Free-kick specialist Jacob Davenport jokes that he won't fall out with Will Patching!

New Derry City midfielder Jacob Davenport promised there will be no fighting over free kicks with his friend and new team mate Will Patching.

The 25-year-old scored one of the goals of the Sky Bet League Two season back in February, when his 95th minute wonder strike sealed a comeback win for Morecambe against Tranmere. His left-footed free kick found the top corner from 25 yards to help the Shrimps come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in memorable fashion. That ability from a dead ball is just one of many attributes that Davenport brings to Derry City, with Ruaidhri Higgins thrilled to add the third part of a former Manchester City midfield three.

“If you look at his pedigree and history for a young man, he's experienced an awful lot. I remember chatting to him a few days ago and he was saying that the whole way through, underage at Man City, it was a midfield three of Davenport, Diallo and Patching, the whole way through, so they are all the same age.

“I would imagine that they never ever thought that the three of them would end up at Derry City together, but it's amazing how things work out and I'm delighted to bring him to the club. Equally, Jacob's happy to be here as well, and we're coming into a really exciting part of the season where he's going to be an important player for us.”

That history with Patching in particular was a big factor in Davenport moving to the Brandywell, with the midfielder admitting he spoke to his former City team mate before moving abroad for the first time in his career.

“I spoke to Patch quite a few times over the years really, just seeing how he was, keeping in touch with him, but then especially the last few weeks and getting more information about the club and the league,” he admitted.

“Patch just had good things to say, he's loved it here, he's enjoying his football and that's the main thing, just enjoying your football.”

“To be honest, I've never had to move away from home before so it is something new, but it's alright. It's just cross the pond and it's literally half an hour flight and I'm home. It's something new and I'm looking forward to it, to be honest.”

“I thought at this stage in my career it was something new to try. It's an exciting project obviously. We're going for the league, we're in Europe and that’s something I've not been able to have a taste of yet. The team play is the style of play that suits me. I've not quite had that the last few years. I think it would have been the best thing for myself.”

Patching has been Derry City’s free kick specialist in recent years, scoring seven times directly from a set-piece, but he has not found the target from a free since September, 2022. He now has competition in that regard, but Davenport promised there would be no falling out over free kicks. “For other age groups he was mainly on the right foot side, I was on the left,” he recalled. “Obviously he's scored quite a few, he's very good at them. It's something we always practised growing up, so it's good to have him in the locker.”

“It’s a part of my game. I practised quite a lot growing up on set-pieces. I back myself any time outside the box. If there is a chance, then hopefully I can score quite a few more.”

New home

Davenport has spent the past few years moving from club to club, having spent time at Morecambe, Stockport and Burton Albion, and with a number of English players finding a new lease of life at the Brandywell in recent times, he is hoping to find some consistency and peace at his new club.

“From the outside, I think a lot of people think football is this glamorous lifestyle, but there's a lot of hard work and sacrifices you have to make,” he acknowledged. “Sometimes it always doesn't go to plan. Sometimes you have to move away from your family, but at the end of the day, you have to do it to make a living. It's something you love.

“Will and Sadou had high things to say about the city and the people here. They said they were all very friendly and welcoming. I can see that from the changing room as well. It looks like a good bunch of lads and I'm sure I'll settle in very well.”