FAI Chief Executive, John Delaney met with Harps Directors on Monday of this week to finalise tender arrangements for the proposed new Stadium and Training Complex at Stranorlar. Shareholders had been advised at the AGM in February that the Club had got the go-ahead from the FAI to proceed to tender stage, and were hoping to advertise for tenders in April.

The Club confirmed at Mondays meeting that advertisements have been placed in local newspapers this week and in this Fridays Irish Independent (Friday 31 st March 2006), seeking submissions from interested developers to construct the new stadium.

Since the AGM a number of Harps Directors travelled to England last month to look at options and to gather information on alternative methods of stadia construction on the recommendation of the FAI. This was most informative and since then, work has been ongoing on the preparation of guidance documentation for interested developers.

John Delaney accompanied by John Byrne, FAI Special Projects Officer, and Bob Breen FAI Licensing Officer; made it clear on Monday that the FAI are delighted with progress made thus far, and are fully supportive of what the Club are trying to achieve. ‘ I am delighted and impressed with the manner in which the Club are progressing this Project. I have been kept updated with progress on an ongoing basis. Harps are one of a number of Clubs who are showing the way in relation to infrastructure with their new Stadium plans. The Stadium is critical to the Clubs future.'

While there is still much work to be done this is another significant milestone, with the site already being available, and planning permission having been obtained last April.

It is clear that if the Club are to move up to the next level that a modern stadium with modern facilities is the key to the future, a fact highlighted just last week when the clubs existing seated area was deemed unsafe and closed by Licensing Officers.

The Club will update supporters in a number of months when the outcome of the tender process becomes clearer and when additional meetings have been held with the FAI.

Standing (l-r): Trevor Gordon, FHFC; Patsy Lafferty, FHFC; John Byrne, FAI Special Project Officer; Bob Breen, FAI Licensing Officer; Ian Curristan, FHFC. Seated: John Delaney, CEO Football Association of Ireland; Alexander Brady, FHFC. (Picture Gerard McHugh).