Cullybackey Blues celebrate promotion as upgraded floodlights switch on

Pictured (L-R) Cullybackey Blues committee member Ryan O’Neill with TUV Braid Alderman Stewart McDonald

Cullybackey Blues marked a major night for the club and the wider village community on Wednesday as new upgraded floodlights at the club’s pitch were officially welcomed alongside confirmation of the team’s automatic promotion to the Bsml Division 2.

The improvements are expected to allow the club to continue training locally throughout the darker winter months while strengthening its role as a key community organisation in Cullybackey.

TUV Bannside Alderman Stewart McDonald said he visited the pitch on Wednesday evening and praised the completion of the project, which he said he had worked to progress through Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Investment welcomed after push for council support

Alderman McDonald described the upgraded floodlights as an important investment for both the football club and the village.

He said:

“I was over at Cullybackey Blues pitch tonight (Wednesday) and was pleased to see the excellent work completed on upgrading the floodlights.

“I worked on getting the council to progress this project and I am delighted to see it now delivered.

“The investment will allow the club to continue training in the village throughout the winter months and ensure that a club which is playing an important role at the heart of the local community will continue to make a contribution to life in the village.”

The new floodlight installation in Cullybackey

The upgraded lighting comes as many grassroots sports clubs continue to face growing pressure around access to facilities, energy costs and maintaining year-round training opportunities, particularly during winter.

For smaller local clubs, floodlighting can play a crucial role in sustaining youth development, evening training sessions and community participation during the darkest months of the year.

Promotion caps off landmark night for club

The celebrations were made even bigger after Cullybackey Blues secured automatic promotion to the Bsml Division 2 on the same evening.

Alderman McDonald congratulated the team on their achievement, adding:

“With the club securing automatic promotion tonight to the Bsml Division 2 they have plenty to celebrate and I offer them my hearty congratulations.”

The promotion represents another significant step forward for the village club and adds momentum ahead of next season, with the upgraded facilities expected to support both players and coaching staff as preparations continue for football at a higher level.

The floodlight upgrade is also likely to benefit younger players and community users connected to the club, helping ensure football activity can continue locally throughout the year rather than relying on facilities outside the village.

For many grassroots clubs across Northern Ireland, investments in infrastructure are increasingly viewed as essential to maintaining participation levels and supporting long-term sustainability within local sport.