As part of the Irish FA’s continuing implementation of Club Licensing policies, the Licensing Committee met on Tuesday 24 April 2018 to consider applications for the award of UEFA, Premiership, Promotion and Championship Licenses for season 2018/19.
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 (Mourneview Park, Lurgan)
Ballymena United FC (Seaview, Belfast)
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC (Seaview, Belfast)
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Linfield FC
PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENSES 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
Warrenpoint Town FC
PROMOTION CLUB LICENCES GRANTED:
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Institute FC (The Oval, Belfast)**
Larne FC (Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena, Carrickfergus)
Newry City AFC
Portadown FC
**Institute FC has provided a ground-share agreement for use of The Oval, Belfast for the duration of the 2018-19 season. However, the club continues to actively explore options to secure a ‘home’ venue (meeting the current Premiership ground criteria) in the North West of the province and continues to liaise with both the Irish Football Association and Northern Ireland Football League in this regard.
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB LICENSES GRANTED:
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Banbridge Town FC
Dergview FC
Dundela FC
H&W Welders FC
Institute FC
Knockbreda FC
Larne FC
Limavady United FC
Lisburn Distillery FC
Loughgall FC
Newry City AFC
Portadown FC
PSNI FC
QUB AFC
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB LICENSES REFUSED:
Armagh City FC*
Lurgan Celtic FC
Sport & Leisure Swifts 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 8 May 2018.
Club Licences are valid for one season only, namely 2018/19.
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 commented: "As we reach the conclusion of another football season with title deciders and promotion/ relegation battles still ongoing across the top three divisions in Northern Ireland, it is easy to overlook the fact that the 2018 licensing decisions mark the tenth year since the introduction of the original Domestic Licence in Northern Ireland.
"Of course, achievements such as strengthened financial discipline, a more rational use of club finances, improved management and administrative structures and the continued growth of youth development programmes do not capture the headlines quite like a last game title decider.
"However, it is important to recognise that on pitch success starts with the efforts of the many people working hard behind the scenes at our clubs and, as always, it is only right to recognise the work that they put into the licence applications that come before the Committee.”
