Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Clubs: Give crowd ban the red card
Task force urges fans return to football stadiums
A PARTNERSHIP between a council and three Irish League clubs has called for fans to be allowed back to games.
Competitive outdoor sport resumed this month without spectators and with no more than 100 people participating.
Representatives of MEA United, a task force of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council with Ballymena United, Larne and Carrick Rangers, are now calling for fixtures to be reopened to supporters.
MEA United was formed to secure £25million from the Department for Communities for the development of stadia and recently launched its blueprint for the future of the sport.
Larne owner Kenny Bruce said: “There is real excitement among our fans about getting back and as a club we are hopeful the Executive will announce a date for that to happen sooner rather than later.
“Our clubs are at the heart of our communities and we have been consistent in adhering to the health and wellbeing of our players and staff throughout the pandemic.
“Football is about the fans, and we want them back to soak up the atmosphere as soon as we can.”
Councillor Matthew Armstrong, who is a TUV representative, added: “We will continue to champion the call for a date on which sporting clubs will be permitted to open their gates to their loyal fans.
“There is no better time to allow our clubs to do what they do best.”
DUP Councillor Gregg Mckeen also urged for a date to be set and said: “There is a real appetite for spectators to be welcomed back.”