William McCrum: Fifa vice-president welcomes funding for penalty inventor's grave

Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce has welcomed the announcement that funding has been made available to refurbish the grave of the Northern Ireland inventor of football's penalty kick.

In 1890, William McCrum from Milford, County Armagh, submitted a proposal for the innovation.

It was later approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Now the IFAB has said FIFA will fund the grave's restoration.

Mr Boyce told BBC News NI that he was delighted funding had been approved and hoped the grave of the former Milford Football Club goalkeeper could become a tourist attraction in the future.

"Northern Ireland supporters had been campaigning to get this grave restored as it had fallen into disrepair," he said.

"I hope eventually this can become a tourist attraction in Northern Ireland for football history fans.

"The legacy of William McCrum is that the penalty kick is still used today and has not been affected, it is something that can never be taken away."

In a statement, the IFAB, which held its annual general meeting in Northern Ireland at the weekend, said it acknowledged the contribution of Mr McCrum, "who, as a member of the Irish FA, proposed the idea of the penalty kick in 1890".

"FIFA has agreed to fund the restoration of William McCrum's grave, which has fallen into disrepair," it added.

Mr McCrum's family cashed in on the linen boom, bringing the industry to the Milford area.

However, he died a pauper in 1932.

His grave is located at St Mark's Parish Churchyard in Armagh City.