Paul Millar says Glentoran will be fighting their corner for the funds needed to help redevelop The Oval as things have now "gone beyond the sticking plaster stage".

Last week's announcement from the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons that applications are now open for the long-awaited NI Football Fund was widely welcome by all in the Irish League.

Over 40 clubs are eligible to apply for a share of the £36.2m on the table with some clubs' need greater than others. The Glens Sporting Director Millar feels any development to the stadium will not only benefit the club but the community as a whole.

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"I made my debut for Glentoran as an 18-year-old back in 1985 and The Oval is still the same," he said. "We haven't received any capital funding since the place got rebuilt after it was bombed during the war.

"It's gone beyond the sticking plaster stage now, a lot of it's demolition time now. There is a desperate need of funds to come to Glentoran as there is for other Irish League clubs.

"Over the years we haven't been able to avail of funding but we'll be fighting our corner this time like everyone else. To be fair to the minister he said he was going to get the ball rolling on this and he's done it.

"I don't think there will be the funds to build a new stadium but there definitely will be to transform the existing one. This isn't just about a football ground, it's about a community hub and our plans will incorporate a lot of the community stuff we do.

"My work background is community based and we've 30 community partners in east Belfast. Our social impact report would blow you away with the work that is going on with all sectors and people in east Belfast and beyond."

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