Derry City F.C.
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2008-07-14T14:56:28Z
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/* History */ spelling correction - 'rivalies'
{{Featured article}}
{{Football club infobox |
clubname = Derry City |
image = [[Image:Derrycityfc.png|90px|Derry City FC crest]]|
fullname = Derry City Football Club |
nickname = The Candystripes |
founded = 1928 |
ground = [[The Brandywell]],<br />[[Derry]], [[Northern Ireland]] |
capacity = 7,700 (2,900 seats)|
chairman = [[Pat McDaid]] |
manager = [[Stephen Kenny (football)|Stephen Kenny]]
| league = [[FAI League of Ireland]]
| season = [[Football League of Ireland 2006|2006]]|
position = 2nd |
pattern_la1=_red stripes|pattern_b1=_red stripes|pattern_ra1=_red stripes|
leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=FFFFFF|
pattern_la2=_white_stripes|pattern_b2=_3stripesonwhite|pattern_ra2=_white_stripes|
leftarm2=33CCFF|body2=33CCFF|rightarm2=33CCFF|shorts2=000000|socks2=FFFFFF|
}}
'''Derry City Football Club''' ({{lang-ga|'''Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire'''}}, {{IPA2|kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə}}) is an [[Ireland|Irish]] [[football (soccer)|football]] club based in [[Derry]], [[Northern Ireland]]. It plays in the [[FAI Premier Division]], the top tier of [[FAI League of Ireland|league football]] in the [[Republic of Ireland]], and is the only participating club from Northern Ireland. The club's home ground is the [[Brandywell]] and the team wears red and white striped shirts from which its nickname, '''the Candystripes''', derives.<ref>[http://albionroad.com/club-histories/the-history-of-derry-city.html Derry City], ''Albion Road'', 2007. Retrieved on [[8 June]] [[2007]].</ref> Others refer to the club as '''the Red and White Army''' or abbreviate the name to '''Derry''' or '''City'''.<ref>"[http://www.gettogether.at/derry/index.php/content/view/175/101/ Derry City 4-0 Sligo Rovers]", ''GetTogether.at'', [[17 October]] [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[8 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
The club, founded in 1928, initially played in the [[Irish League]], the domestic league in Northern Ireland, and won a title in 1964–65. In 1971, security concerns related to [[The Troubles|unrest in Northern Ireland]] meant matches could not be played at the Brandywell. The team played "home" fixtures {{convert|30|mi|km}} away in [[Coleraine]]. Security forces withdrew their objections to the use of the Brandywell the following year, but in the face of insistence from the Irish League that the unsustainable arrangement continue, the club withdrew from the league. After 13 years in junior football, they joined the [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland's]] new First Division for 1985–86. Derry won the First Division title and achieved promotion to the Premier Division in 1987, and have remained there since. The club went on to win a domestic [[The Treble|treble]] in 1988–89 and the Premier Division again in 1996–97.
==History==
{{main|History of Derry City F.C.}}
[[Image:DerryCity1965.jpg|thumb|The staff and squad of Derry City in 1965.]]
Founded in 1928, the club decided against using the official title of the city — [[Derry-Londonderry name dispute|Londonderry]] — in their name,<ref>[[Irish nationalists|Nationalists]] generally refer to the city as "Derry", while [[Unionism (Ireland)|unionists]] often term it "Londonderry". In 1928, however, the name dispute was not as politicised as it is today. See: "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6213890.stm City name row lands in High Court]", ''[[BBC News]]'', [[2006-12-06]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> while also deciding against continuing the name of the city's previous main club, [[Derry Celtic F.C.|Derry Celtic]], so as to be more inclusive to all football fans in the city.<ref name=History>[http://derrycityfc.net/history/concise/index.php Derry City FC - A Concise History]. ''CityWeb'', 2006. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref><ref name=Collins>Collins, Conor. [http://albionroad.com/club-histories/the-history-of-derry-city.html A History of Derry City]. ''Albion Road'', 2006. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref><ref>Including "[[Celt]]ic" in the club's name would have been perceived as being a strong statement of [[Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist]] identity and could have alienated or proved unpopular with the minority [[Protestant]] community in the city.</ref> Derry City were granted entry into the [[Irish League]] in 1929 as professionals and were given permission by the [[Derry City Council|Londonderry Corporation]] to use the [[municipal]] [[Brandywell Stadium]].<ref name=History/> The club's first significant success came in 1935 when they lifted the [[City Cup (Northern Ireland)|City Cup]].<ref>[http://www.derrycityfc.net/history/honours.php Derry City FC - Honours List]. ''CityWeb''. Retrieved on [[2007-04-29]].</ref> They repeated the feat in 1937, but did not win another major trophy until 1949, when they beat [[Glentoran F.C.|Glentoran]] to win their first [[Irish Cup]].<ref>"[http://derrycityfc.net/history/legends/ifa1949.php The Great Cup Breakthrough]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> They won the Irish Cup for a second time in 1954, beating Glentoran again,<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/1129/derrycity1.html Derry City's FAI Cup history]. ''[[rte.ie|RTÉ Sport]]'', [[2006-11-29]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-29]].</ref> and for a third time in 1964 — that year also winning the [[Gold Cup (Northern Ireland)|Gold Cup]] — despite the club's conversion to part-time status after the [[History of football (soccer)#From amateurism to professionalism|abolishment of the maximum wage]] in 1961. This led to the club's first entry into European competition, in the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1964-65|1964–65 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]], in which they were beaten by [[FC Steaua Bucureşti|Steaua Bucharest]] 5–0 on aggregate.<ref>[http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season=1964/round=770/index.html UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: Season 1964–65 preliminary round]. ''UEFA.com'', [[2006-12-23]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-08]].</ref> The club won the 1964–65 Irish League and subsequently became the first Irish League team to win a European tie over two legs, beating [[Lyn Oslo|FK Lyn]] 8–6 on aggregate in the [[European Cup 1965-66|1965–66 European Cup]].<ref>"[http://derrycityfc.net/history/legends/fklyn65.php Derry City vs FK Lyn]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Derry did not complete the next round, as the [[Irish Football Association]] (IFA) declared their ground as not up to standard,<ref name=History/> even though a game had been played there during the previous round. Derry suspected [[sectarianism|sectarian]] motives,<ref name=McGuinness>Campbell, Denis. "[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,468041,00.html My team - Derry City: An interview with Martin McGuinness]", ''[[The Guardian]]'', [[2001-04-08]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> as they played in a mainly [[Irish nationalism|nationalist]] city and so had come to be supported largely by [[Catholics]]. The IFA, [[Belfast]]-based, was a cultural focal point of [[The troubles#Northern Ireland - A "Protestant State"? 1925–1968|Protestant Northern Ireland]] and it was widely suspected that it would rather have been represented by a traditionally [[Unionism (Ireland)|unionist]] team.<ref name=Cronin>Cronin, Mike (2000). {{PDFlink|[http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/ISS/ISS2201/ISS2201d.pdf Catholics and Sport in Northern Ireland: Exclusiveness or Inclusiveness?]|91.6 [[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 93825 bytes -->}}, International Sports Studies, De Montfort University, Leicester, England, vol. 21, no. 1 (2001), p. 25–38. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref><ref>Burdsley, Daniel & Chappell, Robert. [http://physed.otago.ac.nz/sosol/v6i1/v6i1_1.html Soldiers, sashes and shamrocks: Football and social identity in Scotland and Northern Ireland], Sociology of Sport Online, Brunel University, UK. Retrieved on [[2007-05-11]].</ref> Relations between the club and IFA quickly deteriorated.<ref name=Bradley2>Bradley, Steve. "[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=379437& Derry ponder a French Revolution]", ''[[ESPN]]soccernet'', [[2006-09-14]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-11]].</ref>
