{"id":24941,"date":"2025-03-13T22:41:52","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T22:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/long-term-lease-proposal-for-brandywell-stadium\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T22:41:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T22:41:52","slug":"long-term-lease-proposal-for-brandywell-stadium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/long-term-lease-proposal-for-brandywell-stadium\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-term lease proposal for Brandywell Stadium"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The proposal relates to concerns over funding criteria in the Northern Ireland Football Fund relating to council-owned grounds, like the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium <\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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A proposal offering Derry City FC a long-term lease of their home ground so they can proceed with a multi-million pound bid for Stormont funding has been approved by councillors.<\/p>\n

The proposal to offer the club a minimum 25-year lease and move towards making them outright owners of the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium was agreed at a council committee on Thursday.<\/p>\n

According to the NI Football Fund criteria, if the council, who currently own the stadium, where to apply for a share of the \u00a336.2m pot, they would need to match 40% of total project costs.<\/p>\n

However, if Derry City were to enter into a long-term lease to eventually become stadium owners and apply, they would only need to match 5%. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Councillors heard that estimated costs of planned works at the stadium was in the region of \u00a311.8m<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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The proposal will now go before a meeting of full council at a later date. <\/p>\n

Councillors heard that the estimated overall cost of planned works at the stadium was in the region of \u00a311.8m.<\/p>\n

During Thursday’s meeting, councillors expressed concerns over the council’s ability to afford 40% match-funding due to budget constraints, which they said could negatively impact the completion of outstanding stadium projects, like the Mark Farren Stand in the Lone Moor Road ground.<\/p>\n

Work on a new stand at the Brandywell, which is named after former player Mark Farren, began in 2018 as part of a \u00a37m redevelopment.<\/p>\n

However, the second phase of that project has still not been built despite planning permission already being granted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Work on a new stand at the Brandywell, which is named after former player Mark Farren, began in 2018 as part of a \u00a37m redevelopment<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Reacting to the unanimous support for the proposal, Sinn F\u00e9in councillor Christopher Jackson said the fund would unleash the huge potential of Derry City FC.<\/p>\n

“The football club is a thriving hub at the heart of our community, and it deserves this long-overdue funding,” he added.<\/p>\n

“Creating a first-class experience for local football supporters and unleashing the huge potential of Derry City remains a priority for me and my party.<\/p>\n

“I am committed to working with the club to ensure it can continue to succeed, grow and flourish in our city.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What is the Northern Ireland Football Fund?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Northern Ireland Football Fund<\/a> dates back to 2011, when it was called the Sub-Regional Stadia Programme.<\/p>\n

The aim of the fund is to improve sporting facilities for players and fans. The fund is open to 41 clubs in total in the men’s and women’s game.<\/p>\n

They are all members of the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) or League of Ireland who play their home matches at a venue located in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

Applicants can apply for one of three categories of grants:<\/p>\n