Cliftonville members have voted in favour of a takeover by the Toronto Investment Group (TIG), with new director Conor Devine insisting the historic north Belfast club is "not a plaything" for the investors but a genuine opportunity for growth. Devine, a former Cliftonville player who is one of four new TIG directors, said he believes European nights at Solitude are realistic if the club can capitalise on the investment, and that Cliftonville could eventually move to a full-time model.

Members backed the deal on Monday with 81% in favour, giving TIG a 90% stake in the 147-year-old club while the membership retains the remainder. TIG has pledged to invest £3million over the first 36 months, and the takeover also secures Cliftonville's match funding for stadium improvements under the NI Football Fund, for which the club has applied for more than £6million. Devine stressed that the ground, colours, badge and culture are protected and cannot be sold, and noted the process took over two years after an earlier attempt collapsed in January before talks resumed in June.