by Gráinne Connolly
Crusaders FC is investing £1.2 million pounds to transform it's former social club into an education centre.
It's aiming to help people in North Belfast gain qualifications and tackle long term employment issues.
The initiative is being supported by the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) and the Social Investment Fund (SIF).
Work's already started on the hub called the 'McDonald Centre', after Crusaders legend Roy McDonald, and is due to open at the end of the year.
Once it's finished it will be run in partnership with the Hubb Resource Centre.
The collaboration aims to address social deprivation and reduce the impacts of low aspirations, negative peer pressures and residual paramilitarism influence in the area.
Mark Langhammer, Crusaders FC Vice-Chair, says the club's been part of the community since 1898 and this is they're way of providing something to benefit people:
Phelim Sharvin, the Associate Director at UCIT said, "This investment by one of Northern Ireland's most successful football clubs, will provide an invaluable resource to the local community in the drive to tackle issues which have blighted the area in recent years.
"The club is already involved in a number of community initiatives and this further enhances their social impact in the area.
"The new centre will give people of all ages the chance to further their education and help them get on the employment ladder.
"With the backing of leading education providers, people will have the access to the resources and mentoring they need to succeed."
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