A sense of momentum with club’s redevelopment plans: Mr Benn MP

THE Shadow Secretary State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, believes there is so much potential at The Showgrounds to fulfil the club’s redevelopment plans…

Mr Benn was a special visitor to the Ballycastle Road yesterday afternoon and heard about the club’s ambitions, the need for better facilities and how the club has already spent a seven-figure sum at The Showgrounds.

The Labour Party politician highlighted the community aspect of the club’s 3G surface as a major positive as hundreds of children use the main playing pitch at The Showgrounds throughout the week.

He said: “This club has got great ambitions for this ground, for the community and the benefit it can bring.

“We’re standing on a great example of that, the new 3G pitch that went in.

“I’m told you come here any night of the week and there’s lots of children playing here.

“That’s bringing the community into the club. They couldn’t do that with the old grass pitch.

“The club has ambitious plans for the future and I wanted to come here to learn about them and wish them every success.

“This is a vision of a club where people come not just to enjoy the football but a heart of the community, and there’s so much potential here.”

Elected representatives were also present for Mr Benn’s visit yesterday and he hopes that the club can be successful in their bid ahead of the Bannsiders’ centenary in 2027.

“You can see the cross-party support they have,” he added.

“Gregory is the local MP, we have MLAs and local councilors here as well, so everyone is backing this plan and I really hope it succeeds with the funding the club is going after.

“The other thing which is really striking for me is what the club has done for itself.

“Obviously it paid for the new pitch and they are currently installing a new toilet block.

“I’m getting the sense there is momentum. The centenary of the club is in 2027 and what time that would be to realise the dream and build on what you can see here already.”