Ulster rugby star Trevor Ringland, previously a backer of the plans for a stadium at the old Maze site has urged the devolved executive not to rush the decision. The Sunday Life reported that the former Ireland and Lions winger has reconsidered his support for the Maze proposals.
“As someone who has previously backed it, I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be there but I am willing to concede that it is not clear cut. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff & Croke in Dublin are obvious examples of grounds near the centre of populations that have created fantastic atmospheres. I do not want a white elephant built and that is why I would like to see a major, open and honest debate on the location. It is what is right for the people of Northern Ireland that counts.”
Trevor Ringland
It’s not surprising that Ringland was originally in support of the Maze. There are a large number of people who were effectively caught up in fanciful talk about UEFA cup finals (which will not happen due to UEFA requirements) and Olympic football (before people realised that they’d never sell 40,000 tickets for Iran vs Qatar). The NIO press office has done a wonderful job of propaganda but the holes have begun to appear and are growing every day.
There is enormous opposition to the Maze stadium, but with the devolved executive dominated by the DUP and Sinn Fein (the one party to openly back the plans), and the DUP’s Lisburn-centric leadership backing the plans (and running DCAL, the ministry responsible for sports), there is a danger that our all-knowing politicians will decide that they know more about sport than players and fans.
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