Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News

17 November 2010

WITH support from UEFA and the EU, members of the Green and White Army will welcome fellow football fans from across the UK, Scandinavia and Central and South Eastern Europe to Belfast this week for an International Fans Seminar – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

In 2006 the Amalgamation won the EU and UEFA endorsed, Brussels International Supporters Award (now known as European Football Supporters Award), after being successfully nominated by the IFA’s Head of Community Relations and founder of the Football For All Project, Michael Boyd, for their anti-sectarian efforts. This award was a notable high in their achievements recognising their journey and hard work up until that point with the Community Relations team at Irish FA.

This is most notably shown by the transformation of the atmosphere at home internationals at Windsor Park – with the Irish FA’s Football For All campaign and the work of the Amalgamation helping to create a fantastic family friendly atmosphere at the games.

So this year the Amalgamation, along with the Irish FA’s Community Relations Department decided to organise an event in partnership with the fans, for the fans in the spirit of recognition and shared knowledge to continue combating racism and bigotry in football.

“The success of Football For All at international level has been down to the fact that the fans have been at the heart of the changes,” said the Irish FA’s Head of Community Relations, Michael Boyd. “This seminar will help us build on the unbelievable progress made so far and will help build on good relations with fans from across Europe. None of this would have been possible without the kind support of UEFA, the EU and Northern Ireland Community Relations Council.”

The seminar on November 19 and 20 will also be host to some of the most notable speakers from across Europe such as Piara Power of Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), Keith Ferguson from Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFÉ) and Dani Wurbs from Football Supporters Europe (FSE), along with the initiator and spokesman for the European Football Supporters Award Phillipe Housiaux.

Gary McAllister, spokesperson for the Amalgamation said: "I'm delighted that the Amalgamation can help play host to football supporters from other nations as part of the Fans Seminar. This event will allow us to listen to the experiences of fans from throughout Europe and to tell them about some of the work that we do. As a member of the 'Football Supporters Europe' network, this is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about Northern Ireland football fans."

The International Fans Seminar comes hot on the heels of a highly successful Football For All Fans Night at the Ramada Hotel at Shaw’s Bridge on Thursday 11 November where Colin Murray and Stephen Craigan joined Bryan Hamilton, Trevor Ringland and Jim Boyce in praising Northern Ireland football fans for their efforts challenging and eradicating sectarianism from Northern Ireland football, as well as their unbelievable charity work both at home and abroad.

Football For All Ambassador Colin Murray said: “Football For All is the standout success story of Northern Ireland football over the last 10 years. Football For All is all about working in partnership with fans and volunteers to make the game more fun, safe and inclusive. The Fans Night was a tremendous success and I am sure the International Fans Seminar this week will be as equally impressive and inspiring.”

Northern Ireland fans favourite Stephen Craigan added: “I didn’t actually realise until recently that the Football For All team secure all their own funding externally which core funds the Football For All Team’s salaries and project costs. Football For All’s contribution to football in Northern Ireland is immense and the fact that the Northern Ireland fans are valued at the heart of Football For All makes it even more special. I am very passionate and proud to play for Northern Ireland and I am equally proud and passionate to support Football For All.”

Anyone interested in attending the free FFA International Fans Seminar this Friday and Saturday at the Ramada Hotel at Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast should contact Lisa Rickett from the FFA Team at lrickett@irishfa.com or call her on 07834525955 for more information. There are limited spaces left so please get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.