There had been no significant history of sectarian difficulties at matches in the first 40 years of the club's history, but in 1969 the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association|Civil Rights]] campaign against Northern Ireland's government disintegrated into communal violence, ushering in 30 years of the [[The Troubles|Troubles]].<ref name=Bradley>Bradley, Steve. "[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=325744&cc=5739 Football's last great taboo?]", ''ESPNsoccernet'', [[2005-02-22]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Despite the social and political unrest, Derry still managed to perform, reaching the [[Irish Cup]] final in 1971, in which they were beaten 3–0 by [[Lisburn Distillery F.C.|Distillery]].<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nilcuphist.html Northern Ireland - Cup Finals]. ''[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> As the [[Irish republicanism|republican]] locality surrounding the Brandywell saw some of the worst violence, numerous unionist-supported clubs were reluctant to play there. The [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC) ruled the zone unsafe for fixtures and with the use of no other local ground feasible, Derry had to travel to the majority [[Unionism (Ireland)|unionist]] town of [[Coleraine]], over {{convert|30|mi|km}} away, to play their "home" games at the [[The Showgrounds (Coleraine)|Showgrounds]]. This situation lasted from September 1971 until October 1972 when, faced with dwindling crowds (most Derry fans were unwilling to travel to Coleraine due to the political situation and the longer journey) and dire finances, the club formally requested permission to return to the Brandywell. Despite a new assessment by the security forces concluding that the Brandywell was no longer any more dangerous than any other league ground and a lifting of the security ban, football rivalries were seen as echoing of the wider sectarian nature of Northern Irish society and Derry's proposal fell by one vote at the hands of their fellow [[Irish League]] teams.<ref name=Bradley/> Continuing without a ground was seen as unsustainable and on Friday [[13 October]], [[1972]] Derry withdrew from the league amidst a perception that they were effectively forced out while a [[persecution complex|complex of victimisation and marginalisation]] developed within the nationalist community behind the club.<ref name=History/><ref name=Wilderness>{{cite book |
author=[[Eddie Mahon|Mahon, Eddie]] |
title=Derry City |
publisher=Guildhall Press |
year=1998 |
pages=p. 124 |
id= }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |
author=Hassan, David |
title=Soccer and Society |
publisher=Routledge |
year=2002 |
pages=vol. 3, no. 3, "People Apart: Soccer, Identity and Irish Nationalists in Northern Ireland", pp. 65–83 |
id=ISSN 1466-0970 }}</ref>
The club continued as a junior team during the 13-year long [[The Wilderness Years (Derry City F.C.)|"wilderness years"]], playing in the local Saturday morning league, and sought re-admission to the Irish League.<ref name=Wilderness/> Each time, the club nominated the Brandywell as its chosen home-ground but the Irish League refused re-admission. Suspecting refusal was driven by sectarianism,<ref name=McGuinness/> and believing they would never gain re-admission, Derry turned their attentions elsewhere.<ref name=Bradley/>
===Entry into the League of Ireland===
[[Image:DCFCProg.jpg|thumb|The [[Traditions of Derry City F.C.#Match-day programme|official programme]] from a home game against [[Sligo Rovers]] on [[17 November]], [[1985]] in Derry City's first [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] season.]]
Derry applied to join the reorganised [[Football League of Ireland]] (the league in the [[Republic of Ireland]]) in 1985 with the Brandywell as their home. The move required special dispensation from the [[Irish Football Association|IFA]] and [[FIFA]], but eventually Derry were admitted to the league's new First Division for 1985, joining as semi-professionals.<ref name=History/> As their stadium was situated in a staunchly [[Irish republicanism|republican]] area once known as "[[Free Derry]]", with a history of scepticism towards the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|RUC]] in the local community,<ref name=Bradley/> Derry received special permission from [[UEFA]] to steward their own games. The presence of the RUC was regarded as more likely to provoke trouble than help prevent it.<ref>[http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/reports/000703.htm Football: Sectarianism]. [[Eugene McMenamin]] [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLA]], Northern Ireland Assembly Reports, [[2000-07-03]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The policy continues today and although effective, has, along with the participation in the Republic's league, confirmed Derry's identity as a [[Irish nationalist|nationalist]] club, alienating many original or potential Protestant supporters.<ref name=Bradley/>
Derry's first match in the new system was a 3–1 [[Football League of Ireland Cup|League Cup]] win over [[Home Farm F.C.|Home Farm]] of [[Dublin]] at the Brandywell on [[8 September]], [[1985]].<ref>"[http://derrycityfc.net/history/legends/homefarm85.php Derry City 3 - 1 Home Farm]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The return of senior football to Derry attracted large crowds.<ref name=History/> Later in the season, after turning professional, they won the [[League of Ireland First Division Shield]] with a 6–1 aggregate victory over [[Longford Town FC|Longford Town]].<ref>"[http://derrycityfc.net/history/legends/shield86.php Historic Shield Victory for City]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The following year — 1987 — Derry won the First Division and promotion to the Premier Division,<ref>"[http://derrycityfc.net/history/legends/first87.php First League Title in LOI]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> staying there since. The club reached the 1988 [[FAI Cup]] final, but lost to [[Dundalk F.C.|Dundalk]]. The next season — 1988–89 — the club were financially forced to revert to semi-professional status but [[Jim McLaughlin (football manager)|Jim McLaughlin's]] side managed to win a [[The Treble|treble]]; the league, the [[Football League of Ireland Cup|League Cup]] and the [[FAI Cup]]. Qualifying for the [[European Cup 1989-90|1989–90 European Cup]], they met past winners, [[Benfica]], in the First Round.<ref name=History/>
===Modern highs and lows===
[[Image:Beckettbarca.jpg|thumb|left|[[Gary Beckett]] (left) in action for Derry City against [[F.C. Barcelona]] at the [[Brandywell]] in 2003.]]
