Newry City AFC would like to place on record our thanks to the Northern Ireland Executive, Sport NI, the Irish Football Association and the Northern Ireland Football League for their assistance in securing much needed revenue through the Sports Sustainability Fund.
We would also like to thank NIFL for their assistance through the NIFL Covid-19 Recovery Fund.
Newry City AFC would like to thank The National Lottery for their donation to the NI Football League 
NIFL Press Release
“Irish Football Association and NIFL thank National Lottery Players for their support
£450k support package from The National Lottery gives lifeline to all NI Football League clubs
The Irish FA is delighted to announce that all Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) clubs will each receive a share of £450k of financial support as part of a unique partnership with The National Lottery.
The partnership with The National Lottery will benefit all men’s and women’s clubs in the NI Football League. It will provide vital support as clubs are either forced to play without fans or not able to play football at all, owing to COVID-19 restrictions. As a thank you, National Lottery players, who make a difference every time they buy a ticket, will also get a range of benefits – including free tickets once stadia have fully reopened and VIP experiences with the Northern Ireland national side.
The clubs are important parts of their communities and the funding recognises their role beyond just a 3pm kick off on a Saturday afternoon. They provide a source of pride to their local areas and have been at the heart of their communities through the duration of the pandemic.
The funds will play a key role in ensuring that the clubs can continue to exist and operate during the pandemic. The money will be distributed by the Irish FA to clubs ensuring their continued survival.
Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive Officer for the Irish FA, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, football clubs are able to protect and enhance the crucial work they do serving their communities right across Northern Ireland. We’re delighted to play our role in this brilliant initiative.”
Andrew Johnston, Managing Director of the NI Football League, said, “This funding is a huge boost to our member clubs at a particularly desperate time. We would like to express our sincere thanks to The National Lottery for their support in safeguarding the immediate future of our clubs.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, said, “Men’s and women’s clubs in the NI Football League play a vital role in their local communities, and have been facing tough times recently because of coronavirus restrictions. We are extremely grateful to The National Lottery for this vital funding package, which will go a long way in helping these clubs keep going until fans are safely able to return to grounds and stadia.”
Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, said, “The National Lottery and its players make a massive difference to communities across the UK day in, day out – and have been doing so for the past 26 years. So we’re really delighted to be working with the Irish Football Association to support these incredibly important clubs in the Northern Ireland Football League, enabling them to continue playing such an important role in their local communities. I am a huge football fan and I think all fans will be delighted to know that their clubs are getting the support they need.”
The partnerships follows a similar initiative between the FA and National League in England, and the FAW and Cymru Leagues in Wales. Work continues on a partnership with the Scottish FA. The money for these initiatives is coming from a National Lottery promotional fund. It is not being funded by money allocated for National Lottery Good Causes or by Camelot.”
Jackie had a successful time with “The Town” winning the Mid Ulster Cup during the 1974/75 season. During the same season the club also won the South Section of the B League Championship before losing by a 4-3 margin to the winners of the North Section Carrick Rangers in a thrilling test match decider at Dixon Park Ballyclare.
He, however, down through the years always maintained an interest in Newry Town/ City/City AFC and was always a welcome visitor to The Showgrounds. We were delighted to have Jackie as a guest at our Centenary Dinner of The Town/ City/City AFC in the Canal Court Hotel last year.
Newry City AFC are delighted to confirm that Dane Lind has joined the club (subject to international clearance). The California born striker, most recently on the books of Orange County Soccer Club U23s in USL League 2 and a graduate of Amherst College, joins having impressed during a brief trial spell.
Darren Mullen stated: “Dane is a very talented young player who arrived with us after missing the window down south. Sometimes a signing comes out of the blue and this is certainly one of them. He has arrived after doing very well at college level in the USA and is keen to impress at this level. He is strong quick and has a clever eye for goal so he’s a welcome addition to our squad.”
When speaking to newrycityafc.co.uk Dane stated: “ I’m really excited to be joining Newry this year. Everyone involved with the club has just been spectacular and so kind in getting me all settled. This is obviously a big change for me coming from The States but it’s great to know that I’m surrounded by so many good people and such a great group of guys on the team.”
Welcome to the Showgrounds Dane!
