Full-time future for Derry City?

By Freya McClements
BBC News

Derry City FC suffered from financial difficulties all last season

The future of Derry City as a full-time football club hangs in the balance as the club continues to struggle financially.

The players have been warned they might have 75% of this week's wages deferred until later in the year, and they are in talks with management over long-term salary cuts.

Earlier this year the club lost two of their main sponsors, with the resulting loss of revenue likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Candystripes supporter Colin Green runs an online forum for fans, Derrycitychat.com.

He feels it's about time.

"I was really surprised that Derry City went this long without asking the players to take a cut in wages.

"I think it was a long time coming, and I'm actually glad to see it.

"There are people suffering everywhere, not just in football.

"We've had to take wage cuts in my own work, and that's just something we have to live with.

"We're the paying customers coming through the gate every week, and I think the players need to realise that we're losing out as well."

Derry City FC

Founded 1928

Known as the 'Candystripes'

Plays in Premier division of the League of Ireland

Home games played at Brandywell

Won the domestic treble in 1988-89

Bigger crowds at the Brandywell would help ease the club's financial worries, but Colin says attendance reflects recent results.

"Our players are getting paid 52 weeks in the year, and Shamrock Rovers players are getting paid for 40 weeks a year.

"Shamrock Rovers are challenging Bohs for the title, so why can't we be challenging Bohs for the title?

"I think the results in recent times have spoken for themselves," he said.

Fellow fan Michael McBride has been supporting Derry City since the 1950's.

He says he has concerns about the impact of financial changes at the club.

"Derry have a choice at the start of the year, to either go part-time and be among the minnows at the bottom of the league, or play full-time and try and compete with your Bohs and your Droghedas and your Corks at the top.

"Derry are trying to compete at the top level but they're lying somewhere in the middle of the league, and they're obviously overstretched.

Derry City play their home games at the Brandywell stadium

"At least half of the teams in the two leagues have been in serious trouble over the last few years and it's been spinning out of control.

"It's really time that everyone in the club sat down and tried to come to some more realistic arrangement.

"Of course, to go back to part-time football is a step backwards, but to play full-time football at the prices they're paying now, they can't sustain it," said Michael.

Kevin McLaughlin is the sports editor with the Londonderry Sentinel.

He says there have been fears for the long-term future of the club for years.

"These rumours have been around for ages, they're not new to people in the know.

"Will there be full-time football in Derry next year, I don't know.

"But if Derry City goes from full-time to part-time, it'll be a disaster".