Since 1989, Derry have won the Premier Division once — in 1996–97 — but have been runners-up on three occasions. They added three more FAI Cups to their tally in 1995, 2002 and 2006 and were runners-up in 1994 and 1997, and won six further [[Football League of Ireland|League Cups]].<ref>[http://derrycityfc.net/history/honours.php Honours list]. ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> [[Image:Derry 0161.jpg|thumb|The Derry City team lined up prior to their game with [[Sligo Rovers]] in the 2006 [[FAI Cup]] semi-final at the [[Showgrounds]], [[Sligo]] on [[29 October]].]]However, the club has also been beset by financial problems and was on the verge of bankruptcy due to an unpaid tax bill in 2000. An extensive fund-raising effort was undertaken by local celebrities and the city's people to save the club from extinction.<ref>Proby, Johnny. "[http://www.rte.ie/sport/2000/0907/soccer11.html Derry City defeated Bohemians tonight in unusual circumstances]", ''[[RTÉ|RTÉ.ie]]'', [[2000-09-07]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Derry played high-profile friendlies against clubs such as [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]],<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/953092.stm Payback time for O'Neill]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2000-10-02]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-06]].</ref> [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]],<ref>Jackson, Lyle. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/bbc_pundits/2368247.stm The belief of Derry]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2002-10-28]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/football/3140737.stm Busy Derry take on Barca]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2003-08-12]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> and [[Real Madrid]]<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/northern_ireland/1457149.stm The Real thing for Derry City]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2001-07-25]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> to raise extra money. This helped keep the club in operation, but difficulties remained and Derry nearly lost their Premier Division place in 2003 when they finished ninth and had to contest a two-legged relegation-promotion play-off with [[Northwest Derby|local rivals]], [[Finn Harps]] of [[Donegal]]. However, Derry won the game 2–1 on aggregate after extra-time at the Brandywell and remained in the top-flight, avoiding further damage.<ref>Ramsay, Bartley & Dullaghan, Rodney. "[http://finnharps.openhosts.com/history.htm Finn Harps Club History]", ''FinnHarps.com'', 2006. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref>
With finances secured, the club became the first in Ireland to be awarded a premier UEFA licence in 2004.<ref>O'Neill-Cummins, Mark. "[http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0228/uefalicences.html First Premier licence is awarded]", ''RTÉ.ie'', [[2004-02-28]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Derry re-introduced professional football and their form improved,<ref>Allen, Jeremiah. [http://www.a2zsoccer.com/index.cfm/loc/2-5/articleId/0D160C91-C353-7383-2FFF9AC864A155CB.htm Ireland News], ''A2Z Soccer'', [[2007-03-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> as they finished second in 2005.<ref>[http://www.soccerbot.com/fai/tables/irprem2005.htm eircom Premier League 2005]. ''Soccerbot.com'', 2005. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Derry's 2005 League Cup victory also saw the club qualify for the cross-border [[Setanta Cup]] for the first time in 2006.<ref>Derry City's participation in the competition marked the competitive return of largely [[Unionism (Ireland)|unionist]]-supported sides to the [[Brandywell]] for the first time since 1972. See: Kelly, Ritchie. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/6394099.stm Focus on Fenlon], ''BBC Sport Online; BBC Radio Foyle'', [[25 February]] [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[8 June]] [[2007]]; [http://www.derrycityfc.net/history/records/setantacup.php Derry City FC - Setanta Sports Cup History]. ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> They entered the [[UEFA Cup 2006-07|2006–07 UEFA Cup's]] preliminary rounds, beating [[IFK Göteborg]] and [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]] to reach the First Round where they faced [[Paris Saint-Germain]];<ref name=Bradley2/> after a home 0–0 draw they lost 2–0 away.<ref>Jackson, Lyle. "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/5384114.stm PSG 2-0 Derry City (agg: 2-0)]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2006-09-28]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Derry finished second again in 2006,<ref>"[http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/1117/derrycity2.html Derry win but must settle for second]", ''RTÉ Sport'', [[2006-11-17]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> but went on to win the FAI Cup and League Cup [[The Double|double]].<ref>"[http://www.irishfootballonline.com/news/5784.html Derry triumph after Lansdowne Road drama]", ''Irish Football Online'', [[2006-12-03]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.irishfootballonline.com/news/5402.html Jennings the hero as Derry retain League Cup]", ''Irish Football Online'', [[2006-09-18]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> They qualified for the 2007 [[Setanta Cup]], as well as the preliminary rounds of the 2007–08 [[UEFA Champions League]],<ref>Derry City had initially qualified for the qualifying rounds of the [[UEFA Cup 2007-08|2007–08 UEFA Cup]] by way of their 2006 [[FAI Cup]] win but took their position in the [[UEFA Champions League 2007-08|2007–08 UEFA Champions League]] after the 2006 [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] champions, [[Shelbourne F.C.|Shelbourne]] opted out of competing. They feared they would fail to be awarded a licence to compete because of their financial problems and were worried that their participation would prove detrimental to the [[UEFA coefficients|UEFA coefficient]] of the league as they had to release their whole first-team prior to the 2007 season and form a team of mainly youngsters. See: "[http://www.ireland.com/sports/soccer/2007/0330/1175003521034.html Shels opt out of Champions League]", ''[[The Irish Times]]'', [[2007-03-30]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> and were accepted into the restructured [[FAI Premier Division]] for 2007.<ref>Membership of the 2007 [[FAI Premier Division]] was decided by the awarding of points for fulfilling [[FAI League of Ireland 2007 season#The Independent Assessment Group, their decision and resulting controversy|on-field and off-field criteria]] determined by the [[FAI|FAI's]] Independent Assessment Group other than just points attained during the previous season. Derry were awarded 830 points — the highest of all the teams included. See: [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/ier06.html Ireland 2006]. ''The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation'', 2006. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The club had a disppointing league campaign last season, finishing 7<sup>th</sup> despite being pre-season favourites.<ref>"[http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/features/elfdave1.html Eircom League Focus]", ''RTÉ Sport'', [[2007-04-17]]. Retrieved on [[2008-01-03]].</ref> They did manage to win their 8<sup>th</sup> [[Football League of Ireland Cup|eircom League Cup]], though, thanks to a 1-0 victory over [[Bohemian F.C.|Bohemians]] at the Brandywell.
==Colours and crests==
{{main|Traditions of Derry City F.C.}}
[[Image:DerryCityJerseys.PNG|300px|thumb|A selection of past home-kit variations.]]
Derry City wore claret and blue jerseys with white shorts for their first season — 1929–30.<ref name=Colours>[http://www.derrycityfc.net/club/folklore/teamkit.php Colours and Jerseys]. ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The colours lasted until 1932, when white jersies with black shorts were adopted.<ref name=History/> This style was replaced by the now-traditional red and white "candystripes" with black shorts in 1934. The style derived from [[Sheffield United]], who wore the pattern and, specifically, [[Billy Gillespie]],<ref name=History/> a native of nearby [[County Donegal|Donegal]].<ref name=Gillespie>[http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/2036/legends-of-the-game/billie-gillespie/ Squad Profiles - Legends of the Game]. Irish Football Association. Retrieved on [[2007-04-29]].</ref> He played for Sheffield United from 1913 until 1932, captaining them to a 1925 [[FA Cup]] win. The club's most capped player with 25 appearances for [[Ireland national football team (IFA)|Ireland]],<ref name=Gillespie/> he was held in such high regard in his home country that when he left Sheffield United in 1932 to become Derry's [[player-manager]], they changed their strip within two years in appreciation of his career at Sheffield United.<ref name=Colours/>
Derry have worn red and white stripes since, except from 1956 to 1962, when the club's players wore amber and black.<ref name=History/> Jerseys since 1962 have had "candystripes" of varying thickness. The kit features white socks — originally black socks were used and occasionally red if a clash with the opposition occurred. Similarly, white shorts were adopted for a spell in the early 1970s and for 1985.<ref name=Colours/> They are still sometimes worn if a clash occurs, as are black socks. Away jerseys have varied in colour from white, to navy and green stripes, to yellow, to white and light-blue stripes, and to black.<ref>Mahon (1998), p. 189.</ref>
Derry have had various kit suppliers, including [[Adidas]],<ref>Mahon (1998), p. 113.</ref> [[Avec]],<ref name=EM3>Mahon (1998), p. 156.</ref> [[Erreà]], [[Fila (company)|Fila]], [[Le Coq Sportif]],<ref name=EddieMahon>Mahon (1998), p. 7.</ref> [[Matchwinner]],<ref name=EM3/> [[O'Neills]],<ref>Mahon (1998), p. 109.</ref> Spall and currently, [[O'Neills]],.<ref name=EddieMahon2>Mahon (1998), p. 49.</ref> Commercial sponsorship logos to appear on the shirt's front have included Northlands,<ref name=EddieMahon2/> Warwick Wallpapers,<ref name=EdMahon>Mahon (1998), p. 67.</ref> [[Fruit of the Loom]],<ref name=EM3/> [[Smithwick's]]<ref name=EddieMahon/> and AssetCo. Logos to have appeared on the sleeve have included the Trinity Hotel,<ref>Mahon (1998), p. 197.</ref> Tigi Bed Head and Tigi Catwalk. For 2007, the logos of local media, [[Q102.9]] and the [[Derry News]], appear on the back of the shirt just below the neck, along with the logo of Meteor Electrical on the jersey's front.<ref name=GenInfo>"[http://derrycityfc.net/club/general.php Derry City Football Club - General Information]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved [[2007-05-04]].</ref>
[[Image:Derry arms 2003.png|left|thumb|The city's coat of arms, used by the club as a crest prior to the introduction of a unique club crest in 1986.]]
