CityView Vol-41 No-08 - Derry City vs St Patrick's Athletic - Friday 5th May

DERRY CITY F.C. v ST PAT’S ATHLETIC F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION MONDAY 5th MAY 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 08

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Welcome to...

ST PAT’S ATHLETIC F.C.

DERRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB Formed:

1928

Ground:

Brandywell Stadium

Manager:

Tiernan Lynch

Asst Manager:

Seamus Lynch

Coach:

Andy Mitchell

Co-Ordinator: GK Coach:

Patrick McEleney Michael Dougherty

Development:

Mark McChrystal

Head Analyst:

Rory Scott

S&D Coach

Danny Doherty

Physio:

Leah McCreadie

Kit Man:

Georgie Harkin

Kit Man:

Gerry Sheppard

Doctor:

Dr. Noel Boyle

Podiatrist:

Patrick McGill

CITYVIEW is the Official Match Day Programme of Derry City FC. The views expressed are, however, not necessarily those of the Board Of Directors, or indeed the Programme Committee. Design and Layout by Andrew Cassidy. Photographs courtesy of Event Images and Maiden City Images unless otherwise stated. Cover image

by Ramsey Cardy. Printing by City Print, Springtown Industrial Estate. Please support all of our sponsors. For queries about CityView contact andrew@derrycityfc.net

HONOURS:

League of Ireland Premier Division: 1988–89, 1996–97 FAI Cup: 1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2022 League of Ireland Cup: 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1999–00, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2018 League of Ireland First Division: 1986–87, 2010 League of Ireland First Division Shield: 1985–86 Irish Football League: 1964–65 IFA Cup: 1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64

Welcome back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for tonight’s game against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Welcome also to Stephen Kenny as well as his players and staff, and the officials and supporters who have travelled from Inchicore for this evening’s game.

Carl Winchester is our featured player interview tonight in the A-Z, but last time out against St Pats, Carl saw a straight red just after the second half re-start to give City an uphill battle, being 1-0 down from the second half already. Pats needed two penalties that night though to get their 2-0 win, but they’ve proven to be a force to be reckoned with since then in the league, and currently sit in third place, one point behind the leaders. It’s still

early days to be looking at the league table of course, but I’d say they’ll be there or there abouts as contenders come the end of the season as well.

In an interesting stat, St Pat’s have only won one game in their last ten visits to the Brandywell, a 3-1 win in October 2019. David Parkhouse with City’s goal to open the scoring, but Chris Forrester, and James Doona (x2), sealed the win for the Saints.

Enjoy the game!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: ________________

Assistant 1: ______________ |Assistant 2: _______________ Fourth Official: _______________ (Officials not announced yet before print deadline)

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

60 Clooney Road, Maydown, Derry, BT47 6TP Tel: (028) 7186 1020 - Email: mail@aeglobal.uk PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I want to welcome you all to tonight’s game and in particular I want to extend a warm welcome to Stephen Kenny and his St Pats team to the Ryan McBride Brandywell.

Our visitors have been among the sides challenging for silverware over the past few seasons and we know the type of threat that they pose.

These however are games that our own players will relish, especially at home, and although it’s the second of three matches in a week, we’ve been looking forward to it.

Unfotunately, I’m again coming to you in advance of Friday night’s match with Shelbourne so I have no recent reference point.

In many ways however that wouldn’t have much influence on tonight’s game as there is more than enough at stake here in its own right.

Given the amount of big games, it’s times like this that you need a full squad and thankfully

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we’re gradually getting a bit closer to having our injured players available again.

I think it’s important to keep our supporters posted on things like that and as I explained in my press conference at the weekend the likes of Pat Hoban and Ben Doherty will hopefully be starting back training next week.

Sadou Diallo might be a week or so behind them, but Cameron Dummigan is probably going to be out for another 8-10 weeks as he recovers from injury setback and surgery earlier this year.

Even so, having the others back in the mix over the coming weeks will certainly give us different options and hopefully we’ll be able to keep everyone fit for a busy summer.

Once again your support will be a huge factor as well, and I hope we can count on you getting right behind the players again this evening.

