The NI Football League can provide an update of rescheduled dates for supporters of Danske Bank Premiership fixtures.
Following the announcements of restrictions on elite sport communicated last week, clubs and supporters will already be aware that Round 12 (26 December 2020) and Round 13 (29 December 2020) of the Premiership have been postponed.
The NIFL Fixtures Sub-Committee today (Thursday) confirmed that fixtures in Round 14 (scheduled for Saturday 2 January 2021) will take place as planned, with fixtures from Round 12 now being played on Saturday 9 January 2021.
Updated Danske Bank Premiership fixtures
Saturday 2 January 2021 (Round 14 – remains as scheduled) Coleraine v Carrick Rangers Crusaders v Warrenpoint Town Dungannon Swifts v Cliftonville Glenavon v Linfield Glentoran v Portadown Larne v Ballymena United
Saturday 9 January 2021 (Round 12 – originally 26 December) Ballymena United v Coleraine Carrick Rangers v Larne Cliftonville v Crusaders Linfield v Glentoran Portadown v Glenavon Warrenpoint Town v Dungannon Swifts
Tuesday 19 January 2021 (from Round 13 – originally 29 December) Crusaders v Linfield Coleraine v Portadown Dungannon Swifts v Carrick Rangers Larne v Warrenpoint Town
Note: Glenavon v Ballymena United and Glentoran v Cliftonville (both originally 29 December) still remain unscheduled.
£450k support package from The National Lottery gives lifeline to all NI Football League clubs
The Irish FA is delighted to announce that all Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) clubs will each receive a share of £450k of financial support as part of a unique partnership with The National Lottery.
The partnership with The National Lottery will benefit all men’s and women’s clubs in the NI Football League. It will provide vital support as clubs are either forced to play without fans or not able to play football at all, owing to COVID-19 restrictions. As a thank you, National Lottery players, who make a difference every time they buy a ticket, will also get a range of benefits – including free tickets once stadia have fully reopened and VIP experiences with the Northern Ireland national side.
The clubs are important parts of their communities and the funding recognises their role beyond just a 3pm kick off on a Saturday afternoon. They provide a source of pride to their local areas and have been at the heart of their communities through the duration of the pandemic.
The funds will play a key role in ensuring that the clubs can continue to exist and operate during the pandemic. The money will be distributed by the Irish FA to clubs ensuring their continued survival.
Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive Officer for the Irish FA, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, football clubs are able to protect and enhance the crucial work they do serving their communities right across Northern Ireland. We’re delighted to play our role in this brilliant initiative.”
Andrew Johnston, Managing Director of the NI Football League, said, “This funding is a huge boost to our member clubs at a particularly desperate time. We would like to express our sincere thanks to The National Lottery for their support in safeguarding the immediate future of our clubs.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, said, “Men’s and women’s clubs in the NI Football League play a vital role in their local communities, and have been facing tough times recently because of coronavirus restrictions. We are extremely grateful to The National Lottery for this vital funding package, which will go a long way in helping these clubs keep going until fans are safely able to return to grounds and stadia.”
Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, said, “The National Lottery and its players make a massive difference to communities across the UK day in, day out – and have been doing so for the past 26 years. So we’re really delighted to be working with the Irish Football Association to support these incredibly important clubs in the Northern Ireland Football League, enabling them to continue playing such an important role in their local communities. I am a huge football fan and I think all fans will be delighted to know that their clubs are getting the support they need.”
The partnerships follows a similar initiative between the FA and National League in England, and the FAW and Cymru Leagues in Wales. Work continues on a partnership with the Scottish FA. The money for these initiatives is coming from a National Lottery promotional fund. It is not being funded by money allocated for National Lottery Good Causes or by Camelot.
Swifts Supporters can now follow the link below to purchase a ticket ahead of our home fixture against Cliftonville on Tuesday 10th November 2002. Tickets are available to purchase immediately. https://www.tickets.dungannonswiftsfc.com/ticket_centre
Dungannon Swifts U18 – NIFL League Champions 2019/20
Dungannon Swifts Under 18s were crowned Official League Champions on Thursday night after they received the trophy from NIFL representatives. Pictured are the squad along with Manager Terry Fitzpatrick, and coaches Dixie Robinson and Chris McCann. Captain Callum MacGreggor proudly holds the trophy.
Well done to Terry and his team of players and staff, fantastic achievement for all.
