11 September 2025 

SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has slammed the decision to exclude Brandywell Stadium from the Northern Ireland Football Fund.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced the recipients of the first stage of funding on Thursday.

Mr Durkan queried the absence of clubs from the North West.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said:

“There will be bitter disappointment in Derry and across the North West at the failure to award a single penny to Derry City Football Club from the Northern Ireland Football Fund. Institute FC, who are desperately hoping to secure a new home in our city, and Coleraine FC, also in need of funding, were excluded - while most of the money was awarded to clubs in the greater Belfast area. This will come as no surprise from a DUP-led department.

“There has been significant progress redeveloping the Brandywell in recent years, but we have been waiting nearly 15 years since the Sub Regional Stadia Programme was first announced, when we were assured Derry City would be one of its beneficiaries. While the funding was delayed by political dysfunction and collapse, the SDLP sought commitments that Derry City would be included and were told repeatedly by Sinn Féin Ministers this funding was ‘guaranteed’. To have the rug pulled out at the last moment is utterly unacceptable.

“To put it bluntly, this funding process has been an utter farce from start to finish. Several clubs have raised serious concerns about how applications were handled and how these decisions were made. I will be challenging Minister Lyons directly to explain this outcome and the SDLP will continue to fight to ensure that Derry City and other clubs benefit in future funding stages to build the facilities they deserve.”