Enjoy the game

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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DERRY CITY VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1990 Derry’s opposition at Brandywell on Friday 3rd August 1990 were Tottenham Hotspur who had finished third in the English First Division the previous season. Spurs had already beaten Shelbourne in their brief Irish tour.

The 10,000 in attendance at the game witnessed Paul Gascoigne inspire a comfortable victory for the visitors without really moving into top gear. Gascoigne’s mazy runs, feinting, twisting and vision earned him regular applause.

Paul Curran and Felix Healy impressed for City with a youthful Peter Hutton, guesting from Coleraine, putting in a fine second half display.

The Candystripes started brightly, a Healy shot went over the bar and then Curran had the ball in the back of the net after five minutes but it was ruled out for offside.

Spurs went in front after

By Francie McCauley thirteen minutes; Curran blocked a Gascoigne shot on the goal line but the ball fell kindly to Paul Stewart who made no mistake from close range.

Their lead was doubled ten minutes later, a left wing cross from Stewart was headed back into the eighteen yard box by Gascoigne and Gary Lineker chested the ball down before volleying it high into the net. On the half hour mark Stewart put a Gudni Bergsson cross from the right past Tim Dalton for the visitors’ third goal.

Dalton was to deny Stewart his hat trick early in the second half superbly saving his penalty. Jonathan Speak had a shot saved by Bobby Mimms and Dalton made a fine save from Lineker who had been put through by Nayim. With the London side content to keep possession they then controlled the game until the final whistle. Spurs were to fall back in the First Division in season 1990-91 dropping to a tenth-place finish.

The twenty-four-page match programme cost 50p. There was obviously a lot of information on the visitors with five pages devoted to ‘Spurs Pen Pictures’, a profile of Terry Venables in ‘Meet The Manager’, a page from Billy Wilson who was chairman of the ‘Derry

Spurs Supporters’ Club’, Frank Mc Clintock who was assistant editor of City View (himself a Spurs supporter) gave us ‘My Spurs Selection’ and we had a page of ‘Spurs Snippets’.

Other items included a ‘Chairman’s Message’ from Ian Doherty, ‘There’s Money In The Box’ which set out the financial returns available to clubs from television and a ‘Message from William Mc Carter’ who was Managing Director of the Candystripes new sponsor Fruit Of The Loom.

Frank Curran penned an article on Derry’s first European away games Bucharest, Oslo and Brussels in the 1960s.

There were the usual Crossword, Half-time Quiz and team lists. ‘Tonight’s Mascots’ were Eunan Lynch and Declan Meenan. Four pages of adverts completed the programme.

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HIDDEN PERSUADERS Over 67 years ago Vance Packard was the first author to write about the hidden world of motivational research, a technique that advertisers use to get into our brains to subtly persuade us to buy certain products. As I mentioned in an article written last April sponsorship of football clubs world wide is “big money.”

Even looking at the latest estimates for money to be spent this year on just soccer merchandise in these 2 islands, the amount is around £373 million. It is also predicted that by 2029 there will be 8.5 million users ! Focusing in on our own LOI Premier Division the teams have both kit and shirt sponsors -O’Neill’s are kit manufacturers for 4 sides with 2 from Umbro, 2 from Macron, 1 from Puma and 1 from Rebel Army! There are 10 different names on the shirts - a couple of packaging companies with the remainder from a Furniture Supplier, Property Man-

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By Sean McGillan

agement, Security, Builder’s Providers, a bank, a food producer, a work ware business and a beer brewing company.

Across the Irish Sea the English Premiership this season attracts much bigger names with the majority of clubs (11) being sponsored by Gambling firms with total deals just over £101 million. The remainder (excluding Chelsea who haven’t got a sponsor yet) have Financial Services’ companies (3), Entertainment (2) & Air Travel (2) and I from Technology as their backers.

