As part of the Irish FA’s continuing implementation of Club Licensing policies, the Licensing Committee met on Wednesday 26 April to consider applications for the award of UEFA, Premiership, Promotion and Championship Licences for season 2023-24 and 2023 (Women’s Premiership).
In line with the current UEFA, Premiership, Promotion and Championship licensing manuals, applicant clubs were assessed across key areas, namely: sporting, infrastructure/safety, football social responsibility, personnel and administration, legal and financial.
Based on these entirely objective criteria licences were granted/refused to the following clubs:
UEFA CLUB LICENCES GRANTED
Ballymena United FC
Carrick Rangers FC
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Larne FC
Linfield FC
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLUB LICENCE GRANTED
Cliftonville Ladies FC
MEN’S PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENCES GRANTED
Ballymena United FC
Carrick Rangers FC
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Larne FC
Linfield FC
Newry City AFC
Portadown FC
WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENCES GRANTED
Cliftonville Ladies FC
Crusaders Strikers FC
Glentoran (Women) FC
Larne (Women) FC
Linfield (Women) FC
Lisburn Ladies FC
WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENCES REFUSED
Ballymena United (Women) FC
Derry City (Women) FC*
Sion Swifts Ladies FC
Mid Ulster Ladies
*No documentation submitted beyond initial application form
PROMOTION CLUB LICENCES GRANTED
Annagh United FC (Coleraine Showgrounds, Coleraine)
Ards FC (Clandeboye Park, Bangor)
Ballinamallard United FC
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Institute FC (Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry-Londonderry)
H&W Welders FC
Loughgall FC (Mourneview Park, Lurgan)
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB LICENCES GRANTED
Annagh United FC
Ards FC (Clandeboye Park, Bangor)
Armagh City FC
Ballinamallard United FC
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Ballymacash Rangers FC
Banbridge Town FC
Bangor FC
Dergview FC
Dollingstown FC
Dundela FC
H&W Welders FC
Institute FC (Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry-Londonderry)
Knockbreda FC
Limavady United FC
Lisburn Distillery FC
Loughgall FC
Moyola Park AFC (Fortwilliam Park, Tobermore)
Newington FC (Inver Park, Larne)
Newry City AFC
Portstewart FC
PSNI FC (The Dub, Upper Malone, Belfast)
QUB AFC
Tobermore United FC
Communication of these decisions has already been made to the respective clubs concerned.
Club licences are valid for one season only, namely 2023-24.
CHAMPIONSHIP/PROMOTION CLUB LICENCES REFUSED
Warrenpoint Town FC
The committee was unanimous in its decision to refuse licences to Warrenpoint Town FC. The club has been advised of the specific reasons for the licence refusals. Given that the club has a right to appeal, the committee is unable to comment any further at this time.
All clubs who have been refused a licence have the right of appeal, in line with 3.2.7 of the Club Licensing manual(s) with any such appeals tentatively scheduled for 10 May 2023.
Licensing Committee chairman Allen McKinstry said: "As always I want to recognise the work that has gone on behind the scenes at clubs over recent months to ensure licensing applications were successful.
“The record number of licences awarded (59) is testament to the hard work of applicant clubs across the country and continues to support the position that the licensing standards in place continue to be both reasonable and achievable as the process expands across our game in Northern Ireland.
“In particular I want to congratulate NIFL Women’s Premiership clubs who have gone through the licensing process for the first time.
“Whilst not all women’s clubs achieved the required standards to be awarded a licence, this year’s ‘soft implementation’ of the licensing process in the NIFL Women’s Premiership will allow clubs to review learning and identify areas for improvement in advance of the mandatory implementation of licensing for the league as a requirement for participation in the 2024 season.”
Irish FA Club Licensing manager Stacey Moffett added: “The positive news regarding the record number of licences awarded is tempered by an emerging concern that a small number of clubs made very significant losses, driven primarily by wage commitments and increases not supported by income levels.
“The significant strides made over the past decade to strengthen financial discipline across the domestic game and the long-term importance of Northern Ireland football clubs within communities means that clubs cannot lose sight of the fact that they must be run sustainably.”
