Threatening graffiti has appeared on a wall close to where work is to begin on a new £7.5m playing field development in north Belfast amid a row over which teams will get to use the facility.
Work on the Ballysillan playing fields is due to get underway early this year and will include refurbishment of the existing bowling pavilion, a new floodlit 3G pitch, new children’s play facilities, and a new open-air community event space.
Belfast City Council is to foot most of the bill to upgrade the playing fields off Ballysillan Road into what it describes as a “landmark public park”.
However, a row has emerged after a council decision to upgrade the playing pitches from an Irish Football Association ‘intermediate’ standard to Irish Premiership standard, and allow use of the pitch to NIFL championship side Newington FC.
Nearby Ballysillan Swifts FC have hit out at the council decision and said that the pitches were earmarked for use by their club exclusively, but now have been told that they must share the facilities.
A petition supporting the club’s stance has garnered close to a thousand signatures.
The row has led to the graffiti, which appeared on the Ballysillan Road last weekend saying “Ballysillan says no to Newington” alongside a pair of crosshairs.
The graffiti has since been painted over, but it has been reported to the PSNI, who say enquiries are ongoing.
In a statement posted on social media, Ballysillan Swifts say they are “devastated and disgusted” by the actions of the local council.
“We as a club are devastated, disgusted and let down by these latest developments from the BCC,” the club said.
“We can’t understand how they can change the whole plan now at this late stage after what was set out for public consultation was already agreed.
“We won’t be pushed out of our home and we won’t be made to become the other team to anyone.”
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said no final decisions have been taken on future bookings of the facility.
“Belfast City Council can confirm work will shortly begin to upgrade Ballysillan Playing Fields as part of an investment under the Urban Villages programme.
“As part of the upgrade, a new 4G soccer pitch will be installed and council officers are currently considering how this facility can be maximised for community use.”
The council did not comment directly on the concerns expressed by Ballysillan Swifts FC.
Newington FC has been approached for comment.
Plans for the club to play at a new 4,000 capacity community sports stadium alongside Crusaders on the site of the Loughside leisure centre on the Shore Road were unveiled in 2014, but the development never came to fruition.
