Dundalk vs Derry City Match Thread

[marcoloco]

That pitch & stadium are an embarrassment for the league. Understable why the big tv channels don’t want to invest in that product just yet.

The Brandywell?

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies. These pitches should be banned from 'elite' level football. But sadly were still seeing teams switching across to plastic. Very short sighted.

[dcfc_jp_1989]

That pitch & stadium are an embarrassment for the league. Understable why the big tv channels don’t want to invest in that product just yet.

The Brandywell?

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies. These pitches should be banned from 'elite' level football. But sadly were still seeing teams switching across to plastic. Very short sighted.

Was chatting to someone a few months ago who said the FAI are keen to ban them in the Premier Division but are reluctant to do it whilst teams in the Premier Division have them. We're now the only team in the division with a plastic pitch which was supposed to be coming to the end of its lifespan at the end of 2023, it currently has a FIFA certificate until July 2025.

A financial report on the replacement of the pitch a couple of months ago seemed to point towards the installation of a grass pitch but I also got the feeling that it was indicating Derry City would eventually end up paying for it. It would be interesting to see if we did replace it with a grass pitch before Dundalk come back to the Premier Division whether or not the FAI go ahead with their plan to ban them at the top level in Ireland.

Provided Athlone don't win the play-offs the First Division will have 4 teams with a plastic pitch

[marcoloco]

The Brandywell?

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies. These pitches should be banned from 'elite' level football. But sadly were still seeing teams switching across to plastic. Very short sighted.

Was chatting to someone a few months ago who said the FAI are keen to ban them in the Premier Division but are reluctant to do it whilst teams in the Premier Division have them. We're now the only team in the division with a plastic pitch which was supposed to be coming to the end of its lifespan at the end of 2023, it currently has a FIFA certificate until July 2025.

A financial report on the replacement of the pitch a couple of months ago seemed to point towards the installation of a grass pitch but I also got the feeling that it was indicating Derry City would eventually end up paying for it. It would be interesting to see if we did replace it with a grass pitch before Dundalk come back to the Premier Division whether or not the FAI go ahead with their plan to ban them at the top level in Ireland.

Provided Athlone don't win the play-offs the First Division will have 4 teams with a plastic pitch

4 from 10 teams playing on plastic? They should be phased out and banned.

Sadly, the FAI won't do anything proactive. Probably will get worse before better.

[stevebradley]

The Brandywell?

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies. These pitches should be banned from 'elite' level football. But sadly were still seeing teams switching across to plastic. Very short sighted.

Was chatting to someone a few months ago who said the FAI are keen to ban them in the Premier Division but are reluctant to do it whilst teams in the Premier Division have them. We're now the only team in the division with a plastic pitch which was supposed to be coming to the end of its lifespan at the end of 2023, it currently has a FIFA certificate until July 2025.

A financial report on the replacement of the pitch a couple of months ago seemed to point towards the installation of a grass pitch but I also got the feeling that it was indicating Derry City would eventually end up paying for it. It would be interesting to see if we did replace it with a grass pitch before Dundalk come back to the Premier Division whether or not the FAI go ahead with their plan to ban them at the top level in Ireland.

Provided Athlone don't win the play-offs the First Division will have 4 teams with a plastic pitch

Our pitch is only 5yrs old (firt installed at start of 2018), and depending on usage are supposed to last up to 10yrs. Where did you get the info that it reaches the end of its lifespan in 2 months ?

[Keyser Soze]

First match on it was the 5 nil Limerick win, and that was March 2018, so over 6.5yrs ago.

Ripping the pitch up would improve the spectacle imho, but the Council have to weigh up the economics of not having it being used all the time. They'd lose a lot of income.

[TenaciousDee]

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies.

Along with Tallaght, Turner's Cross, and to a degree Rochmond and EDP, visually I would say the Brandywell comes across well on the TV. If we could get rid of those bloody nets behind the goals on the Showgrounds end it would look much better. In terms of the pitch though, people can say what they like about that surface but Sligo on Monday night showed you can play a good standard on that pitch.

[marcoloco]

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies.

Along with Tallaght, Turner's Cross, and to a degree Rochmond and EDP, visually I would say the Brandywell comes across well on the TV. If we could get rid of those bloody nets behind the goals on the Showgrounds end it would look much better. In terms of the pitch though, people can say what they like about that surface but Sligo on Monday night showed you can play a good standard on that pitch.

I'd agree with that. Especially once the new stand is completed the Brandywell will look very well indeed. Obviously there's the other side which then lets it down. Maybe a large ball stop would work behind the goals. You could sell advertising space on it and it would help enclose the pitch and block out those nets.

[Greengo]

Ripping the pitch up would improve the spectacle imho, but the Council have to weigh up the economics of not having it being used all the time. They'd lose a lot of income.

