Wexford Youths’ future at Ferrycarrig Park has been secured with the news that the Football Association of Ireland has completed a deal to purchase the facility from a receiver appointed to properties of former owner Mick Wallace.
Ferrycarrig Park has been the home of Wexford Youths FC since they entered the SSE Airtricity League in 2007, and was owned and developed by the club chairman, who now serves as an Independent TD.
Under the new structure, the facility will be jointly owned by the FAI and the Wexford Football League, with Wexford Youths continuing to use the facility.
Welcoming the news, Wallace said: “It's certainly a good day for football in Ireland, now that the Wexford Youths Football Complex is assured of staying in football.
"On behalf of the Wexford Youths club, I would like to thank the Football Association of Ireland, and the Wexford Football League, for helping to make this happen.
"The Wexford Youths are now a well-established integral part of community life in Wexford and the south east region and today's announcement has to be good news for all concerned."
FAI chief executive John Delaney also emphasised the importance of the facility to the area, saying: “This transaction was very important to ensure Wexford football continues to have a home and a focal point for the game in the south east.
"It was a matter of priority for the FAI to ensure that the facility was not lost to football and I am very pleased that the steps we have taken will ensure that our game can continue to flourish in Wexford.
"The popularity of football in Wexford is unquestioned and many years of hard work, from many people in the football community in the region, has led to the emergence of Wexford Youths as an SSE Airtricity League club who, of course, are looking forward to their first season as a Premier Division side this year."
