'Really happy' to 'shafted' - reaction to NI stadium funding

"It's a great day for some clubs but it's an absolutely shocking day for others."

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins was giving his reaction to Thursday's landmark announcement about the long-awaited stadia funding in Northern Ireland.

After a 14-year delay from when it was first announced, 20 clubs discovered they had progressed to the next stage of the Northern Ireland Football Fund to improve their facilities.

Those clubs, out of the 38 who applied, will progress to the next stage of assessment before funding is handed out.

While the £36.2 million of money announced in 2011 is guaranteed, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the 20 successful projects had a total estimated cost of "just over £82m", and "estimated total project costs" came to £98m.

It was acknowledged the process and announcement of funding would leave some clubs disappointed, while others celebrated.

From "delighted" to "shafted", BBC Sport has spoken to some of those clubs impacted by Thursday's announcement.

Coleraine were one of three Irish Premiership clubs to miss out on progression to the next stage of the funding process, along with Crusaders and Portadown.

League of Ireland side Derry City also missed out, while Institute and Limavady United were the other clubs from the north west of Northern Ireland not included in the list announced by Lyons on Thursday morning.

"Geographically, for me, the north west has been shafted again," Higgins said.

"You might say it is sour grapes because of my connection to Coleranie Football Club and Derry City, but I'll not talk about either - I'll talk about Institute.

"If there's one club that needed support it was them. For me, it's an absolute disgrace."

Higgins was referring to the loss of Institute's Riverside Stadium in 2017, after flash flooding left the Drumahoe stadium unusable with Japanese Knotweed.

Institute now play their home matches at Derry City's Brandywell Stadium and Drumahoe is now being demolished.

Higgins said Stute had been "dealt the worst hand out of everybody" and felt the process was unfair.

"In 2017 they lost their ground through no fault of their own. It's a brilliant football club run by brilliant people, and they've been absolutely trampled on from what I can see.

"They had a disaster eight years ago and they've been given no backing at all. That surprises me in one sense, but when you look geographically where they are based, it doesn't surprise me at all."

Speaking at the announcement of funding in Belfast on Thursday morning, before Higgins gave his reaction, Lyons said the location of clubs had not come under consideration.

"This hasn't been done in terms of geography, it has been done in terms of need and other criteria that we set out," Lyons said.

"Yes, you can look at the two big ones in Belfast but there are many others throughout Northern Ireland."

Institute chairman Bill Anderson said he was at the "depths of despair". Institute had put in for £14m to develop a new stadium and community hub at Cloney Park West, and Anderson said he was "devastated" for those connected with the club.

"It's hard to get your head around. I'm very disappointed and it will take a while to process," Anderson told BBC Radio Foyle, adding that the club will likely remain playing at the Brandywell for the foreseeable future.

"We will reflect on it. When we set out this vision we had the Waterside community in mind and we didn't believe we could deliver what Waterside is entitled to on less than £6m.

"That would have given us a pitch, a stand and some changing rooms, but now the vision we had for the greater Waterside community.

"I thought our footballing need and community need was really high, so I don't really understand the process."

From a Coleraine perspective, Higgins said not progressing to the next stage was a "setback" for the Bannsiders, who "could do with a bit of help as well".

"For me, there's a bit of anger and a bit of frustration," he added.

"In my opinion, and a lot of people would back me up, it's a part of the country that gets neglected."

Derry City released a statement saying the club "noted" the decision and "will take time to reflect and discuss our options going forward".

In contrast, Glentoran owner Ali Pour said he was "delighted" after being one of two clubs, along with Cliftonville, who were successful in their bid for the top tier of funding.

The Irish Premiership leaders applied for £28m towards the redevelopment of their Oval ground in east Belfast.

When the funding was initially launched in 2011, the Oval was earmarked for £10m towards redevelopment.

"We stated what was needed. I don't think we'll get the full amount as there's not enough funds available in this first phase, but I'm quite confident it will be enough to get things moving.

"Anything we get we'll make it work. We're grateful for anything, but once we have an idea of how much we can get then we will plan accordingly.

"We have everything ready to go. The day the funds arrive, we'll start the next day."

Pour said the club was in "desperate need" of a new stadium, which was highlighted by an issue ahead of Friday's derby at home to Linfield.

"Every day that goes past, things get worse and worse," he said.

"There's a big game on Friday night and I've just been told the generator isn't working for the floodlights so we'll have to rent a new set in.

"That's just one example of what isn't functioning inn this place.

"I love the historic aspect of this stadium, but it's time for a change.

"I know every club needs money and every club deserves money, and hopefully every club will get what they want."

Like Coleraine, Crusaders missed out on securing funding at Thursday's announcement and chairman Tommy Whiteside said that while he was "delighed" the league was getting long overdue funding, he was "disappointed" the club's Seaview ground was not included.

Whiteside felt that having 13 successful applications in tier two, for funding between £1.5m and £6m, compared to five in the lowest tier and two in the top tier, was at the detriment to clubs who show "ambition".

"We're disappointed with the abnormal awarding of 13 bids in tier two, to two in tier three and five in tier one.

"We think that has been detrimental to the performance clubs in the Premier League, who are more ambitious and have bigger projects."

Despite missing out on the first stage of the Northern Ireland Football Fund, Crusaders will still benefit from £2.2m from the Levelling Up fund from the UK government.

Whiteside said the club was going to ask for "an urgent meeting" with the Department of Communities about why Crusaders failed to progress.

"It's hard for us as a members' club. Most of our members are working class and aren't rich by any stretch.

"We don't have a millionaire owner who can stick the money in. Other clubs do and they've been awarded money.

"It's tough, a lot of work and resource goes into this. We need to keep fighting on to get where we want to go and I'm sure we will."

Carrick Ranegrs were another club who were successful with their application and manager Stephen Baxter said he was "thrilled."

The Taylors Avenue side applied for £5.8m to put down a new 3G pitch at the stadium and build a new stand and changing rooms.

"I'm thrilled for Peter (Clarke, chairman), whole board, and the supporters," said Baxter.

"It's disappointing it has taken such a long time to get to this stage, but credit where it is due.

"I've been in this game a long time as a player and a manager. To see the grounds develop and improve, and to see as many young people in all clubs across Northern Ireland, we desperately need these faculties to see these kids come through."

Clarke added it was "fantastic" for the club and the investment will help "provide the infrastructure we need to perform at the highest level in the Irish League".

"We've so many community projects. The community will really benefit from this investment," he added.