Irish Premiership: Clubs need funding to create ‘safe environment’ – Paul Heatley

Carrick Rangers forward Paul Heatley said he hopes his injury against Bangor on Saturday will highlight the urgent need to release funding to clubs to upgrade stadium facilities across Northern Ireland.

The 38-year-old collided with the wall surrounding the pitch at Taylors Avenue eight minutes into the second half of his side’s Irish Premiership game.

He received treatment at the side of the pitch and was taken to hospital after being placed into the ambulance on a stretcher, before being discharged on Sunday.

The decision was then made to abandon the fixture by referee Christopher Morrison as there was no ambulance in place after Heatley was transported from the ground.

Carrick were one of 20 clubs who progressed to the next stage in a bid to secure a slice of the Northern Ireland Football Fund.

They applied for £5.8m for improvements to Taylors Avenue, but will have to go through another stage of assessment before any funding is handed out with no timeline in place for the next steps.

Posting on social media on Monday, Heatley called for “immediate funding” to be released to Irish League clubs to ensure “nothing like this ever happens to any player in the future”.

“Thank you to everyone for all the messages of support from my own club and team-mates to the wider footballing community it has been truly incredible,” he said.

“To the coaches, physios and doctors of both Carrick Rangers FC and Bangor FC I am forever grateful, along with the amazing care given to me from the ambulance service.

“A very special shoutout to the stewards and the girls in the club shop for looking after my children whilst I received treatment, no child should witness such a scene at a football match and you kept them distracted and entertained throughout, thank you all. A few restless nights lay ahead but will take that, knowing it could have ended much worse.

“I hope this incident highlights the need for immediate funding to be released for Irish League clubs to provide a proper, safe environment for players, staff and supporters, to ensure nothing like this ever happens to any player in the future.

“With power comes responsibility, so for those in power and authority around the Irish league, welfare and funding, the responsibility lies with you.

“Thanks again to everyone.”