Finn Harps have launched a crowd-funding scheme to help bring their Finn Park home up to standard to host SSE Airtricity League games when football resumes.
The Donegal club want to ensure that - even without fans present - their Ballybofey stadium will be HSE/Public Health compliant.
Harps say they have been in ongoing discussions with the FAI, and that a proposal for return of the SSE Airtricity League this season was received by the club on Thursday evening (June 11).
An actual return date is yet to be decided, and it's bound to be reliant on the financial package on offer to the clubs from the FAI.
The prospect of using neutral venues when games resume remains a very real one, but Harps hope it won't have to come to that.
A Harps statement says, "The prospect of playing ‘home’ matches somewhere other than Finn Park would be a significant additional cost both financially and in terms of its practical impact on our mainly part-time players and management and something we wish to avoid if at all possible."
They've set a target of €30,000 on a GoFundMe page to help bring Finn Park up to snuff.
The size of the current dressing rooms appears to be one of the primary issues at Finn Park.
"Our Infrastructure Coordinator has carried out an assessment of the stadium in line with public health guidance and protocols in place in other leagues where football had returned," Harps say, "And we have identified that if we are to be in a position to host matches, even without supporters, we will need to carry out substantial works in the short term to operate in accordance in line with Government and HSE Guidance, including provision of additional changing room space."
Harps have added extra incentives for those willing to donate.
"All donors of any amount will be entered into a draw for a 2020 club jersey signed by the current squad, and a pair of tickets for the next Republic of Ireland home match at which spectators are allowed," they say
"In addition, any donations of €50 or more will have the donor entered into the club’s 500 club draw for the corresponding period and have a chance to win a weekly prize fund of €500.
Details of the Finn Harps GoFundMe page can be found here.
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