The clubs however will have a self imposed gambling ban on front of shirts from before the 2026/27 season. Nowadays the Premiership has a massive global audience with sponsors who aren’t even based in England. 40% of them are in Asia ! The Championship on the other hand have only 6 sides backed by Gambling Companies, 3 from a Real Estate background &

2 clubs from Technology, 2 from Home Appliances , 2 from Food & Beverage + 2 from Finance. The remaining 7 are sponsored by an airline, Education, Energy, Gaming, Industrial, Pharmaceuticals & Tourism. Finally taking a nostalgic look at sponsorship by drinks’ companies readers will probably remember recently crowned champions Liverpool with their Carlsberg logo back in the 1990s; Newcastle with their Brown Ale, Everton and Chang Beer, not forgetting the famous Guinness shirts worn by Queens Park Rangers & Cork City as well as the Carling brand on Celtic & Rangers’ tops. Our own Candystripes had the Northlands Centre on their jerseys back in 1988, raising awareness of their work.

Up on the old “Glentoran” stand a banner advised us to “Drink Wisely.” The story is told of a visiting fan who had seen the ad asking in the local pub for a pint of Wisely!

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Drogheda Utd

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Shamrock Rvrs

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Galway United

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Last Round’s Results:

This Round’s Fixtures:

Shelbourne

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DERRY CITY

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Bohemians

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Waterford

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Cork City

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MONDAY 2nd MAY Cork City v Shamrock Rvrs Bohemians v Waterford Sligo Rvrs v Drogheda Utd St Pat’s Athletic v Galway Utd DERRY CITY v Shelbourne

MONDAY 2nd MAY Cork City v Shamrock Rvrs Bohemians v Waterford Sligo Rvrs v Drogheda Utd St Pat’s Athletic v Galway Utd DERRY CITY v Shelbourne

Sligo Rovers

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NEXT GAME:

Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers Monday 23rd May, 7.45pm

(League Table & Scores correct up until Thursday 1st May due to print deadlines over the bank holiday)

LANDMARKS: 50 CLEAN SHEETS FOR MAHER In recent games of the season, we have seen a few milestones for both the club and some players.

Firstly, in the game away to Galway, both Robbie Benson and Gavin Whyte scored their first Derry City goals.

In doing so, Robbie Benson became the 250th player to score for the club. Our first goal scorer was Barry McCreadie in our first game, which was against Home Farm on 8th Sept 1985, which saw us record a 3-1 victory. Garry Jones got the other two goals in that game.

Mark Farren with 113 is the club’s leading scorer, followed

by Liam Coyle with 112 and Jonathon Speak with 98.

Rory Patterson 94, Peter Hutton

60, Stuart Gauld 56, Gary Beckett and Sean Hargan both on 55, while Owen DaGama, Alex Krstic and Ciaran Martyn all with 50 are the only players so far to have netted a half century of goals.

Meanwhile in home win over Sligo Rovers, Brian Maher kept his 50th league clean sheet, just the third goalkeeper to achieve this milestone. Dermot O’Neill kept his 50th league clean sheet in Dec1994 in a home game against Cork City, while Gerard Doherty, reached this milestone in May 2011 in a home game against Galway United.

Also in the Sligo game, Danny Mullen, who scored twice in the 3-0 win, was making his 50th league appearance, becoming

the 105th player to reach this milestone.

The first player to play 50 league games for the club was Kevin Mahon in December 1987, as we beat Galway United 3-0 at Terryland Park with goals from Jonathon Speak (2) and Owen Da Gama. Owen DaGama in a home game against Shelbourne in March 1988, was the second player to reach 50 league games, followed by Stuart Gauld against Athlone Town at St Mel’s Park in Oct 1988.

Last season, Cameron Dummigan, Sadou Diallo, Adam O’Reilly and Mark Connolly all made their 50th league appearance for the club, while earlier this season, Paul McMullan also reached this landmark.

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LANDMARKS: 50 CLEAN SHEETS FOR MAHER

By Lawrence Moore

Derry City welcomed some very special guests to Friday night’s game at the Brandywell as our friends from Ardmore Football Club arrived with the Irish Junior Cup that they had won the previous weekend.

The Parish side has enjoyed plenty of success at Intermediate level across the North West in recent years, but like most in the region, the Irish Junior Cup had proven something of a ‘Holy Grail’.

