Alliance East Belfast MLA Chis Lyttle has welcomed an assurance from the Communities Minister that she will complete a review of the football stadia fund within three months.

Chris Lyttle said: “I welcome Minister Hargey’s commitment to complete her review of the Football Stadia Fund within three months. The indecision of the previous Minister and the collapse of the Executive has caused unacceptable delay in the allocation of this investment. We need an urgent injection of capital into our facilities across Northern Ireland. Minister Hargey needs to urgently publish a strategy and improvement programme with adequate funding available for the clubs.

“Irish League clubs, like Glentoran in my East Belfast constituency, are ready to deliver improved sporting, health, social and economic outcomes for all with investment.

“Football clubs are at the heart of our communities, so I really hope and expect the new Minister for Communities will see that and move to release that funding in a timely manner.”