at clubs in preparation for next season.
“The long term importance of Northern Ireland football clubs within communities and to all of the various stakeholders means that they must be run sustainably. We continue to quietly work with clubs to strengthen financial discipline and are seeing a more rational use of club finances, improved management and administrative structures and the continued growth of youth development programmes. Things are certainly continuing to move in the right direction.”