Portstewart FC has become the latest club to be supported through the MacBlair Building Support Fund.

The Seahawks applied for funding to support an overhaul of the existing bathroom facilities at their Mullaghacall home which have remained largely untouched since the ground first opened in 1997.

The refurbishment will include the installation of new plumbing and drainage systems, upgrading tiling and wall finishes and improving lighting and ventilation.

The funding was announced by MacBlair in partnership with the Irish Football Association. MacBlair, one of Northern Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants, will supply building materials from the club’s local MacBlair branch in Coleraine.

placeholder image — Portstewart FC clubhouse

Portstewart FC’s Executive Chairman, Alan Dempsey, was presented with a commemorative plaque by Andy McCarron, branch manager of MacBlair Coleraine, and Stephen Garrett, Senior Commercial Manager at the Irish Football Association, at the Mullaghacall ground.

READ HERE: Meet the schoolteacher who is lacing up his running shoes every day in January for charity

Patrick Carroll, MacBlair Strategic Development and Risk Director, said: “I am delighted to confirm Portstewart FC as a recipient of support from the MacBlair Building Support Fund.

“The club submitted a very thorough and impressive application in which it was clear that Mullaghacall plays a pivotal role beyond football as a multi-purpose community hub, and these improvements are aimed at bettering the experience of everyone who visits the ground.

At the announcement of support for Portstewart FC were: (from left) Patrick Carroll, Strategic Development and Risk Director, MacBlair; Stephen Garrett, Senior Commercial Manager, Irish FA; Alan Dempsey, Executive Chairman, Portstewart FC, and Andy McCarron, Branch Manager, MacBlair Coleraine. CREDIT IRISH FA

“We encourage other clubs across Northern Ireland to follow Portstewart FC’s lead and apply for support through the MacBlair Building Support Fund.”

Alan Dempsey from Portstewart FC said it was “fantastic” to receive assistance from the MacBlair Fund.

He added: “Since opening in 1997 Mullaghacall has remained largely unchanged and we want to modernise our bathroom facilities and enhance the experience of supporters and the wider community. The building materials provided by MacBlair will help us do exactly that.”

Stephen Garrett, Senior Commercial Manager at the Irish Football Association, said: “Congratulations to Portstewart FC on receiving support through the Fund. The Irish FA is delighted to partner with MacBlair who have an evident passion for supporting grassroots football around the country.

“We strongly encourage other clubs to send in their applications to be in with a chance of being the next to benefit from this brilliant initiative.”

Another local club has also been a recipient of a McBlair iniative – Ballymoney United Football received an essential training pack thanks to the Club Support Fund.