Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - Football for All comes runner up in Volunteer Category at Wembley Awards

05 November 2007

Taken from Irish Football Association Press Release

The Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs came in as runners up, in the Volunteer Category, in the prestigious UK wide ISEMS Sports Business Awards, held at Wembley on Wednesday 31stOctober, for their Football For All campaign at international games encouraging Northern Ireland Football Fans to give sectarianism the boot, creating a more fun, safe and inclusive atmosphere at Northern Ireland international football games both at home and abroad.

The Amalgamation’s Football For All Co-ordinator, Jim Rainey, explains how delighted the fans are to be given such recognition.

"It was a great honour to be here at Wembley, the home of football, and represent the Amalgamation amongst the top organisations in the world involved in sports event management. To even be considered (let alone shortlisted) for an award along with professional companies involved in organising top sporting events such as the Pan American games, Miami Superbowl Florida, the Tour de France, the Cricket World Cup and the 2006 Commonwealth Games, shows just how far our wee country has come and the worldwide recognition now being shown for Football for All.

I would also like to thank Michael Boyd for the support he has given the Amalgamation over the last seven years. Undoubtedly, without the trust Michael put in the supporters at a time when others saw us as the pariahs of international football, the match day experience at Northern Ireland matches would not be as electrifying as it is now. Thanks also have to go to the IFA and Peter McMinn of Travel Solutions for sponsoring the Amalgamation representation at the Awards at Wembley last night."