The Bring Ards FC Home campaign have renewed hope that their team may be close to returning home again, after holding a very positive meeting with Council officials this week.

Representatives of the campaign met with Ards Council’s Head of Leisure Services Archie Walls, the man responsible for progressing Council plans to upgrade sports facilities in the town.

The fans’ group learned that a number of options for the redevelopment of Londonderry Park are due to be put before the Council at the beginning of April. These include a plan for an arena facility that is fit to host Irish League football.

Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Andrew McCullough said that the meeting was a positive step forward for the Ards campaign. "We have been able to hear first hand the type of options that the Council will be considering and we were pleased to see that there is definite consideration for Ards FC in this.

"The council are in a position to provide a complex that can be utilised by a range of sports and within that, a small stadium that could host Ards games and be developed over time.

"We are more confident now that this project will happen. From our conversations with Councillors, we feel a willingness from them to invest in this. This could be the start of our journey home."

29th March 2009

ardsfc.co.uk