'Something that really has to kick on': LOI Director on Finn Harps stadium move

As Finn Harps prepare to submit a fresh application for planning permission for their long-awaited new stadium, the League of Ireland Director has said the project must “kick on”.

It is coming 20 years since Harps first unveiled plans for a new purpose-built stadium in Stranorlar.

Still, however, they play at dilapidated, dated Finn Park with the construction of the Donegal Community Stadium having halted in 2014.

For the last 20 years, Harps have been getting a derogation to allow them continue to play at Finn Park, but issues with the floodlights at the Navenny Street venue highlighted a need for urgency with the bid to move across the Finn. A €1.5 million shortfall that the club has to cough up in matched funding remains a stumbling block.

Just last week, at the announcement of the allocation of Large Scale Sporting Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) monies, Minister of State Thomas Byrne reiterated a desire to see the stadium built. Harps previously €4.7m secured from the LSSIF funding.

Speaking at Dalymount Park, he said: “The money is there from the Department. We would love to see that project going ahead. It’s not the Department’s fault that it hasn’t. We want it to happen. We want to get that one over the line.”

With costs rising to €7.3 million and with total funding of €5.8m in place, Harps still have a €1.5m gap to plug.

“If you look at the LSSIF, we are really happy with the awards as well as the Sports Capital grants this year,” Scanlon told Donegal Live.

“That has brought in significant funding that football has never seen before. With all of that, there is always the element of matched funding. The maximum that the LSSIF can give to any club 70%. How the 30% is raised is really up to the clubs and how they can manage to do that.

“This particular project is complicated with the initial application all those years ago . . . it’s crazy to think it’s so long. We’re still there, but it’s something that really has to kick on. There is a massive fundraising effort that is needed and that’s why the Board are working so hard to increase the membership. In order to get the stadium project over the line, there is going to have to be money coming from the club.”

Scanlon was appointed the LOI Director during the Covid-19 pandemic. Harps were one of several clubs who had to carry out works with additional dressing rooms added to ensure the pandemic protocols were adhered to.

The derogation will continue, but it’s clearly something that isn’t infinite.

Scanlon said: “There has to be a level at professional football and standards have to increase. The costs have increased for the club over the years and it’s why we have worked so hard to secure additional funding.

“We believe that investment into those two areas (facilities and academies) will see strong benefits for the rest of the economy and football will become very self-sustainable after that. There is an initial hurdle to jump and we have to keep pushing standards on. We need clubs to invest in that.”

Harps also face immediate financial challenges following the news that UEFA solidarity payments to clubs such as them will fall dramatically. While the amount in the pot for the League of Ireland will rise to €4m from €1.4m, the new arrangement has a cap on the amount that would go to First Division clubs.

Figures suggest that the annual figure given to clubs in the First Division could fall by €30,000 per annum, although it could drop by the full €75,000 - a stark figure for a club of Harps’ modest means.

“It’s a difficult one, particularly for the clubs in the men’s First Division,” Scanlon said. “First, the increase in UEFA solidarity is very welcome, but some of the dangers of that is that it will be split between the Premier Division clubs. That presents some challenges for the First Division clubs.

“We are continuing to work with government on proposals to help fund academy football and we hope that we will continue to be successful in that as positive conversations continue. Hopefully we can close the gap with some of the work that we do.”

READ NEXT: Needs and wants merge as Finn Harps target 3,000 members in new ownership model

Scanlon was in Ballybofey on Monday to help launch a new ownership model of the Finn Harps Co-Operative Society Ltd with patrons earning ownership rights for an annual fee of €25.

Scanlon said: “It is a really impressive vision that the Board has and I hope that will be backed by the local public and the wider football public.”