Kennedy steps down

THE Irish FA would like to announce that Raymond Kennedy has agreed with the wishes of the Council, as he always said he would do, and step aside in his current role as President of the Irish Football Association with immediate effect.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Oct 2010, 15:40 BST

Updated 19th Oct 2010, 15:41 BST

Mr Kennedy will continue in his role on the Irish FA Council and will fulfil a small number of previously arranged engagements over the coming days.

The Limavady man said: "I have given over 50 years of service to football in Northern Ireland and I have enjoyed every minute.

"It has been an honour and privilege to represent the Association locally and internationally and I would like to wish the Irish FA all the best in the years ahead."

"I would like to thank the Council members, member clubs, the staff at the Irish FA and the football fans for all the support they have given me in the past.

"I fully understand the concerns of all regarding future funding and as I have always maintained in the past I will never put this in jeopardy."

The Association will now put in motion the process to elect a successor.

Northern Ireland Limavady