Derry City have confirmed that they, along with Northern Irish Premiership outfit Crusaders, will start legal proceedings to challenge both clubs' exclusion from Stage 2 of the Northern Ireland Football Fund process.
The long-mooted fund, which aims to improve sporting stadia and infrastructure in the North, was greenlit last January when the Northern Ireland Executive announced that clubs could apply for a share of just over £36m (€41.5m).
Forty-one clubs were eligible to go for the funding, with 38 applying, and 20 successfully progressed to Stage 2.
There are three tiers of funding available: large projects (£6m-plus); medium projects (£1.5m–£6m); and smaller projects (less than £1.5m).
The Candystripes and Crusaders have missed out completely, with both confirming they now intend to lodge legal proceedings to challenge their omissions.
"Derry City FC have made the decision to join with Crusaders FC to commence legal proceedings to challenge the exclusion of both clubs from Stage 2 of the Northern Ireland Football Fund process," Derry posted on social media platform X on Wednesday night. "We believe we were left with no other option."
In a statement, Crusaders said: "Following an extra-ordinary general meeting of Crusaders Football Club members on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, Crusaders FC have determined to join Derry City FC to commence legal proceedings to challenge the exclusion of both clubs from Stage 2 of the Northern Ireland Football Fund."
Derry had hoped to put the money towards the completion of the Mark Farren Stand, as well as improving their pitch and floodlights at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
They are the only club based in the six counties that plays in the League of Ireland rather than the Northern Ireland Football League.
Derry withdrew from the then Irish League in 1972 after being forced to play home games in Coleraine due to security concerns, and joined the League of Ireland 13 years later.
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