A Different League: The Derry City FC Story

Clem_Snide

Anyone watch the BBC2 documentary on this tonight? Well.worth an hour of any football supporters time.

Focus on the gang of 4 who brought the club back after they were kicked out of the league due to the amount of issues related to the troubles in the City.

Raith_C_Chattonell

Fascinating story.

Particularly pertinent at this time, that that they could rise from the ashes to draw Benfica in the European Cup.  This present mob of money mad mercenaries would crush that dream of course.  But, even more remarkable, some idiot planted a bomb near the stadium to threaten the match taking place at all.  This prompted a hastily made call to Martin McGuinness, Derry born IRA commander, who disarmed the device and threw it down a grid in the cemetery that overlooked the stadium.

A youthful looking Sven then took his side on to defeat Derry 0-1, but that was hardly relevant in the grand scheme of things.

Agree with Clem, well worth the watch and is available on demand. 

RaplhMilne

Raith_C_Chattonell said:

Fascinating story.

Particularly pertinent at this time, that that they could rise from the ashes to draw Benfica in the European Cup.  This present mob of money mad mercenaries would crush that dream of course.  But, even more remarkable, some idiot planted a bomb near the stadium to threaten the match taking place at all.  This prompted a hastily made call to Martin McGuinness, Derry born IRA commander, who disarmed the device and threw it down a grid in the cemetery that overlooked the stadium.

A youthful looking Sven then took his side on to defeat Derry 0-1, but that was hardly relevant in the grand scheme of things.

Agree with Clem, well worth the watch and is available on demand. 

Actually lost 2-1 to Benfica...  Have to say never realised that Derry City played in the Southern Irish Premier, as opposed to a NI League.

Jints

Enjoyed that last night. A reminder that football should be about the fans, not the billionaires.

IdleHans

Yes, a well made documentary that I really enjoyed. Shows that football can be a force for good when run the right way. Coincidental, but very timely. Highly recommended.

guinnessaddick

RaplhMilne said:

Raith_C_Chattonell said:

Fascinating story.

Particularly pertinent at this time, that that they could rise from the ashes to draw Benfica in the European Cup.  This present mob of money mad mercenaries would crush that dream of course.  But, even more remarkable, some idiot planted a bomb near the stadium to threaten the match taking place at all.  This prompted a hastily made call to Martin McGuinness, Derry born IRA commander, who disarmed the device and threw it down a grid in the cemetery that overlooked the stadium.

A youthful looking Sven then took his side on to defeat Derry 0-1, but that was hardly relevant in the grand scheme of things.

Agree with Clem, well worth the watch and is available on demand. 

Actually lost 2-1 to Benfica...  Have to say never realised that Derry City played in the Southern Irish Premier, as opposed to a NI League.

That wasn’t always the case, they played in the Irish league, the domestic league of Northern Ireland.

19000 to an away game.


Ticked the ground off about 20 years ago.

addick1956

RaplhMilne said:

Raith_C_Chattonell said:

Fascinating story.

Particularly pertinent at this time, that that they could rise from the ashes to draw Benfica in the European Cup.  This present mob of money mad mercenaries would crush that dream of course.  But, even more remarkable, some idiot planted a bomb near the stadium to threaten the match taking place at all.  This prompted a hastily made call to Martin McGuinness, Derry born IRA commander, who disarmed the device and threw it down a grid in the cemetery that overlooked the stadium.

A youthful looking Sven then took his side on to defeat Derry 0-1, but that was hardly relevant in the grand scheme of things.

Agree with Clem, well worth the watch and is available on demand. 

Actually lost 2-1 to Benfica...  Have to say never realised that Derry City played in the Southern Irish Premier, as opposed to a NI League.

Have done for years. I went there on business.  Our rep, a protestant was scared witless going there. That is the big reason they played in the League of Ireland. Nobody wanted to go there after an opposition team bus was burnt in the troubles

This football club helped save a city and restore pride to the people.  If you have ever been to a place like this  as I did as a frequent visitor to NI from 1987 on business you will know.

It is a tribute to  the people and it shows just what a football club means to the community.  We know this well at Charlton and other clubs in England like Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon,  Newport County, Brighton etc. 

Football is this...it is not about the 'Gang of 12'or the greed of dummy owners who just want it for themselves. 

This is the game  around the world that people love.  A game that gives hope. 

SunnyPorthcawl

Agree it was a great bit of television. As my user name might tell you , I was brought up in South Wales and supported Swansea Town (it was that long ago!). My favourite player - Jimmy McLaughlin. A wonderfully skilful winger. Hadn’t realised what an impact he later made at Derry City and other Irish clubs.