Is the time right for Derry City to return to the Irish League? A leading figure in local football thinks it is

A leading football figure in Northern Ireland has suggested that the time is right for Derry City to return to the Irish League.

Derry City were kicked out of the Irish League in the early 1970s after a visiting team’s bus was set alight.

Despite several attempts, the club was not allowed back into the league and joined the League of Ireland in 1985.

Liam Beckett both played and managed in the Irish League and is now a BBC commentator on local games.

In his weekly column in today’s Sunday Life newspaper, Beckett raises concern about the abilities of teams in the Irish League Championship to make the move up to the league’s Premiership.

“Given these facts and with us all wanting to see a competitive Premiership, would the time now be appropriate to invite Derry City back into the Irish League? I personally think so,” writes Beckett.

“Of course, the Candystripes may well not want to return, in fact I’m almost certain the last poll the club conducted on this very subject suggested that they would be reluctant to make such a comeback.

“But I think if we did it properly, it may well sow the seeds for a re-think.

“We’ve all got to park our political thoughts and views on this subject and approach it with a clear mindset and a clean slate to ensure we concentrate only on what is best for the future of Irish League football.

“The thought of Derry City playing at a ‘new’ Brandywell Stadium in the Irish League would, in my opinion, most definitely revitalise our Premiership and it would be good for the Candystripes as well.”