The club did not sport a crest on the club jersey throughout the [[Irish League]] years, nor for most of the first [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] season. Instead, the [[coat of arms]] of the city appeared on club memorabilia such as scarves, hats and badges. The symbols on the arms are a skeleton, three-towered castle, red [[St. George's cross]] and sword. The sword and cross are devices of the [[City of London]], and along with an [[Harp#As a symbol|Irish harp]] embedded within the cross, demonstrate the link between the two cities — the city's official name under [[United Kingdom|UK]] law is [[Derry-Londonderry name dispute|Londonderry]] and the city itself was developed by [[The Honourable The Irish Society|the Honourable the Irish Society]], a [[livery company]] of the City of London. The castle is thought to be an old local [[Normans|Norman]] keep built in 1305 by the [[Burke|de Burca]] [[clan]].<ref>{{cite book | author=Beattie, Sean | title=Donegal | location=Sutton | publisher=Printing Press | year=2004 | id=ISBN 0-7509-3825-0}}
</ref> The skeleton is believed to be that of a knight of the same clan who was starved to death in the castle dungeons in 1332.<ref>[http://www.geographia.com/northern-ireland/ukider01.htm History of Derry]. Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> This is accompanied by the [[Latin]] motto, "''Vita, veritas, victoria''", meaning "Life, truth, victory."[[Image:DerryOldCrest.png|right|thumb|Derry City's first exclusive crest, introduced in 1986 and replaced in 1997 by the current crest.]]
In April 1986 the club ran a competition in local schools to design a crest for them. The winning entry was designed by John Devlin, a [[St. Columb's College]] student, and was introduced on [[5 May]], [[1986]] as Derry hosted [[Nottingham Forest]] for a friendly. The crest depicted a simplified version of the city's [[Foyle Bridge]], which had opened 18 months previously, the traditional red and white stripes of the jersey bordered by thin black lines, the year in which the club were founded and a football in the centre representing the club as a footballing entity. The name of the club appeared in [[Impact (typeface)|Impact]] font.
With the novelty of the Foyle Bridge wearing off over time, the crest lasted until [[15 July]], [[1997]], when the current one was unveiled at [[Lansdowne Road]] with the meeting of Derry City and [[Celtic F.C|Celtic]] during a pre-season friendly tournament.<ref>Mahon (1998), pp. 189–192.</ref> The modern crest also features a centred football, the year of founding and the club's name in a contemporary [[sans-serif]] font — [[Industria (typeface)|Industria Solid]]. The famous red and white stripes are present along with a red mass of colour filling the left half of the crest, separated from the right by a white stripe. Known cultural landmarks or items associated with the city are absent from the [[minimalist]] design. The crests have always been positioned over the heart on the home jerseys.
==Home ground==
{{main|Brandywell Stadium}}
[[Image:Derry Fans in New Stand.JPG|thumb|The Brandywell's "New Stand" on match-day.]]
Derry City's home ground is the [[municipal]] [[Brandywell Stadium]], situated just south-west of the [[Bogside]] in the Brandywell area of [[Derry]]. It is often abbreviated to "the Brandywell" and is also a local [[greyhound racing]] venue, with an ovoid track encircling the pitch. The dimensions of the pitch measure 111 by 72 yards.<ref name=Whatsthescore>[http://homepage.eircom.net/~scroche/derry.htm Derry City]. ''What's the score?'', 2000–01. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The legal owner is the [[Derry City Council]] which lets the ground to the club.<ref name=History/> Due to health and safety regulations the stadium has a seating capacity of 2,900 for [[UEFA]] competitions,<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/4775553.stm Brandywell gets seating increase]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2006-08-09]]. Retrieved on [[2006-10-03]].</ref> although it can accommodate 7,700 on a normal match-day, terraces included.<ref>[http://www.stadiumguide.com/brandywell.htm Brandywell Stadium]. ''The Stadium Guide''. Retrieved on [[2006-10-03]].</ref> The curved [[cantilever]] all-seated "New Stand" was constructed in 1991, while development on the still-insufficient facilities is set to continue with the planned £12 million upgrade to an expandable 8,000 all-seater by 2010.<ref><span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">i)</span> "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/5085378.stm Brandywell revamp plan unveiled]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2006-06-15]]. Retrieved on [[2006-10-01]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">ii)</span> "[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/northwest-edition/daily/article2146354.ece Big name to help City's bid for stadium]", ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]'', [[2007-01-12]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">iii)</span> Duffy, Arthur. "[http://www.derryjournal.com/journal-sport/There39s-only-one-show-in.2060503.jp There's only one show in town! - Insist Brandywell Properties Trust]", ''[[Derry Journal]]'', [[2007-02-20]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">iv)</span> [http://www.derrycityfc.net/execsummary.doc Re-development of the Brandywell Stadium and Showgrounds: Executive Summary] <small>[[DOC (computing)|DOC]] (103 [[Kibibyte|KiB]])</small>. Brandywell Properties Trust Ltd. and Peter Quinn Consultancy Services Ltd., 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">v)</span> [http://www.derrycityfc.net/BPfulleconomicappraisal.zip Re-development of the Brandywell Stadium and Showgrounds: Economic Appraisal] <small>[[ZIP (file format)|ZIP]] (376 [[Kibibyte|KiB]])</small>. Brandywell Properties Trust Ltd. and Peter Quinn Consultancy Services Ltd., 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-05-02]].</ref>
Plans of Derry City's to purchase a pitch fell through after their formation due to the tight time-scale between their birth in 1928 and the season's beginning in 1929 and so the [[Derry City Council|Londonderry Corporation]] (now the Derry City Council) was approached for the use of the Brandywell which had been used for football up until the end of the 19th century. They agreed and the club still operate under the constraints of [[The Honourable The Irish Society|the Honourable the Irish Society]] charter limitations which declare that the Brandywell must be available for the recreation of the community. In effect, the club do not have private ownership and, thus, cannot develop by their own accord with that discretion or whether to sell being left to the Derry City Council.<ref name=History/><ref><span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">i)</span> "[http://www.eleven-a-side.com/premier/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=16140 Derry fans make stadium plea]", ''Eleven-a-side.com'', [[2005-02-22]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">ii)</span> Emerson, Steven. "[http://www.derryjournal.com/journal-news?articleid=2843072 Plans for new Brandywell stadium put on hold]{{dead link|date=January 2008}}", ''Derry Journal'', [[2007-05-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-01]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">iii)</span> Emerson, Steven. "[http://www.derryjournal.com/journal-news?articleid=2844769 Key questions on Brandywell plan remain unanswered]{{dead link|date=January 2008}}", ''Derry Journal'', [[2007-05-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-02]].<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">iv)</span> "[http://www.derryjournal.com/journal-news?articleid=2844774 Councillor views on Brandywell redevelopment]{{dead link|date=January 2008}}", ''Derry Journal'', [[2007-05-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-02]].</ref>
[[Image:126 Brandywell Stadium.JPG|thumb|Derry City supporters in the Brandywell.]]
