How will the men from Derry do this year? Here’s our preview.
Derry City
Colours: Home – Red and White Stripes. Away – Black
Home: The Brandywell
Manager: Roddy Collins
Nickname: The Candystripes
2014 odds: 8/1
Derry City haven’t been champions since 1997. Their loyal fans will tell you that this is too long for a club like their’s to wait. The Derry City board obviously feel the same way which is why they have brought in the enigmatic Roddy Collins (pic below) to spearhead a serious assault on the league crown. The colourful Dubliner, like him or loathe him, gets results. His track record is there for all to see. One of the most experienced and knowledgeable men in Irish football, the appointment of Collins is a serious statement of intent from the men up north.
Roddy hasn’t been sitting on his laurels either, making a few signings in the close season. Notably the capture of Cliff Byrne from Oldham Athletic and also securing the services of Danny Ventre (pic below)from Sligo Rovers which could prove to be a real coup in the season ahead. Ventre of course captained the Bit O’ Red to a cup double in 2010 and also the league title in 2012. There is no doubt that, with Collins at the helm, coupled with the smart signings, Derry City will be a force to be reckoned with this season. The Brandywell faithful haven’t had an awful lot to cheer about recently, but this could be the season they’ve been waiting for.
Players in: Ciaran Gallagher, Roddy Collins Jnr, Cliff Byrne, Aaron Barry, David Elebert, Danny Ventre, Mark Stewart, Enda Curran,
Did You Know?: The artwork on the single cover for The Undertones hit, My Perfect Cousin, had a picture of a figurine wearing a Derry City kit.
Hopes: Derry City have watched neighbours Sligo Rovers have a purple patch over the last few seasons and they will want a piece of the action. We reckon all of the ingredients are there for a very strong season from the Foylesiders. Dark horses for the title.
Player To Watch: Danny Ventre
If they were a big European club: AS Monaco. On and off success from a club which plays in a league outside of it’s geographical juristiction