No Derry side had ever won the trophy before this; indeed you had to go back 60 years since the last time it appeared anywhere in the North West, so their decider against Enniskillen at the end of April had plenty riding on it.

Ardmore took a sizeable crowd to Windsor Park on a wet and misty evening, and

their trip looked to be in vain as the Fermanagh side took a 2-goal lead.

They did manage to get one back early enough but there were only 13 minutes left on the clock when the equaliser came.

The Derry side actually went ahead in extra time but Fermanagh drew level to force the game to penalties.

The rest, as they say, is history and despite only getting back to the Bigwood Road in the wee hours, there was no doubting that a party would soon be starting.

They know people in Ardmore, you see, and legend has it that the party was only temporarily halted last Friday so that they could bring the cup here.

It’s never a good idea to single people out in such a momentus event, but Ardmore’s leading goalscorer is one Jack Coyle, son of another decent striker, Liam, while our own Tony Doc actually managed Ardmore in a handful of games this season.

A lot of the players and coaches at Ardmore are regulars at City games and it is only fair that we salute your fantastic achievement!

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

Who were your favourite team as a boy and what got you into them?

CARL WINCHESTER

I grew up as a Celtic fan. It was my Dad that got me into them.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

What is your favourite holiday destination? Or where would you like to go no expense spared?

Vegas is the best I’ve been to.

I IS FOR IDOL... footballer did you idolD IS FOR DRESS SENSE... Which ise as a boy?

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Arlo Doherty! He tried his best every day, God bless him!

Henrik Larsson

E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT...

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

Which team mate would you hate to sit beside on the bus all the way to Cork and why?

Ronan Boyce! He’d be showing me pics of the dinners he makes and I’d be sick the whole way! Smelly dinners!

B IS FOR BOX...

What is your favourite TV show? Either at the minute or of all time.

I’ll say Yellowstone. That was a great show. Watching the prequal shows now.

It’s your turn to choose the music and the film for the team bus for the boys. What are your choices?

For the music, I’d get the rebel tunes on! And for the film, something with Denzel Washington in it. He’s the man!

F IS FOR FUNNY...

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen happen in your time in football?

Not really football related, but probably when I ordered a washing machine and a tumble dryer came and I tried to stick a wash on and I was ringing my mum to see why it wasn’t working! Turns out I ordered the wrong thing!

I thought it was a wash machine but it was a tumble dryer!

J IS FOR JOKER...

G IS FOR GOAL...

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER

What’s been the best goal you’ve ever scored?

Best goal I scored was for Oldham against Swindon, but scoring at the stadium of light for Sunderland was special as well.

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Gavin Whyte or Jackie. Them two boys are funny!

K IS FOR KIT...

What has been your favourite football kit that you’ve ever played in or owned?

Probably one of the Celtic strips when I was young. They were always nice!

PLAYING...

Do you see yourself staying in football when your playing career is over?

Yeah, I’d like to try a career in coaching.

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M IS FOR MEMENTO...

What is the one football memento you own that you’ll never give away?

No, I don’t think I have anything to be honest.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG

Liam Boyce or Mickey Duffy.

Their feet are unreal!

and probably something like an Audi RS8

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY

Who is the best player you’ve ever played with?

Aiden McGeady.

THING...

Which Derry City player do you think could be the next to make a move overseas?

Sean Patton or Glenn McCourt both for their ages have a great chance.

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

Outside of football, do you have any hobbies in your spare time?

Nothing really, I just watch TV or spend time with the family.

How do you keep yourself entertained during away trips or overnights?

Playing cards or usually Robbie has some board games so we play them.

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

If you could change places with someone in another sport for a day, who would it be?

Tom Brady!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

Which opposition do you look forward to playing the most either this year or every year?

Probably Shamrock Rovers as you see them doing so well in Europe, so you’d like to test yourself against them.

THE TIME...

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

Who is the best player you’ve ever played against?

Steven Gerrard.

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

Which Derry City team mate would you definitely not want in your team if you were to do a quiz?

Gavin Whyte! Me, him and his uncle called Conor Burns did a quiz one night and we were terrible!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

Where did you start your youth career, and did you always play in the same position?

