Glentoran Oval rejig goal community service

Article posted by Coliseum, June 25^th, 2025

Image: Glentoran FC

The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) Premiership team – the Glentoran Football Club – has confirmed that the Belfast City Council has granted planning permission for the proposed redevelopment of their home facility – The BetMcLean Oval in Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK).

‘GLENTORAN FC’ stated that the planning approval represents an important step forward in the club’s long-term ambition to redevelop their home ground – The BetMcLean Oval – into a modern, multipurpose stadium that will not only benefit the club and its supporters but also the wider community and football across Northern Ireland.

Belfast (UK)-based the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL), formerly known as and still commonly referred to as the Irish League, is the national football league of Northern Ireland.

Belfast (UK)-based the NIFL Premiership, known as the Sports Direct Premiership for sponsorship purposes and the Irish Premiership colloquially, is a professional association football league which operates as the highest division of the Northern Ireland Football League – the national league in Northern Ireland.

The Glentoran Football Club is a professional football club based in East Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK) that plays in the NIFL Premiership, the highest division of the Northern Ireland Football League. The club was founded in 1882 and has since won more than 130 major honors. They are one of three Northern Irish teams to have never been relegated.

The 26,556-capacity Oval (currently known as The BetMcLean Oval for sponsorship reasons) is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK) which has been home to the Glentoran F.C. since 1892.

‘GLENTORAN FC’ further stated that subject to securing investment through the Northern Ireland Football Fund the approved plans would see the demolition of the existing Grandstand and the Railway Stand to be replaced by two modern, all-seater stands along with the reconfiguration of terracing at both ends of the ground.

A redeveloped BetMcLean Oval would deliver significantly upgraded facilities for up to 6,000 spectators supporting Glentoran’s Senior Men’s and Women’s teams and their supporters as well as the club’s Boys’ and Girls’ Academy squads and Inclusion teams while also expanding access for wider community use.

Asserted Ali Pour, Owner, Glentoran Football Club, “Securing planning approval is a major step forward in our plans to redevelop the BetMcLean Oval into a modern, multipurpose stadium that every Glentoran fan can be proud of and one that has the potential to become Northern Ireland football’s second stadium. This project reflects my long-term commitment not just to Glentoran but to the regeneration of East Belfast and the growth of the game across Northern Ireland. It’s a bold, forward-looking vision that combines the top-level football facilities with real social and economic impact.”

Commented Colin Jess, Chairman, Glentoran Football Club, “Securing planning approval is a proud and symbolic moment for everyone connected with Glentoran. It has been years in the making and is the result of tireless work behind the scenes. At the heart of this proposed redevelopment of The BetMcLean Oval is a commitment to delivering something that serves our community, honors our heritage and creates lasting value for East Belfast. We’re determined to bring our supporters and local residents with us on the next stage of this journey and to ensure that the stadium we build truly meets the needs of everyone involved.”

Put in Paul Millar, Sporting Director, Glentoran F.C., “A redeveloped BetMcLean Oval would provide the infrastructure our Senior Men’s and Women’s teams, the Academy players and the coaching staff need to thrive while also creating new opportunities for youth development and the wider community participation. It’s a game-changing project for Glentoran and for football in Northern Ireland. Having worked closely on the planning application I know just how much this decision means to everyone involved. It reinforces the strength of our submission to the Northern Ireland Football Fund and underlines the serious intent behind our plans to deliver a modern stadium that meets the needs of the players, the supporters and the East Belfast community. A huge number of people have played a part in reaching this stage and while it’s not possible to name everyone I want to sincerely thank all those who have contributed their time, expertise and support to help bring this project forward.”

Glentoran has submitted a robust application to the Northern Ireland Football Fund (an Executive commitment to invest in the local footballing infrastructure) and is currently awaiting the outcome of the funding process. The submission clearly sets out the club’s need for investment and highlights the significant social, sporting and economic benefits the proposed redevelopment would bring to the local community and the wider game.

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