Derry City's first game at the Brandywell was a 2–1 loss to [[Glentoran F.C.|Glentoran]] on [[22 August]], [[1929]].<ref name=History/> In 1933, the purchase of Bond’s Field in the [[Waterside]] was mentioned, but it was thought to be too far away from the fan-base which had built up on the Cityside, especially in the Brandywell area. They also had first option on Derry Celtic’s old ground, [[Celtic Park (Derry)|Celtic Park]], but hesitated on a final decision and the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] bought it ten years later. They also decided against buying Meenan Park for £1,500.<ref name=History/>
Because of [[Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland's]] volatile political situation during the [[Troubles]] and security fears for [[Protestants]] and those of the [[Unionism (Ireland)|unionist]] tradition visiting the mainly [[Irish nationalist|nationalist]] city of [[Derry]], the [[Brandywell]] has not always been the home ground of Derry City. In 1970 and 1971, Derry had to play their "home" ties against [[Linfield FC|Linfield]] at [[Windsor Park]] in [[Belfast]] — the home-ground of Linfield. From September 1971 until October 1972 Derry were forced to play all their "home" games at the [[The Showgrounds (Coleraine)|Showgrounds]] in mainly Protestant [[Coleraine]], over {{convert|30|mi|km}} away, as police ruled the [[Irish republicanism|republican]] Brandywell area as too unsafe for visiting unionists. The Brandywell did not see senior football for another 13 years as the [[Irish Football League]] upheld a ban on the stadium and Derry decided to leave the league as a result.<ref name=Bradley/> Only greyhound meetings and junior football were held during this time.<ref name=McGuinness/> Derry's admission to the [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] in 1985 saw a return of senior games.
Derry City FC controversially currently bans the display of national flags at games in the Brandywell. This rule in particular extends to away fans from south of the border who are not permitted to display tricolours with team slogans etc on them as they would at other Eircom League grounds. However, this does not apply to European competition when Derry City FC openly displays the national flag of Ireland as representatives of the Football Association of Ireland.
==In popular culture==
{{main|Traditions of Derry City F.C.}}
[[Image:Myperfectcous.JPG|thumb|The single cover for ''My Perfect Cousin'' by [[The Undertones]] featuring a Derry City figurine.]]
Derry City have made numerous appearances in popular culture. In the world of music, the club were given exposure by Derry [[punk music|punk]] band, [[The Undertones]], who had the cover of their 1980 hit single, ''My Perfect Cousin'', feature a [[Subbuteo]] figure sporting the colours of Derry City. The song's video saw the group's front-man, [[Feargal Sharkey]], kick and leap to head a ball while wearing the red and white jersey.<ref>[[Michael Bradley (musician)|Bradley, Michael]]. "[http://derrycityfc.net/club/folklore/myperfectcousin.php The Undertones Connection]", ''CityWeb'', [[1991-11-07]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Similarly, on the cover of their second ever single, ''Get Over You'', the words "Derry City F.C." can be seen.<ref>{{cite book |
author=Wilson, David |
title=Derry City FC: City Till I Die|
publisher=Zero Seven Media |
year=2007 |
pages=p. 48 |
id=ISSN 1753-8904}}</ref>
The club have also featured on popular television. Due to the fact that they are a club based in [[Northern Ireland]] playing in the league of the [[Republic of Ireland]] they often receive the attention of broadcasters in both jurisdictions. In the [[BBC]] documentary series ''[[Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' shown the night before Derry's clash with [[Paris St. Germain]] in the 2006–07 [[UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup's]] First Round, it was highlighted that [[Archie McLeod]], the grandfather of [[David Tennant]], the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' actor, was a Derry City player. Derry had supplied a lucrative signing-on fee and had enticed him over from [[Scotland]].<ref>Barratt, Dr. Nick. "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/wdytya_celeb_gallery_04.shtml Who do you think you are? (Third series): David Tennant]", ''BBC History'', [[2006-09-27]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> Likewise, features about the club were run by ''[[Football Focus]]'' prior to and after the same UEFA Cup game. Irish television has also featured the club. Derry City played in the first [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] match ever to be shown live on television when they visited [[Tolka Park]] to play [[Shelbourne FC|Shelbourne]] during the 1996–97 season. The game was broadcast on [[RTÉ|RTÉ's]] [[Network 2]] and finished 1–1 with [[Gary Beckett]] scoring for Derry.
Another medium to play host to the club has been the radio. On [[20 April]], [[2005]], Derry City featured in an audio documentary ''The Blues and the Candy Stripes'' on [[RTÉ Radio 1|RTÉ Radio 1's]] ''Documentary on One''. The documentary was produced in the aftermath of the historic friendly game between Derry and [[Linfield FC|Linfield]] that took place on [[22 February]], [[2005]] — the first between the two teams to occur since a game on [[25 January]], [[1969]] during which Linfield's fans had to be evacuated from the [[Brandywell]] by police at half-time due to civil unrest and ugly scenes within the ground.<ref name=Radio>"[http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/1044693.html The Blues and the Candy Stripes]", ''RTÉ.ie'', [[2005-04-20]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The 2005 match was organised as a kind of security test in the run-up to the likely possibility that both teams, with socially polar fan-bases, would qualify for and be drawn against one another in a near-future [[Setanta Cup]] competition.<ref name=Bradley/>
==Honours==
[[Image:Dublin Derry Final 68.JPG|thumb|Derry City celebrate winning the 2006 [[FAI Cup]].]]
*'''League titles: 4'''
**[[Irish Football League]]: 1964–65
**[[Football League of Ireland]]: 1988–89, 1996–97
**[[Football League of Ireland]] First Division: 1986–87
*'''[[FAI Cup]]: 4'''
** 1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/6204362.stm Derry see off St Pat's in decider]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2006-12-03]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref>
*'''[[FAI League Cup]]: 8'''
**1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2005, 2006<ref>, 2007"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/5358284.stm Derry win eircom League Cup final]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2006-09-18]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref>, 2007
*'''[[Irish Cup|IFA Cup]]: 3'''
**1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64
*'''[[League of Ireland First Division Shield]]: 1'''
**1985–86
*'''[[City Cup (Northern Ireland)|City Cup]]: 2'''
**1934–35, 1936–37
*'''[[Gold Cup (Northern Ireland)|Gold Cup]]: 1'''
**1963–64
*'''Top Four Winners: 1'''
**1965–66
*'''North-West Senior Cup: 14'''
**1931–32, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1936–37, 1938–39, 1953–54, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1970–71
==Records==
{{main|Derry City F.C. records}}
[[Image:Dcfcstandings.PNG|thumb|right|A graphical representation of Derry City's historical standings in the [[Irish League]] and [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]].]]
