Firebombers threaten future of football club
Petrol bombers who struck at an Irish League football club’s ground may force it out of business, a director warned today.
Up to £30,000 (€44,232) of damage was caused in a fire at Mourneview Park, home of Glenavon FC.
A supporters’ club bar underneath one of the stands was destroyed in the blaze.
As detectives tried to establish a motive, dismayed bosses claimed the campaign of attacks could put Glenavon’s future in doubt.
Cash-strapped Irish League clubs battling to attract more spectators are already struggling to survive.
Director George Malone admitted: “We have tried everything we can to curtail this but it seems to be an impossibility.
“The police are doing all they can to keep these guys out.
“All the windows are broken, the far stand is damaged, seats are damaged on a regular basis.
“If this keeps going on, this club will not be able to continue, the way things are going.”
The blaze started early today when a petrol bomb was thrown through a window in the supporters’ section of the ground at Lurgan, Co Armagh.
At least five fire crews spent an hour fighting flames after smoke was spotted billowing.
Damage was also caused to two other supporters’ club premises, parts of the main stand, and the press box.
Despite the fire, a critical Irish League play-off match between Glenavon and Belfast side Crusaders will go ahead at Mourneview on Tuesday night.
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble, who is fighting to be re-elected as MP for the area, called for security cameras to be fitted outside the ground.
He said: “This is not the first time the Mourneview Park ground has been the target of arsonists and, sadly, this time they have caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
“This will come as a major blow to the club, especially ahead of tomorrow’s crunch game with Crusaders.”
“The attack, and the enormous damage it has done to the club, highlights the need for CCTV to be installed outside the grounds.”
