The famous Donegal soccer team, Finn Harps has announced that it hopes to move into a brand new 6,800 all-seated stadium in 2010.

Harps have done a deal with the trustees of their present ground, a local developer and Donegal County Council.

Work on the €9m project, which will also receive financial backing from the FAI and the government, is expected to begin next month.

The club will be moving less than a mile from its present Finn Park home in Ballybofey to a new ground in Stranorlar.

The sod-turning ceremony has been performed by the outgoing Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety, the local politician, Pat the Cope Gallagher.

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Finn Harps are themselves said to be delighted with the announcement and noted that club shareholders gave the Board a mandate two years ago to proceed with the stadium plans.

Planning permission was obtained in mid 2005. Approval to proceed to tender was obtained from the FAI in early 2006. Local developers, Joseph McMenamin and Sons won the tender process, and their tender was approved a few months ago.

The contractors have indicated that they are anxious to start as soon as contracts are finalised. Hopefully this will be sorted out in the coming months to the satisfaction of the parties involved.

This development is critical to the clubs long-term plans to build sustainable structures for the future in line with UEFA Licensing. As well as the provision of a new stadium, the Club are actively seeking to develop a youth structure in conjunction with local soccer bodies.

(BMcC)