The Irish League has posted record-breaking attendance figures and digital growth, official data confirmed.

At the same time, the opening weekend of the Premier League in England has begun, drawing attention from the many Northern Ireland-born fans who follow clubs across the water.

Supporters of the domestic game point to the connection with community as a central appeal of local clubs. Many fans born in Northern Ireland, however, maintain an interest in clubs in the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership as well as the Irish League.

Most football supporters in Northern Ireland hold simultaneous passions for clubs in the Irish League, the Premier League, or the Scottish Premiership, the figures indicate.