State papers reveal talks were held over building a new stadium on the site of Windsor Park
Tony Blair was keen on bringing Wimbledon FC to Belfast
Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' with Lawrie Sanchez won the FA Cup in 1988
State Papers have shone a light on two issues that have sparked considerable debate and controversy in Northern Ireland sport.
The newly released files reveal that the millennium was regarded as presenting an “excellent opportunity” to create a new national stadium for Northern Ireland.
A facility for the four main sports — football, rugby, GAA and athletics — as well as for other cultural and popular events, was never constructed and today we are left with the ongoing debates and uncertainty around Casement Park’s inclusion in the UK and Ireland’s successful Euro 2028 bid.
The other subject disclosed in the files focuses on Mo Mowlam’s unsuccessful attempt to bring Premier League football to Northern Ireland.
The former Secretary of State wanted Belfast Dons (or United if you prefer) to take on Liverpool or Manchester United, though the Irish FA gave that idea a swift red card.
But there was political support for the ambitious plan — former prime minister Sir Tony Blair was keen on an idea to relocate then-Premier League football side Wimbledon FC to Belfast in the late 1990s.
While Premier League football in Belfast could be dismissed as a fantasy project unlikely to become reality, many supporters still feel regret over a failure to see a national sports stadium come to fruition in Northern Ireland.
In 2006 plans for a 42,500 seater multi-purpose stadium at the Maze Prison side that could accommodate all three major sports sparked a backlash and the project was scrapped.
In 2011 the Northern Ireland
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