I started at Iveagh Youth, my local team from West Belfast, Falls Road. They’re no longer in existance anymore unfortunately.

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

The ones that got us promoted, or the big FA Cup ones. They were incredible.

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

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V IS FOR VEHICLE...

What car do you drive now, and what would you drive if you were in the Premiership?

I drive an Audi at the minute,

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

What club would there be no chance of you ever playing for or supporting?

Rangers as I’m a Celtic fan!

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LISBURN EDGE OUT CANDYSTRIPES

DERRY CITY 0-1 LISBURN LADIES: Lisburn Ladies defeated Derry City Women at the Limavady Showgrounds to complete the second round of games in the VBET Women’s League Cup. Morgan Shannon grabbed the only goal of the game with just under a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after getting on the end of a long ball forward to outsprint the defence and fire across keeper Naomh Barr. Derry City Women dominated for much of the remaining game but failed to breach a resolute Lisburn defensive display.

Derry City Women: Barr, Deery, Walsh, Toland, McMonagle, Dunne, O’Connor-Farren, Redden, CrumlishHawes, McAleer, Hargan subs Temple, McFarland, Johnston, Scott, Sheerin, McDermott, Carlin Lisburn Ladies: Maguire, Hall, Anderson, Peachey, Shannon, Clews, Murphy, Wilson, O’Hare, Gallen, Sweeney subs Alsaidi, Coyle

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

ST. PAT’S ATHLETIC

1 - BRIAN MAHER 2 - RONAN BOYCE 3 - SHANE FERGUSON 4 - CIARON HARKIN 6 - MARK CONNOLLY 7 - MICHAEL DUFFY 8 - ADAM O’REILLY 9 - PATRICK HOBAN 10 - PAUL MCMULLAN 11 - GAVIN WHYTE 13 - ROBBIE BENSON 14 - BEN DOHERTY 15 - SADOU DIALLO 17 - DOM THOMAS 20 - CARL WINCHESTER 21 - DANNY MULLEN 22 - KEVIN HOLT 23 - CAMERON DUMMIGAN 24 - SAM TODD 26 - ARLO DOHERTY 27 - LIAM BOYCE 32 - SEAN PATTON 34 - CALLUM DOHERTY 35 - GLENN MCCOURT 41 - COLE SMYTH

1 - DANNY ROGERS 2 - SEÁN HOARE 3 - ANTHONY BRESLIN 4 - JOE REDMOND 5 - TOM GRIVOSTI 6 - JAMIE LENNON 7 - ZACHARY ELBOUZEDI 8 - CHRIS FORRESTER 9 - MASON MELIA 10 - KIAN LEAVY 11 - JASON MCCLELLAND 14 - BRANDON KAVANAGH 15 - CONOR CARTY 17 - ROMAL PALMER 18 - AIDAN KEENA 19 - BARRY BAGGLEY 20 - JAKE MULRANEY 21 - AXEL SJÖBERG 23 - RYAN MCLAUGHLIN 24 - LUKE TURNER 25 - SIMON POWER 29 - MATT BOYLAN 30 - AL-AMIN KAZEEM 94 - JOSEPH ANANG

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: STEPHEN KENNY

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

60 Clooney Road, Maydown Tel: (028) 7186 1020 Email: mail@aeglobal.uk

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More Powerful Together 22

23 ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Robbie Benson (13) + Gavin Whyte (11) - Shane Ferguson (3) = Danny Mullan (21) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) A house has appeared on the left; 2) Kevin Holt is now number 2; 3) Window has disappeared from house in the background; 4) Player’s arm on the right has disappeared; 5) Danny Mullan’s badge has disappeared from his shorts

Can you spot the FIVE differences between the two photos?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Can you do the maths with the shirt numbers to find out the name of the hidden Derry City player?

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SHIRT NUMBER MATHS CHALLENGE Send us in your photos and drawings to citycubs@derrycityfc.net and we’ll get them printed on the City Cubs page in the programme!!

