FIELDS OF GOLD
United strike it lucky with €5m stadium on 30-acre site
DROGHEDA UNITED is set to have a sparkling future after agreement was reached last week between the FAI and Louth County Council over a new state-of-the-art stadium project north of the town.
The stadium will be an initial 3,000 all seater complex – with the capacity to rise to 10,000.
The 30-acre site will also see several playing pitches developed for use as a municipal complex.
It is to be situated at Newtown, between the Siena Convent and the Termonfeckin Road, and will be part of the Northern Port Access Cross Route which is being developed in stages from the north road, resulting in quick access off the M1.
FAI chief executive John Delaney has praised the role of Louth county council chief executive Joan Martin in bringing the role to fruition.
‘Discussions have been going on for some time but this announcement means that it will happen. It is great news for Drogheda and their supporters and the community there,’ he told the Drogheda Independent.
‘We will be going up to Drogheda to look at the plans and then look at a timeframe. Everyone has shown great patience with this and credit to Joan [Martin] and the council for their support. Patience was the key because we knew the prize at the end of it. This has been a long time coming.’
Pre-planning discussions are expected to get under way in a matter of weeks.
A NEW 3,000 all-seater soccer stadium is to be built on lands in North Drogheda to include a number of municipal playing pitches for the community.
Drogheda United will be anchor tenants for the €5m stadium, which can be expanded to a 10,000 capacity in the future.
It is envisaged that the ground will also host underage international games.
The timeframe for the development has yet to be revealed but John Delaney, FAI CEO, confirmed to the Drogheda Independent that discussions will now commence with Louth County Council ‘in the coming weeks’ to get the ball rolling on pre-planning for the 30 acre development.
The site of the new centre of excellence will be on lands near Newtown and it will form part of the Port Access Route.
‘I would like to point out that all the finance that comes from the sale of United Park will be put into the new stadium,’ the CEO stated. They will also be seeking government funding as part of the project.
He praised the role of Louth County Council and Chief Executive Joan Martin for making the land available.
‘Discussions have been going on for some time but this announcement means that it will happen. It is great news for Drogheda and their supporters and the community there,’ he stated.
‘We will be going up to Drogheda to look at the plans and then look at a timeframe. Everyone has shown great patience with this and credit to Joan (Martin) and the council for their support. Patience was the key because we knew the prize at the end of it. This has been a long time coming.’
He said that the announcement was a ‘watershed’ moment for Louth and the League of Ireland.
The facility includes space for several full-size pitches and smaller artificial pitches, which will be accessible to the local community.
Drogheda United’s Under 19, U17, U15 & U13 players,will use the surrounding pitches for games in the SSE Airtricity League.
“To have a modern stadium in Drogheda that initially starts out with a capacity of 3,000 with scope to rise up to 10,000 seats is great news for Irish football. It means that Drogheda United will have a new home to be proud of and that the FAI will have another venue to stage underage international matches. Drogheda United have had a great history in Irish football and it’s time for them to make new memories in a stadium that is fit for purpose to cater for their loyal supporters, to attract new fans, and to serve the local community,’ Mr Delaney added.
“I’d like to thank Fiachra Kierans and all involved at Drogheda United, but I’m especially pleased for people like Chris Byrne and Vincent Hoey, following a life-time of support for the club, that his vision for a new stadium will be delivered.’
Joan Martin, CE of the local authority in the county said: “The Council is delighted that this new stadium project has been given the green light by the FAI, after a lot of hard work to transform an initial idea of Municipal Playing Pitches into something that can be realistically built.
“There is no doubt that this project would not have reached this stage without the guidance and persistence of FAI CEO John Delaney. Without John’s backing, we would never have moved any closer to
realising our dream of constructing a modern complex that will serve the community of Drogheda.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us to get the Municipal Playing Pitches and the Stadium, open to the public but it is an exciting time and we look forward to continuing this journey.”
Councillor Liam Reilly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, expressed his delight that the Council’s long-term ambition to develop Municipal Playing pitches in North Drogheda has now moved a step closer with this joint venture with the FAI.
“I’m looking forward to the development proceeding as quickly as possible to provide much needed community playing facilities for the people of Drogheda and surrounding areas.” he stated.
For Drogheda United club chairman Fiachra Kierans, it was also a very special day and moment in the history and future of the club.
He stated: “This is fantastic news for Drogheda United Football Club, the people of Drogheda, and the future of football in County Louth. We have to give tremendous credit to FAI CEO John Delaney for making this happen.
“The future of Drogheda United is very bright and we are excited to work with the FAI and Louth County Council to turn this new stadium into something that our supporters and the people of Drogheda can be proud of.
‘It is a major investment for the Drogheda area.”