Smyth: Councillors united on need to act on St. Julian's Road

Omagh Town councillor Chris Smyth says all councillors would be united on the issue of redeveloping dilapidated stadium.

Ulster Unionist councillor for Omagh Town, Chris Smyth says all local councillors would be "united" in saying "things can't stay the same" when it comes to the issue of redeveloping the former home of Omagh Town FC - St. Julian's Road.

Smyth made the comments to Q radio after visiting the now-derelict football ground earlier this week.

"I think the only thing we can be absolutely united on is that: it can't stay the same," he told Q radio.

"It's too big an area, it's of too much significance to be left just to fall into ruin," he added.

St. Julian's Road was once the hub of the local footballing community - a venue that once played host to the might of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. But those heady days are long-gone - Omagh Town (the stadium's last tenants) folded in 2005.

Since then the grounds have become overgrown and the pitch's bordering stands are now adorned with graffiti - not expectant fans. 

"The Town"'s former home is now the town's 'eyesore' - a fact not lost on Cllr. Smyth or others. He says a recent spate of fires in the area means he's growing concerned St. Julian's too could be targeted.

"We have to make use of these areas otherwise, as we have seen, there's been a number of fires recently in derelict areas [Scott's Mill and the Omagh Boys and Girl's Club]," he said.

Though various solutions and uses have been proposed for the site, Cllr. Smyth says he's only sure of one thing when it comes to lending the now-dilapidated a new lease of life.

"I want this done right. I want it to be done in such a way that we will have sustained use of whatever it will be - the upkeep becomes less important, you know, there's people about it - and then people won't have to worry about it as much," he said.