Ryan McBride foundation set up to help Derry's next generation of football talent

The family of Ryan McBride yesterday announced they will be setting up a charitable foundation in his memory to nurture the next generation of football stars.

The aim of the foundation is to help young people achieve their potential, by supporting and assisting young players to achieve what he did.

The former Derry City captain died suddenly last month at the age of only 27.

His father, Lexie McBride, who his chairman of board, says he hopes there will be ‘another Ryan McBride coming through’ in the city.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the foundation yesterday, Ryan’s sister Caitlin McBride said it will work with young people from across Derry.

“We are setting up this foundation to remember Ryan.

“Football was a big part of his life so this is the main focus of the foundation.

“In conjunction with Derry City we are going to work with the community, cross community, and help young people to develop through coaching and mentoring and there is going to be a summer schemes and into local schools.

“It is developing at the minute and there are different ideas floating about but obviously when it is set in stone they will put that out there.”

Ryan’s father and his sister Caitlin are joined on the board of directors by Ryan’s partner Mairead McKenna, Derry City manager Kenny Shiels, former Derry striker Liam Coyle, Karen Pyne of Derry City Cubs, club captain Gerard Doherty and Caitlin’s partner and foundation founder Gareth McCay.

The McBride family and Ryan’s partner Mairead are using the money that was raised in his memory to start the foundation.

The first act of the foundation will be to provide football kits and equipment to local schools and to provide coaching and mentoring across the community.

It will also be establishing a ‘Ryan McBride Scholarship’ for one young player each year.

DCFC manager Kenny Shiels said Ryan epitomised hard work and how to become a professional footballer through a different path.

“Ryan had a dream to play for Derry City Football Club. That was his goal and he achieved that.

“The legacy he has left behind is not only did he achieve that he became manage that he became captain of the club

“It’s like a fairytale people will go through their whole life and not be able to achieve that.”

“It’s to try and inspire young footballers to turn their life around,” added Liam Coyle.

“Everyone wants to be a footballer- it’s about trying will put things in place to give them the right opportunities and chances

“I think it is fitting Ryan wasn’t the archetypal footballer he came up through the D&D and the Saturday morning leagues.

“He wasn’t an academy footballer and he worked hard to get where he was.”

Mr Coyle paid tribute to Ryan’s family and his partner for their decision to start the foundation.

“I don’t think Ryan McBride will ever be forgotten.

“It’s a thing to keep his name alive and the McBride family have shown great strength in doing this.

“Its still very raw, its only a few weeks back and they have had the strength and courage to put this in place and show everyone that they are moving on.

“But obviously Ryan will never be forgotten, and especially not by the family.”