CITY CUBS CORNER

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Home & Away Live Match Commentary From our Match Night Live team on 105.3fm and online at www.drive105.co.uk

Drive105mnl 28

FANZONE: MEET THE FANS Into the Fanzone tonight we welcome brothers Benjamin and Adam McGeehan. Benjamin and Adam have joined forces (with dad’s help in some places?) to complete tonight’s questionnaire. Probably our youngest supporters into the Fanzone to date! Enjoy their views.

seen play?

Pierrot from Drogheda United Why? He was very fast and caused Derry trouble whenever we played them.

What’s the best ground, apart from the Brandywell, that you’ve seen Derry play in?

Has to be the Aviva Stadium What goal sticks out in your mind?

For me it would be Patrick Hobans last minute penalty against Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell Why? It was a last minute equaliser against our rivals which, at the time, gave us hope in the title race.

Name: Benjamin and Adam McGeehan How long have you been supporting Derry City?

Since 2018

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs 1. Brian Maher

2. Pascal Vaudequin 3. James McClean 4. Peter Hutton 5. Ryan McBride 6. Patrick McEleney 7. Michael Duffy 8. Felix Healy 9. Liam Coyle 10. Mark Farren 11. Paddy McCourt Subs: Jobby Crossan, Stuart Gauld, Gary Beckett Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Stephen Kenny Favourite half time snack?

Chips and a Coke!

What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

A better defence lol or a Scoreboard

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

Usually Mark Farren Stand however will be going to Southend Stand for 2025 season Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Patrick McEleney Why? He is a very creative player and was a fantastic captain Best opposition player you’ve

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THE LEGEND OF ‘FATTY’ FOULKE William Henry “Fatty” Foulke was 6ft 2in tall and weighed 24 stone, he is the reason ball boys exist, forced a change in penalty rules, once polished off 11 breakfasts in a sitting and on one occasion ripped a cupboard door off to confront a hiding, cowering referee... while naked!

From 1874 to 1916. He was a goalkeeper who spent most of his career with Sheffield United, followed by brief spells at Chelsea and Bradford. And as the photos attest, he was indeed a very big lad! His ample frame didn’t go to waste though. It’s believed that at the peak of his youth career he weighed about 14 stone and by the end was over 21 stone!

Not that this prevented him from doing his job. He was one of the most capable goalkeepers of the time, nimble despite his size and who redefined the role with his aggressive style and kicked clearances.

His displays in nets for Blackwell Miners’ Welfare FC as a 19-year-old earned him rave reviews in the local press.

A move to Sheffield United soon followed in a deal that cost them £20 (about £2,500 in today’s money) and proved the catalyst for the most successful period in the club’s history.

In Foulke’s 11 seasons at Bramall Lane, United claimed their maiden First Division title (1897-98), finished runners-up twice (1896-97 & 1899-1900) and won the FA Cup on two occasions (1898-99 & 1901-02).

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At one point he was part of a Blades XI comprised entirely of England internationals, with his sole cap coming in a 4-0 win against Wales at Bramall Lane in March 1897.

“Any footballer that can win two FA Cups, a league title and play for his country in a little over a decade speaks for itself,” Sheffield United historian John Garrett told BBC Sport. “I’ve seen reports describing him as; ‘as big as a mountain, as agile as a cat’.

“It is fair to argue that Foulke was one of football’s first real superstars. There was a showman aspect about him. You think of your Paul Gascoignes with their flamboyance or your mavericks of the 1970s like Tony Currie or Stan Bowles.”

“Ernest Needham, a Sheffield United player who was revered by everyone in football as arguably the best half-back who ever played the game, said Foulke was far and away the best goalkeeper he had ever seen or played with.”

As Foulke increased in size, so did his legend. There are ac-

counts that he once got into the dining room of a hotel he and his team-mates were staying at and polished off all 11 breakfasts.

Another notorious tale followed the 1902 FA Cup final, which saw United concede a controversial late equaliser to Southampton, and which tells of Foulke, naked and dripping from the shower, rampaging after the referee!

It was his celebrity which ensured that even as his skills began to fade, he remained an asset and, when his playing time was curtailed at Bramall Lane, other suitors were happy to tap into his unique appeal.

Having helped put Sheffield United on the map, he was now tasked with doing the same for a newly formed club in west London called Chelsea.

