Finn Park plastic pitch plans shelved as Finn Harps face some financial pressure

Finn Harps’ plans to replace the pitch at Finn Park have been put on hold - with the club also facing a €90,000 FIFA-ordered payment and a funding shortfall from its membership drive.

It had been hoped that work on tearing up the existing surface in Ballybofey would begin this month following last year’s €394,140 grant under phase two of the Community Sports Facilities Fund, aimed at developing an artificial pitch to aid girls’ football.

In July, a Finn Harps members meeting was briefed on plans for a new pitch, but those plans have now been shelved. This follows a meeting between club officials at the Finn Park Trust, the local group who own the Navenny Street facility.

“We will now look at ripping up the Finn Park pitch, but that will be after the new stadium is completed,” Harkin said. “We have been looking at things like a hybrid pitch.”

Last December, Harps submitted a fresh planning application for the club’s long-awaited new stadium in Stranorlar with the new design, including a capacity of 5,580, featuring additional ancillary accommodation and incorporating a modular building system on three sides.

Work on the Donegal Community Stadium ceased in 2014 and has been beset by a series of delays over the years.

Harkin said the club remains confident of obtaining planning permission for the new proposal soon before contracts would be discussed. 

However, this comes against the backdrop of some financial pressure behind the scenes at the club.

Harkin confirmed that the club has still to discharge payments totalling in the region of €90,000, related to training compensation payments. The payments, ordered by FIFA, relate to historical transfer activity for three players. 

While Harps are believed to have negotiated some refund with other clubs, the payments still have to be discharged in full via FIFA Clearing House - which acts as an intermediary in payments relating to training rewards - to  in the first instance.

A recent fundraising draw is understood to have raised between €30-€40,000, but bills have stacked up at the club of late.

Season ticket sales dropped to €44,000 in 2025 from €53,000 in 2024 while UEFA solidarity payments to second tier clubs were drastically cut.

Harps’ new membership scheme fell well short of its intended target. Harps had hoped to have 5,000 members by June, but just 1,700 signed up – leaving a hole of €83,000 in the coffers.

Harkin, who reiterated the belief that Harps need to have a full-time CEO - “I am pretty much doing it full-time and can’t keep doing that” - added: “Memberships haven’t worked out how we had hoped. It will be up to the shareholders to see how that works out now; do we increase it or what do we do?

“We probably have to ask a question whether €25 is enough for memberships if you look at Bohs and Shamrock Rovers who have schemes costing in the €200 ballpark. Renewals notices for memberships will go out soon and season tickets and new jerseys will also be coming on stream.”

Harps officials aim to have their 2025 accounts finalised in the coming days with an annual general meeting likely be called in the next month.

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Harps have 17 players under contract for 2026, one of the largest amounts ever on a ‘retained’ list by the club at the end of the season. Pre-season training for the 2026 season is expected to get underway in December with boss Kevin McHugh set to get to work early.

“We will see consistency now with the retained list giving us a large group of players who know how the manager wants to play,” Harkin said. “We know Kevin wants to put his own stamp on things too.”