New Goodyear Community Fund Launched to support grassroots groups in Lurgan and Craigavon

6 Jan 2026

A new community grant fund has been launched to support grassroots organisations across the greater Lurgan and Craigavon area, celebrating the legacy of the former Goodyear Sports & Social Club.

Managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI), the Goodyear Community Fund has been established to distribute the net proceeds from the sale of the original Goodyear Sports & Social Club building, ensuring a positive and lasting legacy for the local community.

The Goodyear Sports & Social Club was founded in 1977 by workers from the Goodyear factory in Craigavon. The club building opened in 1982 and, despite the factory’s closure shortly afterwards, the club continued to provide valued sports and social facilities for the community for over four decades, before winding down its activities in June 2024.

Speaking on the launch of the fund Trustee Stephen Moore from the Goodyear Community Fund said:  

“We are delighted to announce this new Goodyear Community fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

“Building on the original ethos of the club, the fund is aimed at supporting local voluntary and community groups working to promote sport, arts, health and wellbeing, and cross-community engagement.

“The Goodyear Community fund is launched in celebration of the contribution of voluntary groups and people locally and the vital role they play in strengthening local communities.  The hope is to continue to promote their positive legacy through the support of these groups and recognising the outstanding work they carry out.”

Speaking from the Community Foundation, Richard Rogers, Grants Manager at the Community Foundation said:  

“This fund will make a real difference in the Lurgan and Craigavon areas and is a welcome boost to the area, whilst also building a lasting legacy to the work that the Goodyear Sports & Social Club carried out locally.

“The fund will promote cross-community collaboration and inclusion and help to address local needs in the fields of sports, arts, or charitable activities that enhance health & wellbeing.”