Fivemiletown Utd FC – Access to the Heart of Club

Aim

We’re aiming to widening access at our facility for safer two-way traffic, disability access and more pitch time for the community & members

Who are we?

Fivemiletown United Football Club, based in the heart of Co. Tyrone, was founded in 1888, making us one of the oldest football clubs in Northern Ireland. For over 135 years, our club has been built on values of community, inclusion and opportunity for all.

Unlike many clubs in our area that only cater for senior players, we pride ourselves on offering football for everyone – from Mini Soccer (P1 upwards) through to senior men’s teams, a social football squad for over 35/40s and an exciting girls’ small-sided games (SSG) programme. Our youth teams compete in the Brendan Keogh Youth League and the Mid Ulster Youth League, while our three senior sides play in the Mid-Ulster Intermediate A and the Fermanagh & Western Leagues.

The club is completely volunteer-run, welcoming people from all walks of life – students, graduates, teenagers, retired people, those in work and those seeking work. Whatever your background or experience, there’s a place for you at Fivemiletown United. Our coaches, many of whom hold IFA and UEFA licences, deliver high-quality programmes that bring together over 180 children across 30 weeks of the year, with weekly sessions often attracting more than 100 young players per night.

We are proud to be one of the first clubs in Northern Ireland to launch a Mental Health Strategy, making wellbeing a central part of our culture alongside football. In 2024, we also opened our brand-new floodlit 4G pitch, which has quickly become a community hub for sport, schools and local events. This facility is used daily by players, families, schools and groups across the area, ensuring the club serves far beyond its own teams.

Our impact and commitment have been recognised with some of the most prestigious awards in sport and community service:

🏆 Irish FA McDonald’s Club of the Year Award (2024)

🏅 Irish FA People & Clubs Accreditation

👑 The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (2021) – the highest recognition for voluntary groups in the UK.

Fivemiletown United isn’t just a football club – it’s a thriving community hub, a place where players, families and volunteers of all ages come together to belong, grow and support one another.

Why are we crowdfunding?

Right now, access to our club is restricted by a narrow single-lane entrance. On busy training nights and matchdays this causes traffic jams, safety concerns and unnecessary stress for families, players and visitors.

Our dedicated volunteers – who should be coaching, mentoring and inspiring the next generation – often end up acting as traffic wardens just to manage the flow of cars. For people with disabilities, parents with prams, or those with reduced mobility, the situation is even tougher. What should be a fun, welcoming visit to the club can quickly become a challenge and at times even unsafe.

That’s why we need your support. By widening the entrance lane to create a safe two-way system and adding disability-friendly access routes, we can transform the way our community experiences the club.

With your help, this project will:

✅ Create a safer environment for cars, families and visitors

✅ Free up our volunteers to focus on football, not traffic duty

✅ Give members and community more time on the pitch with smoother arrivals and departures

✅ Provide better access for people with disabilities, parents with prams, and older supporters

✅ Open our doors wider so every member of the community feels welcome

This project is about more than just development – it’s about removing barriers so everyone can enjoy football, friendship and community life at Fivemiletown United FC.

Here’s what it means to those around us:

“When I bring my daughter in her pram, it can feel unsafe with cars squeezing past. Safer access would make a huge difference for families like ours.” – Local Supporter

“As a parent of two young players, I see first-hand the delays and stress caused by the narrow entrance. A safer two-way system would make every training night and matchday easier and more enjoyable.” – Parent of Youth Players

By supporting this campaign, you’re not just funding materials – you’re freeing up volunteers, giving kids more pitch time, making families feel safe, and ensuring our club is open to everyone in the community.

💡 Please pledge today, share our campaign, and help us open our doors wider to the whole community.

How we’ll spend the money raised

Every penny raised will go directly towards making access to Fivemiletown United safer, smoother, and more welcoming for everyone — from young players and parents to older supporters and those with disabilities.

The £50,000 raised will be used to transform our existing single-lane entrance into a safe two-way access route for vehicles and pedestrians. This vital improvement will ease congestion on busy training nights and matchdays, reduce risks for families walking to the ground, and allow our volunteers to focus on football rather than traffic management.

The project includes:

• Widening the existing lane to create a safe two-way system.

• Removing existing hedging to improve visibility and make space for the wider road.

• Piping and redirecting the existing drain to prevent flooding and ensure proper water flow.

• Adjusting and resurfacing the roadway for a smooth, durable finish.

• Adding kerbing and edging to were required for safety measures.  

All costings include labour, materials and professional site management to ensure the work is completed to the highest safety and quality standards.

This £50,000 investment will make a lasting difference — improving access, safety and inclusivity for everyone who visits our club. It’s about opening our doors wider to the whole community and creating a welcoming environment where every member can feel part of something special.

Community impact

This project isn’t just about football – it’s about our whole community. By improving access, we’re making the Valley Stadium a safe, inclusive and welcoming hub for everyone in Fivemiletown and the surrounding rural areas.

Why it matters:

• Over 250 children currently attend weekly coaching sessions at our club  – smoother access means more pitch time, less waiting time and safer drop-offs.
• We have three senior teams, youth squads, social football and a growing girls’ programme – better access ensures every player can reach training and games safely.
• Our volunteers give hundreds of hours each year, but are often pulled away from coaching to manage traffic. This project will free them to focus on player development, mentoring and community building.
• Our new floodlit 4G pitch already serves as a hub for schools, community groups and local events. Safer access will enable even more groups – from walking football and fitness classes to charity fundraisers – to make use of the facility.
• Rural communities face unique challenges with transport and access. Widening our entrance will help us remove barriers for parents with prams, older relatives and people with disabilities, ensuring no one is excluded.

How it aligns with wider priorities:

• Olympic Legacy Fund– our project supports the fund’s core aims by:
  • Increasing participation in sport and physical activity through safer, easier access.
  • Promoting health, wellbeing, and lifelong participation for people of all ages.
  • Enhancing community infrastructure to leave a long-lasting legacy beyond sport.
• Irish FA Health & Safety Guidance – safe entry and exit points are vital for clubs. This project directly addresses congestion and safety risks, ensuring our facilities meet best practice standards.
• Community Inclusion & Equality – by prioritising accessibility, we support disability sport, gender equality and multi-generational participation, making sure the club is open to all.

The bigger picture:

Fivemiletown Utd FC isn’t just a football club – it’s a lifeline for our rural community. From young children taking their first kicks to older players staying active, from parents on the sidelines to schools and community groups using our 4G pitch, our facilities bring people together every single week.

By improving access, we’re not just solving a traffic problem – we’re unlocking more opportunities for health, wellbeing and community connection for generations to come.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Supported by the Olympic Legacy Fund

This project is proudly supported by the Olympic Legacy Fund (OLF), delivered by Sport NI in partnership with Crowdfunder UK. The OLF empowers community sports clubs like ours to improve facilities, increase participation, and create lasting local impact. Your support, combined with this opportunity, will help us make Fivemiletown United a safer, more accessible, and welcoming place for everyone.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made