Brian Kerr may have overlooked you in the past but now is your chance to prove him wrong. :D
The Chinese Community in Dublin have organised a football match v the Northern Ireland Chinese Community for Sunday January 23rd at Dalymount Park kickoff 1pm. This coincides with Chinese New Year
The IFA as part of it's Football for All Campaign are supporting the event. As part of this a busload of Northern Ireland fans are travelling down for the game and I am organising a Republic of Ireland fans team to play them in a fans match beforehand - kickoff 12 noon.
If you are interested in playing please PM me your contact details. Everybody should get a game. Anyone playing at any level even 5 a side will do fine or soembody that just fancies a game. You will get to play on the most famous pitch in Irish football.
Indeed anyone that wants to volunteer any help would be much appreciated.
The plan is to have a few drinks in the bar and support the Dublin/RoI team afterwards in the main match.
I have suggested that we'll wear green shirts so you'll need to bring your own kit/boots etc unless somebody has access to a set of gear. Ideally a green Irish jersey.
If any referee is willing to volunteer their services for the fans match too that would be much appreciated.
To quote one of the Northern guys - This is an opportunity to unite football fans north and south under one flag and one anthem - China's.
Thanks to Bohmeian FC btw for kindly allowing their ground to be used at a nominal charge to cover expenses. Their support is much appreciated.
Details of the IFA football for All Campaign are below. Michael Boyd hopes to play in the fans match.
IFA FOOTBALL FOR ALL PRESS RELEASE
“NORTHERN IRELAND FOOTBALL CLUBS AND SUPPORTERS DESERVE MORE PRAISE” - Michael Boyd, IFA Community Relations Officer
· IFA Community Relations Officer, Michael Boyd, manages the IFA’s Football For All Project, which consists of an innovative strategy designed to make the sport of football in Northern Ireland more inclusive of all the community. The Community Relations Council core-fund the IFA’s Football For All Project. Michael has been in post since February 2000. Today he heaped praise on football clubs and supporters across the Province:
· “Football is making a significant contribution to the community in Northern Ireland. The Sports Council, Community Relations Council, Clubs at all levels, Coaches; Volunteers and Supporters deserve more praise. Through our Coach Education programme we deliver a community relations awareness module to over 600 Coaches a year and from listening to these people and supporting clubs I can assure you that the sport of Football is impacting positively on community relations from grassroots to the Irish League. Supporter’s bodies are also building relationships to promote positive community relations. Football may be facing difficulties in lots of areas but the community work that is carried out in football largely by volunteers, coaches and fans shows that the future can be brighter for the sport and a more inclusive culture is spreading”.
· The IFA’s Football For All project intends to be giving out prestigious plaques to reward the unsung heroes in football who have actively promoted positive community relations through the medium of football in the New Year. If you would like to get your nominations in please email Michael Boyd on mboyd@irishfa.com <mailto:mboyd@irishfa.com>
MEDIA CONTACT - MICHAEL BOYD - +44 07759582774