Current player, [[Peter Hutton (footballer)|Peter Hutton]], holds the club record for matches played in [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] football with 573 competitive appearances since the 1990–91 season.<ref>Dunleavy, Brian. [http://derrycityfc.net/players/current/phutton.php Player Profiles - Peter Hutton]. ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-05-04]].</ref> [[Paul Curran (footballer)|Paul Curran]] has made the second highest number of appearances for the club in the League of Ireland with 518, followed by [[Sean Hargan]] with 408 since 1995.<ref><span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">i)</span> Dunleavy, Brian ([[2006-11-17]]). "They must be enjoying the experience!", ''CityView'', vol. 22, no. 27, p. 18.<br />'''<font color="White">^</font>''' <span style="font-size: 0.95em; font-weight: bold; color:#555;">ii)</span> As of [[16 July]], [[2007]].</ref>
The club's all-time highest goal-scorer is [[Jimmy Kelly (Irish footballer)|Jimmy Kelly]] with 363 goals between 1930 and 1951.<ref>[http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2007/01/jimmy-kelly.html Jimmy Kelly]. ''Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats'', [[2007-01-20]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-04]].</ref> Since the entry of the club into [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] football, [[Liam Coyle]] is Derry's top scorer with 112 goals after 390 competitive appearances for the club between 1988 and 2003.<ref>Kelly, David. "[http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/david-kelly-genius-finally-hangs-up-his-boots-189214.html Genius finally hangs up his boots]", ''Irish Independent'', [[2004-01-21]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-04]]. <small>(Registration required.)</small></ref> Derry's first ever scorer was [[Peter Burke (footballer)|Peter Burke]] at home to [[Glentoran]] on [[22 August]], [[1929]] as the club lost 2–1.<ref name=Firsts>"[http://derrycityfc.net/club/folklore/firsts.php They were the First...]", ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-05-04]].</ref> Two days later, [[Sammy Curran]] had the honour of scoring Derry's first [[hat-trick]], as the club came back from 5–1 down away to [[Portadown FC|Portadown]], only to lose 6–5 to a late goal.<ref name=Firsts/> [[Barry McCreadie]] was Derry's first scorer in the [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] as he scored during a 3–1 home win over [[Home Farm F.C.|Home Farm]] on [[8 September]], [[1985]].<ref name=Firsts/> Derry's first hat-trick in the League of Ireland was scored by [[Kevin Mahon]] away to [[Finn Harps]] on [[15 December]], [[1985]].<ref name=Firsts/> Derry's 1000th league goal was scored by [[Conor Sammon]] on the [[9 May]], [[2008]] against [[Shamrock Rovers]]. A number of capped internationals have also played for Derry.
Derry's record League of Ireland defeat was to [[Longford Town FC|Longford Town]] in January, 1986 — the score was 5–1.<ref name=GenInfo/> The club's record League of Ireland win was 9–1 against [[Galway United]] in October, 1986.<ref name=GenInfo/> The club has never been relegated in either the [[Irish League]] or the League of Ireland.<ref name=FIFAcom/> Derry are one of only two League of Ireland teams to have completed a [[The Treble|treble]]. Derry's 5–1 away win against [[Gretna FC|Gretna]] at [[Fir Park]], [[Motherwell, Scotland|Motherwell]] in the 2006–07 [[UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup's]] Second Qualifying Round is the largest away winning margin for any [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] team in European competition. Derry played a record number of 54 games in the whole [[Football League of Ireland 2006 season|2006 season]], including all competitions. Previously, the record had been the 49 games played in all competitions during the treble-winning 1988–89 season.<ref> Wilson (2007), p. 50.</ref>
[[The Brandywell|The Brandywell's]] record attendance in the League of Ireland system is 9,800 people who attended an [[FAI Cup]] Second Round tie between Derry and [[Finn Harps]] on [[23 February]], [[1986]].<ref name=Whatsthescore/> In the [[Irish League]], a crowd of 12,000 attended the 1929–30 season home game against [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]].<ref> Mahon (1998), p. 63.</ref>
==Supporters==
{{main|Traditions of Derry City F.C.}}
[[Image:DCFCPSG.jpg|thumb|Derry City's fans in the [[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]] on [[28 September]], 2006.]]
By Irish standards, Derry City have a relatively large and loyal fan-base. The club were considered among the strongest and best-supported teams in the [[Irish League]],<ref name=FIFAcom>"[http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/index/0,2527,122678,00.html?articleid=122678 Derry City dream on in Paris]", ''FIFA.com'', [[2006-09-27]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> and upon the club's entry into the [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]] in 1985, crowds of nearly 10,000 attended to the [[Brandywell]] for the return of matches.<ref name=Collins/> Derry's average home attendance of 3,127 was the highest of any team for the 2006 season.<ref>[http://foot.ie/forums/archive/index.php/t-48537.html eircom League AGM - Acting Director's Report]. ''Foot.ie'', [[2006-12-10]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-05]].</ref> The highest attendance was the last-night-of-the-season meeting between Derry and [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]] at the [[Brandywell]] on Friday [[17 November]] when 6,080 watched Derry win 1–0.<ref>"[http://www.tribune.ie/2006/12/10/80154.html Derry's game with Cork best attended]", ''Sunday Tribune'', [[2006-12-10]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-04]].</ref> Domestically, Derry's supporters travel to away games in "bus-loads".<ref name=EdMahon/> They gave large support in the club's 2006 [[UEFA Cup]] run — around 3,000 travelled to [[Motherwell, Scotland|Motherwell]] and "maintained a wall of sound" as Derry beat [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]] 5–1 in [[Fir Park]],<ref>Halliday, Stephen. "[http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=1167012006 Slack Gretna given cruel lesson by five-star Derry]", ''The Scotsman'', [[2006-08-11]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-09]].</ref><ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4782159.stm Kenny elated after Derry triumph]", ''BBC Sport Online'', [[2006-08-10]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> and over 2,000 went to [[Paris]] to see Derry play [[Paris Saint-Germain]] in the [[Parc des Princes]].<ref>{{fr icon}} [http://psg-fans-gretz.skyrock.com/ Paris SG - Derry City / Coupe de l'UEFA 2006/2007]. ''psg-fans-gretz, SkyRock'', [[2007-03-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> During the home legs, ticketless fans desperate to see the games watched from a distance while standing on the high vantage point overlooking the Brandywell offered by the City Cemetery in [[Creggan, Derry|Creggan]] and parked hired [[double-decker]] buses outside the stadium to help them see over the ground's perimeter.<ref>Carton, Donna. "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20060903/ai_n16710323 Bus is just the ticket for fans]", ''Sunday Mirror'', [[2006-09-03]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-11]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/derry-hordes-cheer-heroes-into-uncharted-territory-84648.html Derry hordes cheer heroes into uncharted territory]", ''Irish Independent'', [[2006-08-25]]. Retrieved on [[2007-05-11]]. <small>(Registration required.)</small></ref>
The club is known for its community spirit and the supporters have played a pivotal role in the survival and successes of the club. When debts brought Derry close to extinction in the 2000–01 season, the local community responded en masse to help save the club. During the club's successful 2006 season, club captain, [[Peter Hutton (footballer)|Peter Hutton]] said:
