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MORE POSITIVE NEWS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND

4 March 2011

Tuesday 15th February I arrived in Northern Ireland for a quick tour to see how things were developing and progressing since my last visit. First step was Newry City F.C. where I met life long fans Tom McKeown and Dorothy Barnes pictured below. 

I had a look around the stadium and noted the accessible areas for home and away fans were elevated and at the back of the stands which is good to see. I explained all about CAFE and the newly formed Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland and Tom was delighted to get involved representing Newry City F.C.

Next day first stop was Coleraine F.C. having been invited there in late 2010 by the Community Relations Officer John Cardwell. Pictured below, John is on the far right next to me, then Dessie Brown club secretary/general manager and Steven Crawford club media officer. 

I was made very welcome and the club are actively going to try and find someone for the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland. The Coleraine Times will help in this area publishing positive news on the forming of the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland. The club will also provide all the information required for CAFE's Stadia Reports Web Page. The club also plan to build a new stand in the not too distant future and welcomed the opportunity for CAFE and the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland to be involved in the development from the very start.

Then I moved on to visit local rivals Ballymena United F.C. Their stadium is owned by the Ballymena Borough and recent refurbishment has resulted in improved accessible areas for both home and away fans. Pictured below at the front is Stephen Heron who supports the team home and away. He was also keen to be involved in the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland which was great news. In the picture below: Mark Wilson Sports Facilities Manager at the Showgrounds working for the Ballymena Borough and to the right is Iain Black club Community Relations Officer. Iain plans to have all the information put together soon for his club's entry in CAFE's Stadia Reports Web Page.

I wanted to speak to Glenavon fan Tim Webb who unfortunately could not make the ISA meeting due to be held that night. Tim (pictured with me below) was able to meet me briefly at his home in Portadown and I discovered that he is also a Rangers F.C. season ticket holder travelling regularly from his home in Northern Ireland to Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. 

I was really keen to hear about his active involvement with Glenavon.F.C. Eddie Drury , club community relations office had heard about Tim's interest in photography and approached him to take on the task of taking action pictures at the home games. Tim showed me some shots of the recent Glenavon v Queen’s University fixture and after the games Tim sends the club his pics for use in their programmes and web site. Glenavon are to be congratulated on this initiative and as a spin off Tim is also keen to be involved in the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland.

The day finished with a productive meeting with some of the key players in the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland. Special thanks must go again to the I.F.A. for providing the meeting venue, buffet and drinks. Interim office bearers are now in place with the support of a strong committee back up team.

In the picture below, this time with yours truly missing for a change, from left to right we have Dundas Keating (interim chairman) , Stephen Heron, Allan Stevenson (interim secretary), Mark Cragg (interim vice chairman) , Tom McKeown and Aubrey Bingham (interim treasurer).

The last day started with hastily arranged visit to Donegal Celtic F.C. There I met Paul McGuire Health & Safety Officer for the club who was pleased to point out the work being carried out to allow away wheelchair users easier and shorter access from the car parking to the away stand. Another facility Paul was keen to point out was (as pictured below) that their control room is completely accessible as a lift was part of the original construction. Paul agreed to provide data required for his stadium’s entry on our web page.

Next call was Dungannon Swifts F.C. where the groundsman was out and about and able to show me around the stadium and in particular the accessible facilities. I also met Simon Graham club secretary whose printing business is located right next to the ground. Simon is one of these guys dedicated to their club working 24/7 and he promised to try and recruit someone for the Inclusive Supporters Association - Northern Ireland and provide stadia data for our web page.

Final stop was Glentoran F.C. There I met Community Relations Officer Russell Lever whom I had met before and who was aware that facilities for home wheelchair users needed to be improved. The club are in the middle of redeveloping the “Milk Bar” and the “Family Stand” and this work includes the addition of a disabled toilet in the “Milk Bar” and from the bar itself direct access to three new elevated, under cover wheelchair spaces in the “Family Stand”. Work is in progress however it is clear to see this facility is much improved when compared to the current wheelchair user area.

Keith Ferguson,

Western European Development Officer