Ulster Unionist Culture Arts & Leisure spokesperson Michael McGimpsey has welcomed assurances that the IFA is actively exploring how to incorporate a Football Museum into the redevelopment of Windsor Park.

The South Belfast MLA said: "At a meeting of the Assembly's Culture, Arts & Leisure committee the IFA gave a presentation with regard to their plans to upgrade Windsor Park.

"I was very pleased to learn from Chief Executive Patrick Wilson that the IFA is actively exploring the possibility of incorporating a Museum into the new East Stand at the Railway End of the ground.

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"This has long been a pet project of mine and I welcome the strong indication from the IFA that local people and visitors alike will be able to visit the Stadium on non-match days and learn the history of the Association and football in Northern Ireland. The Scottish FA has an excellent facility at Hampden Park in Glasgow and a similar one at a redeveloped Windsor Park would be ideal.

"A Museum would be a welcome addition to the new Stadium that will be developed at Windsor Park and I am very confident that it would be an asset to Northern Ireland’s tourist industry."