Derry City and Crusaders have taken legal action to challenge the allocation of the £36.2m ‘Northern Ireland Football Fund’ (TNIFF). Of the 38 clubs in the top three divisions of the NI Football League (NIFL), only three chose not to apply (Strabane Athletic, Moyola Park, and Harland & Wolff Welders). That left 35 NIFL applicants, plus League of Ireland’s Derry City and Women’s Premiership team Lisburn Rangers. Not one of the five senior and intermediate clubs who applied from Co Derry was successful (Derry City, Coleraine, Limavady United, Institute and Portstewart). Without this, the allocation of public funds will continue to result in significant geographical gaps – as evidenced by the NI Football Fund.