Member's statement: Limavady United

Member's statement by Mr Alan Robinson on 21 April 2026.

MLA: Mr Alan Robinson
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 21 April 2026
Type: Member's statement
Business: Members' Statements
Heading: Limavady United
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5497505

Text

I congratulate Limavady United, who, at the weekend, clinched their league title and will now play in the Sports Direct Premiership along with the likes of the current top four — the Coleraines, the Larnes, the Glentorans and the Linfields — two of which they have beaten recently. It is hard to put into words how much it means for the town: not just the players and staff but everyone connected to Limavady. We all have to remember that the football club is not one that is built on big budgets or big headlines; it is built on people who have pride and passion for the local game and their local area. It is built on lads who train after work in all kinds of weather, coaches who give up their time, because they demand results, and supporters who turn up week in, week out, whether it is freezing or there is lashing rain, at the Showgrounds or any other venue across the Province. That is what makes the Playr-Fit Championship win so special. I have had the opportunity to watch Limavady play on about a dozen occasions this season. I think about the season that they have had: grinding out results when it mattered, sticking together when things did not go their way and finding a little bit of quality on the big occasions. There were games that were not pretty, but the group of lads dug in, and the supporters got behind their team. There were games during which the football was brilliant, full of energy and belief, and there were a few bad days, but the group never lost sight of what it was chasing. It has been an incredible team effort. You cannot talk about the league win without mentioning the way in which the players fight for one another and represent the Limavady badge. Those standards, including the pride that they should have in playing for the club, are set in the dressing room. To the loyal band of supporters I say that this is your moment too. They have travelled and backed the team, believing that they could get the job done. I know that there were days this season when the support made the difference: the manager, Paul Owens, has admitted that. Sadly, in recent weeks, the club has lost loyal stalwarts Alec Trainor and Winston Moore, and, of course, we can look further back to see the club's biggest superfan, Mr David Brewster, who passed away suddenly five years ago. The party has been huge in the town, but it will be even bigger where those three are. Winning the Playr-Fit Championship is not easy. It is a tough league, and it takes a lot of character and heart; the team has shown that. I say this to everyone connected with the club: "Enjoy this. Take it in, because history like this does not come around often". Limavady are champions, and that is fully deserved. The league table does not lie. From the House, I say, "Well done, every one of you".

510 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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