Cliftonville can be a 'force to be reckoned with' says director at Toronto Investment Group
One of the key men behind the takeover at Cliftonville believes the Reds can be “a force to be reckoned with” if things plan out correctly at Solitude.
Cliftonville have followed in the footsteps of other Irish League clubs like Larne, Glentoran and Coleraine to give the green light to outside investment – with a multi-million pound deal accepted on Monday night.
The Extraordinary General Meeting produced a majority vote by members beyond the 75% required to pass in favour of a Special Resolution to complete the long-running takeover bid by Toronto Investment Group (TIG).
A £3million-plus figure has been reported, with investment across a three-year period.
One of the key men behind TIG is Conor Devine, who incidentally played for the Reds in his career, as well as stints at Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts.
Cliftonville were last Irish League champions in 2013/14 but Devine reckons those glory days may not be too far away, which would in turn, send the club back into the Champions League qualifiers.
"We make no bones about it, this is not a plaything for us, this is an amazing opportunity,” he told BBC Sport NI.
"From a Cliftonville perspective, Larne were playing a few weeks ago in the Champions League at Inver Park - I want to be back there.
"I sat in this ground when Cliftonville played Celtic in the Champions League, and it was full. Those are the nights I don't think are too far away if we can execute and hit the ground running.
"If everyone buys into this, the community, the members and even the members who were not so sure, collectively as a team and an organisation, other teams and other people right across the island of Ireland will know that Cliftonville is a force to be reckoned with."
The 48-year-old, who is one of four directors at TIG alongside Drew Green, John Muffolini and Ron Davidson, says the prospect of being involved at the north Belfast side “was too good to turn down” and how they have plans to “transform” their home stadium.
He added: "I have been involved in this football club for over 30 years.
"I am from the area, I coach football in the area, I am a season ticket holder and my daughter plays for the club.
"There were lots of reasons for me to want to be part of this amazing development opportunity that has come before us.
"If you ask the other guys, they also have their personal reasons but for me, the opportunity to create a huge amount of positive change in north Belfast was too good to turn down.
"The ground, the colours, the badge and the culture cannot be sold. It was really important to be that they were protected and they are."
On the pitch, Cliftonville will aim to maintain their perfect start to the season as they travel across the city to face Linfield on Friday night.
Jim Magilton’s boys have won their first two fixtures against Crusaders and Bangor to lead the table at this early stage.
Meanwhile, Linfield recovered from their opening day defeat to Ballymena United by beating city rivals Glentoran last weekend.