Brandywell redevelopment: Derry fans to protest this afternoon over ‘broken promises’ to the city

Derry City fans will this afternoon publicly protest, not against the redevelopment of Brandywell Stadium, but against what they claim are “broken promises” to the city.

Barry Davey, a lifelong fan of the Candy Stripes, is spearheading a protest against Derry City and Strabane District Council at the Guildhall this afternoon, in response to the Phase 1 plans which the Derry News brought to the public’s attention in Monday’s edition.

The Council yesterday turned the sod on the Brandywell pitch ahead of what they describe as “a good news story for the city,” but that event comes amid a storm of protest from Derry City supporters and current Brandywell users.

It is the new 955-seater stand, with space for 270 standing on the Moor Road side of the ground which has caused most consternation, with anger over the reduced capacity prompting fans to arrange today’s protest.

Davey is adamant that the protest is not about “moaning for moaning’s sake,” insisting that the fans have genuine grievances.

“The purpose of the protest is to highlight our concerns,” he told the Derry News.

“We were told that we were getting a 3,000 seater stand, but it turns out we’re just getting a 900-seater because all the other funding was circumstantial.

“Clearly, Derry City and Strabane District Council has not been clear enough otherwise there wouldn’t be 100 people going to a protest and there wouldn’t be so much anger on social media.

“But even if they had been clearer, we still would not have agreed to this because it’s just so ridiculous.”

The council insist the 955- seater stand is only part of Phase 1 of the project and hopes to extend it further, depending on the availability of funds from the Stadium Development Fund provided by the NI Executive. This money is not guaranteed however, with the Council set to apply for assistance.

This afternoon’s protest is to take place 4.00pm.

Meanwhile, there will be a public Q&A session at the Sinn Fein Rath Mor offices on Eastway Road in Creggan tomorrow at 5.30pm about the Brandywell redevelopment.