{{cquote|Nobody owns Derry City F.C. apart from the people of Derry. Five or six years ago the club was on its knees, on the verge of going out of business. There was no sugar-daddy, no millionaire, no [[Roman Abramovich]] to save the club. It was the people and the city who saved the club. People, fans, ordinary people; they went out and banged on doors to collect money, they went around pubs with collection buckets, they did what they could to keep the club alive. Derry is a close-knit place, a small community, they care about their club and that's why we still have a club. And every bit of success we may get this season is down to them.<ref>Fitzmaurice, Aidan. "[http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=134217728/newsid=457048.html Derry dare to dream]", ''[[UEFA|UEFA.com]]'', [[2006-09-15]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref>}}
[[Image:No1527r.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Northern Irish murals|mural]] in [[Shantallow]], [[Derry]] depicts Derry City's association with Derry's [[Irish nationalist|nationalist]] community. Derry City's crest can be seen in the bottom left, next to a large [[Celtic FC|Celtic]] crest, along with an [[Irish tricolour]], a [[Derry GAA]] flag and a [[shamrock]] — all symbols revered by various elements of the nationalist community.<ref>The mural, dominated by the [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] crest, demonstrates the trend exhibited by the majority of Irish football fans who primarily support clubs from [[Scottish Premier League|Scotland]] or [[FA Premier League|England]], ahead of teams from their own national league. This has had a detrimental effect on the development of Irish football. For further information on this, see: {{cite book |
author=Whelan, Daire |
title=Who Stole Our Game?: The Fall and Fall of Irish Soccer |
publisher=Gill & Macmillan |
year=2006 |
pages= |
id=ISBN 9780717140046 }}</ref>]]
Likewise, former [[Social Democratic and Labour Party]] leader and [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner [[John Hume]] [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLA]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], who is the club's current president,<ref>[http://www.derrycityfc.net/club/general.php Derry City Football Club - General Information]. ''CityWeb'', 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> stated in 1998 of the club's relationship with the community:
{{cquote|Derry City F.C. has been the linchpin in the life of the community in Derry since its foundation in 1928. Throughout the club's history, the Candystripes have provided a sporting outlet for young people and older supporters alike. The history of the club is intertwined with that of its city. It has seen struggle and marginalisation turn to renewal and success. The pride people have in this club reflects the pride we hold in our city. Derry City players and supporters alike are superb ambassadors for the city. Today, the club, like the city, looks to the future with great hope. For all its successes, Derry City would be nothing without the people of the city.<ref>Mahon (1998). "Foreword" by [[John Hume|Hume, John]], p. 2.</ref>}}
Support for the club is quite dependent on geography and crosses social boundaries. Fans come from both [[working class]] areas, such as the Brandywell area and [[Bogside]], and more affluent regions of the city, like [[Culmore]]. The Cityside is seen as the traditional base of the club, especially the Brandywell area, although the [[Waterside, Derry|Waterside]] is also home to a smaller number of supporters.<ref name=Cronin/> The club are supported mainly by Derry's [[Irish nationalist|nationalist]] community. The connection is rooted mainly in [[geography]], as well as [[social]], [[cultural]] and [[historical]] circumstances, as opposed to the club or its fans pushing towards the creation of a certain identity.<ref name=Cronin/> The club has a small minority of supporters of a [[Protestant]] upbringing. The city's Protestant community is largely apathetic, though some [[Unionism (Ireland)|unionists]] and [[Ulster loyalism|loyalists]] damn the club as a symbol of Catholicism and nationalism.<ref name=Cronin/><ref>For a more in-depth analysis and study of [[Ethnicity and football|sectarian divisions and the politico-religious alignment of certain communities of fans to certain clubs]] within domestic Irish (especially Northern Irish) football, see: {{cite book |
author=Cronin, Mike |
title=Sport and Nationalism in Ireland: Gaelic Games, Soccer and Irish Identity Since 1884 |
publisher=Four Courts Press |
year=1999 |
pages= |
id=ISBN 978-1851824564 }}; {{cite book |
author=Cronin, Mike & Mayall, David |
title=Sporting Nationalisms: Identity, Ethnicity, Immigration, and Assimilation |
publisher=Routledge |
year=1998 |
pages= |
id=ISBN 978-0714644493 }}; {{cite book |
author=Dunn, Seamus |
title=Facets of the Conflict in Northern Ireland |
publisher=Macmillan Press |
year=1995 |
pages= |
id=ISBN 0312122802 }}; {{cite book |
author=Armstrong, Gary & Giulianotti, Richard |
title=Football Cultures and Identities |
publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |
year=1999 |
pages="The Territorial Politics of Soccer in Northern Ireland" by Bairner, Alan & Shirlow, Peter |
id=ISBN 978-0333730096 }}; {{cite book |
author=Reilly, Thomas, Lees, Adrian, Davids, K. & Murphy W.J. |
title=Science and Football |
publisher=E. & F.N. Spon |
year=1988 |
pages="Sectarianism and Soccer Hooliganism in Northern Ireland" by Bairner, Alan & Sugden, John, pp. 572–578 |
id= }}; {{cite book |
author=Tomlinson, Alan & Whannel, Garry |
title=Off the Ball |
publisher=Longwood |
year=1986 |
pages="Observe the Sons of Ulster: Football and Politics in Northern Ireland" by Bairner, Alan & Sugden, John, pp. 146–157 |
id=ISBN 9780745301228 }}</ref> Joining the [[Republic of Ireland|Republic of Ireland's]] league augmented the perception and, on occasion, Protestant [[hooligans]] have thrown missiles at Derry's supporter buses as they journeyed to or returned from games across the border.<ref>{{cite book |
author=Sugden, John & Bairner, Alan |
title=Sport, Sectarianism and Society in a Divided Ireland |
publisher=Leicester University Press |
year=1995 |
pages=p. 87 |
id=ISBN 978-0718500184 }}</ref> Minor nationalist elements within the Derry City support-base see football as a means of reinforcing [[sectarianism|sectarian]] divides.<ref name=Cronin/>
With the city being a focal point of culture and activity serving the north-west region of [[Ireland]], support stretches beyond the urban border and into the surrounding [[County Londonderry|county]]; [[Limavady]], [[Strabane]] in nearby [[County Tyrone]]<ref>[http://www.strabanedc.org.uk/council/minutes/item.php?q=599&sr=30&month=04&year=2004&search_keyword= Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council]. Strabane District Council press release, [[2006-10-03]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-23]].</ref> and areas of bordering [[County Donegal]] contain support.<ref>[http://www.derrycityfc.net/icandy/ Episode 3]. ''iCandy'', 2006-05. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]].</ref> The club has numerous supporter clubs, along with [[Ultras|ultra fans]], and support beyond Ireland — mainly emigrated city natives. ''Derry City Chat'' is a discussion website run by fans. Derry's fans share a [[Northwest Derby|rivalry]] with the supporters of [[Finn Harps]] and sing the [[Undertones|Undertones']] ''[[Teenage Kicks]]'' as a terrace anthem.<ref name=Collins/>
Derry City supporters have also created a unique bond with West Belfast Irish League side [[Donegal Celtic]], with supporters from both sides attending games in Derry and Belfast. Both sets of supporters are known to be noisy and colourful.
== Current squad 2008 ==
[[Image:Dcfcsquad.JPG|thumb|Derry City's squad at start of [[FAI League of Ireland 2007 season|2007 season]]. From left to right: (Back;) [[Barry Molloy|Molloy]], [[Karl Bermingham|Bermingham]], [[Ola Tidman|Tidman]], [[Pat Jennings Jr.|Jennings]], [[Patrick McCourt|McCourt]], [[Kevin McHugh|McHugh]], (Middle;) Gavin Doherty (logistics manager), [[Dave Rogers|Rogers]], [[Darren Kelly|Kelly]], [[Gareth McGlynn|McGlynn]], [[Peter Hynes|Hynes]], [[Neil McCafferty|McCafferty]], [[Killian Brennan|Brennan]], [[Alan Moore (footballer)|Moore]], [[Ciaran Martyn|Martyn]], [[Mark Farren|Farren]], [[Gary Beckett|Beckett]], [[Eddie McCallion|McCallion]], [[Ken Oman|Oman]], [[Ruaidhri Higgins|Higgins]], (Front;) Philip Johnston (kit manager), [[Greg O'Halloran|O'Halloran]], [[Anthony Gorman]] (assistant manager), [[Sean Hargan|Hargan]], [[Hugh McDaid]] (club chairman), [[Peter Hutton (footballer)|Hutton]], [[Pat Fenlon]] (former manager), [[Kevin Deery|Deery]], Michael Hegarty (physio).]]
