Derry want £5m from NI Executive

Sinn Fein and DUP Assembly members are to join Derry City football club to ask the Executive to help fund a new stadium.

They are to ask for £5m to turn the Brandywell ground into a facility with capacity for 8,000 people.

The Irish government will also be asked for £5m, and the club will provide the remaining £5m.

"It's going to bring regeneration to the whole Brandywell area," said Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney.

"We all know this is one of the most socially deprived areas not just in Derry, but the whole north of Ireland," he said.

"This is about a 21st century sports stadium, and a regeneration plan," said Mr McCartney.

DUP MLA William Hay has also given his support.

"This is a project not only for sport, but for regenerating that whole area," he said.

Derry City chairman Pat McDaid said the current stadium was an "embarrassment".

Mr McDaid and other Derry officials will hold discussions about the issues with representatives of the Northern Ireland Exectuive on Monday.

"It would be a regeneration for the whole of Brandywell which is a seriously deprived area," he said.

He said the club has "a very strong case".

"We've already held meetings with the various bodies north and south and we're hopeful of securing the funding for a much-needed stadium in the second city of Northern Ireland," he said.

"This money would serve a dual purpose. It would provide a stadium for the football club which is long overdue and also provide a new way forward for the people of the Brandywell," he said.

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