MILK CUP: Hundreds join online group to keep finals in Coleraine

A Facebook petition to return the Milk Cup finals to Coleraine was set up last week and has already attracted 500 members.

The online campaign gained over 300 members in two days and includes views from many disappointed supporters.

On the site many fans have said that they may boycott the tournament totally, with others claiming that this year will be last time the entire tournament will be held in Coleraine.

The Portstewart man behind the petition, who did not want to be named, told Times Sport: "The Milk Cup is one of the highlights of my summer. I know that many people are not happy about the decision to move the finals, so this page gives them a forum to put across their views."

Back in December we reported the news that this year's Milk Cup finals could be moved away from Coleraine.

In March it was confirmed that for the first time in the tournament's 28 year history Ballymena would host the finals at under-14, under-16 and under-19 level.

The Milk Cup organisers decided that the capacity and facilities at Coleraine Showgrounds were not up to scratch.

They also revealed that many teams had complained and even threatened to walk away from the tournament, after having to change in temporary portacabins at the Showgrounds.

The tournament committee has insisted that the finals will return when the facilities at the Ballycastle Road ground are brought up to the required standard.

The Milk Cup Committee were contacted to make a comment on this story but had not replied at the time of going to press.