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15:56 GMT, Friday, 18 April 2008 16:56 UK

Campaign to be at Windsor - Wells

IFA chief executive Howard Wells

IFA chief executive Howard Wells has reassured World Cup block booking scheme members that all home qualifying games will be staged at Windsor Park.

Some supporters had expressed concern that games may have been moved because of concerns over the stadium's future as a venue for international fixtures.

"By locking into the block booking scheme the IFA are locking into Windsor Park for the period of this campaign.

"The fans need assurance and they are receiving that assurance," said Wells.

"We have been waiting for months and months to find out what is going to happen regarding a new stadium and we have now taken a clear position.

"One of the reasons for the delay was not knowing about the stadium issue but we are now giving an assurance that if people lock into the scheme, they can be sure that the forthcoming campaign will be played at Windsor Park.

"We have to be consistent with our block booking scheme."

Wells went on to defend the price of the new block booking scheme, adding that the IFA "had to be run as a business".

"We have been loyal to the block booking system and those who have been in it for some time despite pressure from others to open the World Cup qualifiers up to those who were not previously part of the scheme.

"We do not require payment until the end of June and looking at the relative cost of international football matches elsewhere, we have to charge what we think are reasonable prices.

"If we had a much larger stadium, we could charge less for tickets, but that is not the case."

Supporters' spokesman Gary McAllister said he "welcomed" the IFA's commitment to Windsor Park for the forthcoming campaign but said the fans needed "clarity and consistency".

"Six months ago we were being told there was a real danger that matches would have to be played away from Windsor Park, or that part of the stadium may have to be closed. We need the IFA to stand over their commitment."

McAllister also voiced concern over the ending of the two-part payment scheme for block booking tickets as it meant fans had to pay for all the World Cup qualifying tickets at once.




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Wells says more revenue is needed (07 Feb 08 |  Irish )

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