AN AGREEMENT TO build a brand new 3,000-seater stadium in north Drogheda has been agreed between the FAI and Louth County Council, the football association confirmed.
The new complex will form an integral part of Louth County Council’s plans for a municipal playing pitch facility and will have scope of increasing to a 10,000-seater stadium in the future.
Drogheda United will be the main tenants, with the stadium catering for their Under 19, U17, U15 & U13 players who will use the surrounding pitches for games in the SSE Airtricity League.
“This stadium project is a huge step forward in further developing football in Drogheda and credit should go to Louth County Council, and their Chief Executive Joan Martin, who have been extremely supportive from the very beginning,” said FAI CEO John Delaney.
“To have a modern stadium in Drogheda that initially starts out with a capacity of 3,000 with scope to rise up to 10,000 seats is great news for Irish football. It means that Drogheda United will have a new home to be proud of and that the FAI will have another venue to stage underage international matches.
STATEMENT - FAI confirm that a new stadium will be built in Drogheda, in conjunction with Louth County Council
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) July 26, 2018
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“Drogheda United have had a great history in Irish football and it’s time for them to make new memories in a stadium that is fit for purpose to cater for their loyal supporters, to attract new fans, and to serve the local community.”
Club chairman Fiachra Kierans reflected that news of a new stadium bodes well for the future prospects of Drogheda, who won the FAI Cup in 2005 and the Premier Division title in 2007.
“This is fantastic news for Drogheda United Football Club, the people of Drogheda, and the future of football in County Louth. We have to give tremendous credit to FAI CEO John Delaney for making this happen,” he said.
“The future of Drogheda United is very bright and we are excited to work with the FAI and Louth County Council to turn this new stadium into something that our supporters and the people of Drogheda can be proud of. It is a major investment for the Drogheda area.”
Drogheda United have played their home games at the 2,000-seater United Park since it opened in 1979.
The FAI confirmed that the new facility will include space for several full-size pitches and smaller artificial pitches, which will be accessible to the local community.
“The new stadium will be an initial 3,000 seater complex with scope of increasing up to 10,000,” they said.
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