Ali Shams Pour insists Glentoran are "ready to start digging" as they await crucial funding support The East Belfast club is set to benefit from some of the long-overdue Stormont cash to improve facilities here.
The East Belfast side revealed blueprints back in 2021. Proposals include a two new all-seater stands totalling 4,000 capacity and the reconfiguration of existing standing terracing at both goal ends providing 2,000 person capacity. "We were sort of expecting an announcement. It is great news, and it is good news that more money seems to be coming, because £36.2m today isn't what it was 13 years ago. It won't do much to help all these football clubs. But it is good news and we look forward to hearing more."
"We would rather keep the Oval for as long as we can. But we have put a lot of work into these plans. We spent £100,000 on architects, consultants, planners etc. Government needs to know the money is being spent correctly, as this is taxpayers' money."