Windsor Park set for UEFA makeover

Published Friday, 22 January 2010
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Northern Ireland's international ground at Windsor Park is set for a $500,000 make over.

The Irish FA will receive the UEFA grant, working out in the region of £306,000, thanks to the most powerful man in European Football, Michel Platini.

Extra government funding will allow the stadium to be refurbished.

The move means Northern Ireland won't have to play their home games away when the European Qualifiers get underway in September.

Health and Safety issues could have ruled out the use of Windsor Park for international games, if repair work had not been carried out this summer.

"We are planning for the work to be carried out at the end of the current season in May until the middle of August so it doesn't disrupt the start of next season," Irish FA President Raymond Kennedy told UTV.

The money will go towards repairs of the roof on the North Stand which was damaged by a gale a few years ago and has only been temporarily fixed.

"We will also be filling in the moats at the front of the North and West Stands, walkways will be put across those for emergency evacuation.

"This is a comfort to our fans and to everyone concerned, we can all be more relaxed knowing we can play our home matches at home.

Kennedy told UTV he had mentioned the difficulties to Platini.

"It's not that we don't have any money but there's a plan at UEFA to help the national associations.

"The money along with the money we'll get from the government will ensure we can play our qualifiers at Windsor in September and October."

© UTV News
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