{{dablink|For further details on this topic, including past players and reserve players, see: [[Derry City F.C. players]]}}
{{Football squad start}}
{{Football squad player|no=1|nat=Ireland|name=[[Darren Quigley]]|pos=GK}}
{{Football squad player|no=2|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Eddie McCallion]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=3|nat=Ireland|name=[[Sean Hargan]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=4|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Peter Hutton (footballer)|Peter Hutton]]|pos=DF|other=[[Captain (football)|captain]]}}
{{Football squad player|no=5|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Mark McChrystal]]|pos=DF|}}
{{Football squad player|no=6|nat=Ireland|name=[[Steven Gray (footballer)|Stephen Gray]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=7|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Ruaidhri Higgins]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=8|nat=Ireland|name=[[Ciarán Martyn]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=9|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Sam Morrow]]|pos=FW}}
{{Football squad player|no=10|nat=Ireland|name=[[Kevin McHugh]]|pos=FW}}
{{Football squad player|no=11|nat=Ireland|name=[[Conor Sammon]]|pos=FW}}
{{Football squad mid}}
{{Football squad player|no=12|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Aaron Callaghan (footballer born 1987)|Aaron Callaghan]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=14|nat=Ireland|name=[[Gareth McGlynn]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=15|nat=Ireland|name=[[Kevin Deery]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=16|nat=Ireland|name=[[Gerard Doherty]]|pos=GK}}
{{Football squad player|no=17|nat=Ireland|name=[[Barry Molloy]]|pos=MF|}}
{{Football squad player|no=18|nat=Ireland|name=[[Mark Farren]]|pos=FW}}
{{Football squad player|no=19|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Owen Morrison]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=21|nat=Ireland|name=[[Clive Delaney]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=30|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Eugene Ferry]]|pos=GK}}
{{Football squad player|no=|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Niall McGinn]]|pos=MF}}
{{Football squad player|no=|nat=Northern Ireland|name=[[Pat Jennings Jr.|Pat Jennings]]|pos=GK|other=on loan to [[Sligo Rovers]]}}
{{Football squad end}}
==Managers==
{{dablink|For managerial statistics of club managers in the [[Football League of Ireland|League of Ireland]], see: [[Derry City F.C. records]]}}
{|
|valign="top" width="0%"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Nat.
! From
! To
|-
|align=left|[[Joe McCleery]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|1929
|align=left|1932
|-
|align=left|[[Billy Gillespie]]<ref name=PM>Acted as [[player-manager]].</ref>
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|1932
|align=left|1940
|-
|align=left|[[Derry City F.C. Management Team Committee|M.T.C.]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1940
|align=left|1942
|-
|align=left|[[Willie Ross (football)|Willie Ross]]<ref name=PM/>
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|1942
|align=left|1953
|-
|align=left|[[Derry City F.C. Management Team Committee|M.T.C.]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1953
|align=left|1958
|-
|align=left|[[Tommy Houston (footballer)|Tommy Houston]]<ref name=PM/>
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1958
|align=left|1959
|-
|align=left|[[Matt Doherty (footballer)|Matt Doherty]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1959
|align=left|1961
|-
|align=left|[[Willie Ross (football)|Willie Ross]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|1961
|align=left|1968
|-
|align=left|[[Jimmy Hill (Northern Irish footballer)|Jimmy Hill]]<ref name=PM/>
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1968
|align=left|1971
|-
|align=left|[[Doug Wood]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|1971
|align=left|1972
|-
|align=left|[[Willie Ross (football)|Willie Ross]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|1972
|align=left|1972
|-
|align=left|[[Jim Crossan]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1985
|align=left|1985
|-
|align=left|[[Noel King]]<ref name=PM/>
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|1985
|align=left|1987
|}
|valign="top" width="0%"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Nat.
! From
! To
|-
|align=left|[[Jim McLaughlin (football manager)|Jim McLaughlin]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1987
|align=left|1991
|-
|align=left|[[Roy Coyle]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1991
|align=left|1993
|-
|align=left|[[Tony O'Doherty]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1993
|align=left|1994
|-
|align=left|[[Felix Healy]]
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|1994
|align=left|1998
|-
|align=left|[[Kevin Mahon]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|1998
|align=left|2003
|-
|align=left|[[Dermot Keely]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|2003
|align=left|2003
|-
|align=left|[[Gavin Dykes]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|2003
|align=left|2004
|-
|align=left|[[Peter Hutton (footballer)|Peter Hutton]]<ref name=PM/>
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|2004
|align=left|2004
|-
|align=left|[[Stephen Kenny (football)|Stephen Kenny]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|2004
|align=left|2006
|-
|align=left|[[Pat Fenlon]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|2006
|align=left|2007
|-
|align=left|[[Peter Hutton (footballer)|Peter Hutton]]<ref name=PM/>
|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}}
|align=left|2007
|align=left|2007
|-
|align=left|[[John Robertson (footballer born 1964)|John Robertson]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|2007
|align=left|2007
|-
|align=left|[[Stephen Kenny (football)|Stephen Kenny]]
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}
|align=left|2007
|align=left|Present
|}
|}
==Footnotes and references==
'''Footnotes:'''
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references /></div>
'''References:'''
<div class="references-small">
*{{cite book |
author=[[Liam Coyle|Coyle, Liam]] |
title=Born to Play |
publisher=Four Courts Press |
year=2002 |
id=ISBN 978-0954241001}}
*Cunningham, Vinny (2007). ''Derry City FC: A European Odyssey''. Derry City Development Committee. <small>([[DVD]])</small>
*{{cite book |
author=Curran, Frank |
title=The Derry City Story |
publisher=[[Donegal Democrat]] |
year=1986 |
id= }}
*{{cite book |
author=[[Eddie Mahon|Mahon, Eddie]] |
title=Derry City |
publisher=Guildhall Press |
year=1998 |
id= }}
*{{cite book |
author=Platt, William Henry Walker |
title=A History of Derry City Football Club, 1929–72 |
publisher=Platt |
year=1986 |
id=ISBN 978-0950195322}}
*{{cite book |
author=Wilson, David |
title=Derry City FC: City Till I Die |
publisher=Zero Seven Media |
year=2007 |
id=ISSN 1753-8904}}
</div class="references-small">
==External links==
'''Official site:'''
*[http://www.derrycityfc.net/ ''CityWeb'']
'''Supporter site and discussion forum:'''
*[http://www.derrycitychat.com/ ''Derry City Chat'']
'''Association, news and information sites:'''
*[http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=142 Derry City F.C. on ''FAI.ie'']
*[http://www.uefa.com/footballEurope/Club=50086/domestic.html Derry City F.C. on ''UEFA.com'']
*[http://www.soccerway.com/teams/ireland-republic/derry-city-football-club/ Derry City F.C. on ''Soccerway.com'']
'''Visual:'''
*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=pxWZQZcX44k Derry City fans performing the "Grecque" in the Parc des Princes, Paris on 28 September 2006], ''YouTube'', [[2006-10-05]].
*[http://youtube.com/watch?v=ekxNmenzoY4 Derry City fans during their club's FAI Cup semi-final tie away to Sligo Rovers on 29 October 2006], ''YouTube'', [[2006-11-02]].
{{fb start}}
{{Derry City F.C.}}
{{FAI League}}
{{fb end}}
[[Category:Derry City F.C.]]
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