He would stay only a year at Stamford Bridge before the draw of his family, who had remained in the north, grew too great, but his impact was considerable.

Backed by affluent founders Gus and Joseph Mears, Chel-

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TH LEGEND OF ‘FATTY’ FOULKE continued... sea knew how to play the PR machine, and they leant on Foulke’s legend to boost attendances and attention.

Indeed, he made his mark on modern football during this time. Due to his lack of willingness to retrieve the balls that went high and wide, he had the club pay young boys to run and get it for him. The ‘ballboys’ bacame a status symbol for how famous a goalkeeper you were, that you had your club pay for ‘ball-boys’ for you.

Today of course, they’re still very much part of the game.

Another rule he influenced was that of the penalty kick.

He had a knack of saving penalties. His technique was to use his large frame to run towards the ball when the whistle was blown and no one could get it past him. His example was used to pass a new rule that goalkeepers had to stay on their line during spot kicks from then on.

After his year-long London adventure, Foulke would play one more season at the recently formed Bradford City before his body gave up on him, initially in the form of a leg injury, but exacerbated by the impact of inactivity on an already ample physique and the early stages of what would later be diagnosed as cirrhosis, the illness later noted on his death certificate.

He spent his later years in Sheffield, as the owner of a shop on Matilda Street and, at one stage, a beer house. He maintained his status as local legend and could be seen sauntering around the city in tailor-made suits and a hand-made chain around his neck, from which dangled one of his FA Cup winner’s medals!

There would be one last, neat link between Sheffield United and Chelsea that involved Foulke. In the 1915 FA Cup final, United beat the Blues 3-0.

The scorer of the first goal that day, Jimmy Simmons, was the big man’s nephew.

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DERRY CITY & ST PAT’S ATHLETIC: GOALS GALORE

By Pól O’Hare

3 - Derry City 0 - St. Pat’s Athletic 2024 FAI Cup Second Round The Candystripes kicked off their 2024 FAI Cup run by hosting holders St. Patrick’s Athletic in the second round.

Coming off the back of a disappointing UEFA Conference League exit, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side responded by playing their best football of the season – putting three past Stephen Kenny’s side. A Danny Mullen brace was followed by a Michael Duffy winner as City eliminated the 2023 champions. Derry City went on to defeat Cork City, Shelbourne and Bohemians to reach the final before falling to a 2-0 defeat against Drogheda United.

2 - Derry City 1 St. Pat’s Athletic 2024 Premier Division Rnd 3 It was just the third game of the 2024 season as the Candystripes played host to the 2023 FAI Cup winners. The first half wasn’t much to write home about, but Ruairí Keating’s strike just two minutes after the restart gave life to the game. Just shy of twenty minutes later, Pat Hoban found his second goal in red and white to get City level. Some swift attacking football led to Michael Duffy playing the ball into the box in the 92nd minute. Paul McMullan’s dummy

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gave Danny Mullen space to take a touch and stab into the top corner, handing the home side three points early in the campaign and sending the City faithful into raptures.

Derry City 3-0 St. Patrick’s Athletic, 2023 Premier Division, Matchday 36: Goals from Will Patching, Jordan McEneff and current St. Pat’s midfielder Brandon Kavanagh ended the 2023 campaign on a high for the Candystripes. Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men consolidated second place in the table when they put three past the Inchicore side on the final day of last season. Avenging a 4-1 away loss earlier in the season, and a penalty shootout defeat in the FAI Cup in August, the Candystripes played some of their best football all year – dominating with 68% possession.

0 - St Pat’s Athletic 4 - Derry City 2022 Premier Division Another high scoring fixture between these two saw Derry City come out on top in what was one of the Candystripes’ most impressive wins of the 2022 campaign. A Jamie McGonigle double, either side of goals from Matty Smith and Cameron Dummigan, saw the Candystripes hit St. Pat’s for four in Inchicore. It was Derry’s biggest win in Richmond Park since a 3-0 win there in April 2009 and showed that Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side meant business, as they went on to win the FAI Cup that November.

1 - Derry City 0 - St Pat’s Athletic 2018 FAI Cup Second Round

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John Murphy e: johnmurphy@oneills.com m: 07870 158211

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DERRY VS ST PATS: GOALS GALORE continued...

