Glentoran manager Mick McDermott has blamed squabbling politicians for delivering a "kick in the teeth to our communities" as delays persist over the sub-regional stadia funding.
A major £36m support programme was committed by the NI Executive back in 2015, but seven years on and there has yet to be any progress.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey insists the funding is "ready to go", but added that any release would require sign-off from the Executive which collapsed earlier this month following the resignation of Paul Givan.
McDermott says the ongoing delays are "massively frustrating for everyone".
He told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast: "This (funding) has been about since 2011 and then approved in 2015.
"I can speak briefly about the Oval because this is were I am, but this isn't about the Oval or Glentoran - this is about football.
"I said since the day I arrived that we have third world facilities in the Irish League, and that hasn't changed.
"The Oval was identified in an IFA document in 2011 as the the most unfit for purpose stadium in the country. It has only got worse in the past 10 or 11 years.
"That was an IFA document presented to the Executive.
"People asked why Glentoran were getting this amount of money and other clubs getting that. This wasn't just £10m for Glentoran Football Club, it was £10m to redevelop the Oval.
"Yes, Glentoran play at it, but it was to have a second venue in Northern Ireland as well as the National Stadium to host events. So it was to benefit all football.
"But the way I look at it, the politicians have given a kick in the teeth to our communities.
"I read a recent UEFA report which on social return and investment that football puts into Northern Ireland, and the value of football to the economy here is £470m. This is massive.
"We talk about helping communities and helping improve mental and physical health, and football in one package can wrap up a large part of that."
Around 6,000 fans attended last Friday night's Big Two derby at the Oval.
McDermott says the crunch game - which was live on television - would have been an even bigger spectacle if the facilities had been up to scratch.
He said: "We can't even accommodate our own fans at our own venue. We had to turn away around 2,000 fans the other night for the Big Two game.
"And our fans had to stand in the pouring rain on decrepit terracing in a not fit for purpose venue. But we're not the only ones.
"Cliftonville, Coleraine, Warrenpoint, Portadown, Derry City, Larne. Go through them all, and they all need something.
"And that's what it should be based on. Need, not want. We don't want this, we're not begging here. We need it. We also should look at impact. What impact can you make on your community.
"And every club deserves credit for making an impact in their community."
He added: "This is an investment that the politicians need to look at. Investment in communities and keeping kids off the street.
"Investing in health and wellbeing, mental health, community engagement, reconciliation. Whatever you want to call it. This is what football does.
"This isn't us standing with a begging bowl saying'I want to build a new venue'. No, no. Give to all. Increase the pot and give to all. That's what I would say."
NI Football League chief executive Gerard Lawlor described the latest funding delay as a "slap in the face" for football here.
He also insists Irish League fans deserve answers from the politicians at Stormont.
McDermott expects clubs to continue showing leadership as they bid to get the funding support they feel they deserve.
"I think our clubs have shown leadership. I know since I have been here other clubs have shown leadership and are continually working with their communities," McDermott said.
"They are developing their academies and their social outreach programmes. They are engaging with their local communities all the time.
"So the clubs have already shown leadership, and unfortunately our politicians now are divided. And it sounds like it is being used as a political football.
"Is it for point-scoring or votes? I don't know. I worked in a few countries where it wasn't nice when politics got involved in football.
"It appears here, at this time, there is a political element stopping the progress of football.
"Something needs to be done, because the concern might be when the next election happens and new ministers are voted in, will they agree again or disagree again?"
