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FDC announces Belfast Celtic YM link

Cliftonville Football Development Centre are delighted to announce an exciting partnership with Belfast Celtic Young Men & Ladies Football Club.

The affiliation will see both Clubs working together to develop young players to the best of their potential, with talents in the Belfast Celtic YM & Ladies structure being afforded a formal opportunity to progress into the Irish League with the Reds.

Cliftonville already have a successful alliance with St Malachy’s in North Belfast and are very pleased to have an official partner in the west of the city.

Head of Youth Development Marc Smyth said: “I’m delighted with this partnership. We hope to work with Belfast Celtic Young Men & Ladies sharing the Club’s vision and philosophies and working together on coach education programmes and with players.

“We also will host Belfast Celtic Cubs at numerous first-team games throughout the year with young players from both sides playing on the pitch at half-time.

“The most important part of the partnership is the player pathway. From Under-12 up, players who are excelling at Belfast Celtic Cubs will be offered the chance to join Cliftonville, with both Clubs hoping to develop young players to reach their full potential and play Irish League football.

“I’m personally delighted with progressing the partnership as it has been really successful lately, growing the fonaCAB Development League and having Belfast Celtic as a second venue, and this is the next step.

“We look forward to kicking off the partnership this season and are delighted to be working alongside St Malachy’s and Belfast Celtic Young Men & Ladies.”

Ryan Whelan of Belfast Celtic YM explained: “We are extremely happy, this is a partnership that has been in fruition for quite some time and we are glad to finally get it over the line.

“We have been working with Cliftonville FDC and Marc Smyth for almost a year now in helping to facilitate the biggest development programme in the country and now having this agreement will only help us progress as a Club.

“Our coaches and kids will only benefit from this partnership and will allow players to participate at the top level when they are ready. Being linked to a top Irish League Club and academy will only help us push on with our plans in the future.”