Northern Ireland football "in crisis"

Hamilton says few good players are coming through

Bryan Hamilton has said failure to respond to the Northern Ireland Football Task Force could leave the local game "beyond repair".

On Monday, Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey received the report he commissioned to help identify the difficulties facing soccer in Northern Ireland.

Following a widespread consultation exercise, the report contains the views of key football interests and the general public.

Former Northern Ireland boss Hamilton told the BBC that local soccer requires "major surgery".

"There's are so many parts that need to be addressed," said Task Force member Hamilton.

"Northern Ireland football is in crisis for many reasons.

Michael McGimpsey set up the Task Force

"There is a shortage of people wanting to come to the games.

"The stadia are in serious need of repair and I do think there is also a shortage of quality (players) coming through,'' Hamilton added.

Welcoming the report, compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Minister said:

"From the outset, I intended this initiative to be an open and inclusive one and I am making the report available so that key interests are kept fully informed as we make progress.

"I am pleased that the process has generated considerable interest and I am grateful to all those who participated and gave their views.

"However, I would emphasise that this is not a definitive report on the way forward - it is a valuable record of what the community thinks about the state of the game.

Northern Ireland football is in crisis for many reasons

  Bryan Hamilton

"The views and the core issues which have emerged can be summarised under the broad headings of finance, structure, facilities, youth development, community involvement, crowd behaviour and sectarianism and the image of the game."

Around 80 delegates, representing a range of interests, will discuss the reports at a Conference Workshop in Newcastle this weekend.

Other Football Task Force members included Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, Northern Ireland team manager Sammy McIlroy and ex-international Billy Hamilton.

Top Irish Football Association officials David Bowen and Jim Boyce will attend the conference at the Slieve Donard Hotel.

Copies of the report can be obtained from the Policy Development Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, 3rd Floor, Interpoint, 20-24 York Street, Belfast, BT15 1AQ (Tel: [phone]).

It will also be available on the DCAL website: www.dcalni.gov.uk