EP14: Emergency Podcast : We have to save the Irish League

EMERGENCY PODCAST  Did you know that the very existence of so many local institutions - football clubs, playing in N Ireland's top soccer league,  is now under a serious and profound threat. The pandemic has ripped through our homes, our businesses, our relationships, and changed absolutely everything in the past 8 months.   Given many are now saying we are approaching a wave 2, the impact continues to be severe right across the world. A few weeks ago someone brought it to my attention that many of our Irish league clubs are close to going out of business.   Some of these clubs have came through both World Wars in the last hundred years, and our own troubles here in N Ireland, but are still standing today.  More than that, they are at the epicentres of our communities, and huge net contributors to society. The harsh financial reality is that the pandemic has meant that up to 90% of all income has stopped going into these clubs, which could leave a black hole in excess of £10M in this coming season. In this podcast, I get to speak to the Chairman of Cliftonville Football club, which was founded in 1879.   Gerard Lawlor, sets out in very simple terms that the club is calling for government financial support, before it might be too late.   "This is about keeping community Institutions in existence" says Gerard, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Football League. The Northern Ireland Football league is the largest sporting employer in N Ireland with over 400 employees who take away c. £5.5M in salaries that goes straight back into our economy. The league is due to start next week, and at of the time of recording, there is still no government financial support in place. Warrenpoint Businessman and Chairman of Warrenpoint FC, Connaire Mc Greevy echoes Gerard's calls for government assistance.   His club's finances like everyone else's has been decimated by Covid19, losing up to 85% of sponsorship.   Without government support, they are starring bleakly into a six figure black hole in their accounts. There is 15 teams at the club, and they have over 500 people involved on the playing side to include the kids.   This club, is at the very heart of everything that is good about Warrenpoint, and N Ireland. My last stop on this pod is at my old club Dungannon Swifts, where I get to speak to Vice Chairman Jarlath Faloon. I spent a number of years playing at Dungannon, so I know on a personal level, the incredible work that club does every year for the community. The Swifts club is owned by its members and given all revenue comes from bar takings, functions, gate receipts and sponsorship - well, they are running on thin air right now, with players salaries to pay alongside all of the other costs that don't disappear. This is a very grim picture being painted by these guys, BUT, the good news there is a SOLUTION AVAILABLE. On this pod I discuss how we can solve this problem, and why the N Ireland executive need to pick the baton up and GO TO LONDON AND SECURE A COVID RECOVERY FUND. NOW!! The idea that there is no money is simply UNTRUE. The Bank of England has already said it is willing to provide the money to fix the problems caused by COVID. Our local politicians now need to go and secure the fund which will not only save these clubs from extinction, but will secure and help build our broken society and economy.  This is urgent, and I hope the Executive listen, and ACT accordingly and IMMEDIATELY. If you enjoy the podcast, please share it with a friend and leave me a review wherever you get your podcasts. Look after yourself, and each other. You can contact me at [email protected]   CD