Prior to St. Pat’s’ penalty win over Derry City in the FAI Cup in 2023, the two sides hadn’t faced each other in cup action since the second round in 2018, when Derry City came away 1-0 victors following a late Aidy Delap winner. City keeper Gerard Doherty stole the spotlight however, saving an Ian Turner penalty which would turn out to be the last kick of the game to lift the roof in the Brandywell. The Candystripes beat Blarney United 12-2 in the previous round but fell to a quarter final defeat against Bohemians.

St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Derry City, 2014 FAI Cup Final: The 2014 FAI Cup final saw City and Pat’s pitted against each other for the second cup final in just three seasons, with the Dublin club coming out on top. Christy Fagan, unsatisfied with just one goal in the 2012 final, scored a brace as the Saints won their first FAI Cup since 1961. City winger Michael Duffy and Pats midfielder Chris Forrester both started and are the only members of both the 2012 and 2014 cup final squads to still

play for their respective side.

Both still going strong as two of the Premier Division’s finest eleven years on.

3 - Derry City 2 - St. Pat’s Athletic 2012 FAI Cup Final (AET) Derry City and St. Patrick’s Athletic met each other in the FAI Cup final once again in 2012. Sean O’Connor opened the scoring with a left footed free kick into Gerard Doherty’s top corner but Derry were level within three minutes thanks to a Stewart Greacen header.

Rory Patterson put City ahead, but extra-time was needed after Christy Fagan equalised at the death. Fifteen minutes into extra-time, Patterson bagged his second when he slotted past Brendan Clarke to clinch the cup for Derry. Former Derry manager Ruaidhrí Higgins was brought on the 81st minute, whilst the aforementioned Chris Forrester played the whole 120 minutes as a nineteen year old.

4 - Derry City 3 - St Pat’s Athletic 2006 FAI Cup Final (AET) The 2006 final was the last football match to be held at the old Lansdowne Road before its redevelopment and, despite going behind three times and the game going to extra-time, Derry City triumphed 4-3 to lift their fourth FAI Cup. After beginning his managerial career with St. Patrick Athletic’s under 21 side, the 2006 final was Stephen Kenny’s last game in his first spell as Derry City manager. Kenny, now back in the dugout in Inchicore, remarked on how both teams were fantastic in contributing to a classic cup final. Mark Farren, Clive Delaney, and Peter Hutton scored for the Candystripes that day, with the winning goal cruelly coming from Stephen Brennan who put the ball into his own net.

Dave Mulcahy, Trevor Molloy and Sean O’Connor, who also scored in the 2012 final, netted for the Saints.

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This week... Derry City fan... SEAN MCDAID 1. Now playing for St Pat’s, which club did Derry City sign Brandon Kavanagh from in 2022?

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2. Which club was Stephen Kenny managing prior to his arrival at Derry City for his first spell in 2004?

3. Bayern Munich broke the Bundeslig transfer record paid out when they bought Harry Kane for €95m, but they held it before that as well for signing who in 2019?

4. Can you name the English Premier League legend pictured on the right as a young boy?

5. Which European stadium has a stand called The Trib-

2. une Stand which features text that translates to English as ‘More Than A Club’?

6. Laurie Cunningham was the first English player to sign for Real Madrid in 1979, but who was the next English player to sign twenty year later?

7. Arsenal legend Patrick Viera finished his playing career in 2011 at which club?

8. Stephen Kenny had a very brief playing career, but which club did he make his 4 appearances for in 1994?

SEAN’S ANSWERS: 1) Shamrock Rovers; 2) Bohs; 3) No idea; 4) Wayne Rooney; 5) Nou Camp; 6) Michael Owen?; 7) Can’t remember.

Somewhere in America?; 8) Home Farm I think it was

SEAN’S SCORE: 4 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Shamrock Rovers; 2) Bohemians; 3) Lucas Hernández; 4) Stephen Gerrard; 5) Nou Camp (Barcelona); 6) Steve McManaman; 7) Manchester CIty; 8) Home Farm

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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