We are pleased to announce an exciting new long-term club partnership with Greenisland FC ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 season and beyond.
The partnership aims to mutually benefit both clubs at academy and senior level. It includes a commitment to sharing new and existing resources, the two-way movement of players between clubs at all levels and shared coach professional development opportunities amongst other benefits.
Founded in 1995, Greenisland FC offers footballing opportunities for men, women, boys and girls. Their men’s first team currently play in 1B of the Northern Ireland Amateur League, while Greenisland Ladies are progressing rapidly up the women’s football structure and are currently playing in the NIWFA Division 2.
The Glenkeen Avenue-based club are widely known throughout Northern Ireland as having one of the country’s leading academy set-ups, producing a host of Northern Ireland internationals such as Jonny and Corry Evans, Craig Cathcart and Michael Smith over the years.
In recent times, Greenisland’s academy has been the development hub for highly-rated international prospects Jack Patterson (Everton), Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest) and Charlie Allen (Leeds United) to name just a few.
Discussing the partnership, chairman Gareth Clements said:
“We believe that the agreement announced today is another landmark moment for our club.
“Greenisland are known across the country as one of Northern Ireland’s top academies, and we are now in a position to share resources and knowledgebase, which we will likewise share with them for the benefit of both clubs.
“Not only does the club boast a rich history in terms of player development, but we have also found Stuart (McClean, GFC Chairperson) and his team to be very forward thinking and innovative with a clear vision as to the direction they want the football club to travel towards at all levels.
“We look forward to further developing our relationship with all involved at Greenisland.”
Stuart McClean, Greenisland chairperson, added:
“For Greenisland Football Club, players are central to everything we do and the partnership and how it progresses will all be built around the players.
“My first impression when I visited Larne at their Academy of Sport facility was that they are the right club for Greenisland to enter into a partnership with. This decision wasn’t just from a football side of things but having looked at the opportunities on offer in terms of education and facilities, we believe these will open doors for our players in the future.
“Amongst the other benefits which this partnership will offer both clubs as a whole, we hope that our players will progress to Larne, but also that players will be able to come in the other direction and progress at Greenisland.”
