Wednesday 15 December 1999

Christmas has come early for six Scottish football clubs following an announcement today by sportscotland and the Football Trust.

The funding partnership has made offers totalling £1,572,500 to Hibernian, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Livingston, Ross County and Dumbarton Football Clubs to carry out essential safety work at their stadia.

The funding package, which is made up of awards and loans, will help the clubs to meet requirements of the ‘Green Guide’, which sets down sports ground safety requirements in line with the recommendations of the Taylor Report.

The partnership funding package announced today is as follows:

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said:  "The awards announced today will help to ensure the safety and comfort of spectators at football matches.

"sportscotland, through its Lottery Fund, and the Football Trust formed a partnership in 1998 to fund essential safety work at clubs in the four Scottish football divisions.  So far, including today’s announcement, over £3million has been invested in stadia around Scotland since 1998."

Tom Wharton OBE commented:  "I am delighted that the Trust has once again been able to make such a major contribution towards Scottish football.

"£1,572,500 of partnership funding has been allocated to these six clubs for essential safety work at their stadia which will ensure the very best facilities for their supporters to enjoy.

"These projects show how the Trust’s partnership with sportscotland is working successfully for the benefit of Scottish football."

• Over £100 million has been invested through the Lottery Fund since 1995 in all areas of Scottish sport including youth and school sport, coaching, talented athletes, major events and sports facilities and equipment.
• The Football Trust has invested some £75 million at all levels of Scottish football.