So put the plastic on the showgrounds pitch... But shure thats a simple reason made by a member of the public and not some bigwig in council...

I look at the pitch all the time and wonder why it was never put in the Showgrounds... Stute are hardly bringing thousands through the gates on a Saturday... The weemins team are hardly bringing thousands through the turnstiles when they play...

Look at some of the traffic lights and roads sense around the town... Honest tay fuck, I firmly believe that decisions on changes are made by people not from the local area... Same thing goes with the Brandywell... Imagine if we had've progressed in Europe this year again or indeed in the future and find ourselves progressing and having to play in Dublin, cos plastic pitches arent allowed...

They arent allowed for a reason and that is the elephant in the room that no one talks about... Decent standard football is played on grass, simple as...

[stevebradley]

First match on it was the 5 nil Limerick win, and that was March 2018, so over 6.5yrs ago.

Ripping the pitch up would improve the spectacle imho, but the Council have to weigh up the economics of not having it being used all the time. They'd lose a lot of income.

Jeez - I can't count

[stevebradley]

Ripping the pitch up would improve the spectacle imho, but the Council have to weigh up the economics of not having it being used all the time. They'd lose a lot of income.

So put the plastic on the showgrounds pitch... But shure thats a simple reason made by a member of the public and not some bigwig in council...

I look at the pitch all the time and wonder why it was never put in the Showgrounds... Stute are hardly bringing thousands through the gates on a Saturday... The weemins team are hardly bringing thousands through the turnstiles when they play...

Look at some of the traffic lights and roads sense around the town... Honest tay fuck, I firmly believe that decisions on changes are made by people not from the local area... Same thing goes with the Brandywell... Imagine if we had've progressed in Europe this year again or indeed in the future and find ourselves progressing and having to play in Dublin, cos plastic pitches arent allowed...

They arent allowed for a reason and that is the elephant in the room that no one talks about... Decent standard football is played on grass, simple as...

We wouldn't have been allowed to progress far in Europe with Brandywell for a whole number of reasons, not just the pitch.

I'd love to see an analysis of whether or not Brandywell is ever likely to be able to host European groups stage football. That requires all sorts of things, including :

- 150 VIP parking spaces,
- 600 VIP seats,
- a huge 400sqm hospitality area (i.e. about the size of 8 or 9 one bed flats)
- A press box with 100 seats, half of which must have desks.
- A press conference room with AT LEAST 75 seats.
- A 1,000sqm outside broadcast van area (i.e about the size of 20-25 1 bedroom flats).
- 2 TV studios.
- 25 commentary positions.

Are we realistically ever going to be able to fit all of that at the Brandywell ?

[dcfc_jp_1989]

Brandywell is in a better condition but the same applies. These pitches should be banned from 'elite' level football. But sadly were still seeing teams switching across to plastic. Very short sighted.

Was chatting to someone a few months ago who said the FAI are keen to ban them in the Premier Division but are reluctant to do it whilst teams in the Premier Division have them. We're now the only team in the division with a plastic pitch which was supposed to be coming to the end of its lifespan at the end of 2023, it currently has a FIFA certificate until July 2025.

A financial report on the replacement of the pitch a couple of months ago seemed to point towards the installation of a grass pitch but I also got the feeling that it was indicating Derry City would eventually end up paying for it. It would be interesting to see if we did replace it with a grass pitch before Dundalk come back to the Premier Division whether or not the FAI go ahead with their plan to ban them at the top level in Ireland.

Provided Athlone don't win the play-offs the First Division will have 4 teams with a plastic pitch

Our pitch is only 5yrs old (firt installed at start of 2018), and depending on usage are supposed to last up to 10yrs. Where did you get the info that it reaches the end of its lifespan in 2 months ?

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/foot ... ai-3993468

Above is the article stating that we'd be unlikely be able to use it beyond 2023. When UEFA/FIFA inspect it prior to European competition it gets a 1yr certificate, we got using it in 2024 which would suggest that we'll be able to use it for Europe in July 2025 as well.

[magspat]

Regarding the artificial pitch if the fai decided tomorrow or a years time the pitch is not fit for purpose whats the alternative. Derry City council say they have no money to upgrade Philip O Doherty doesn't seem to to anxious to foot the bill and why should he ,I think £500,000 is the cheapest option to replace what happens next Supporters fundraising?.

[Keyser Soze]

Regarding the artificial pitch if the fai decided tomorrow or a years time the pitch is not fit for purpose whats the alternative. Derry City council say they have no money to upgrade Philip O Doherty doesn't seem to to anxious to foot the bill and why should he ,I think £500,000 is the cheapest option to replace what happens next Supporters fundraising?.

Might be just Derry rumours, but i had heard that POD offered to replace the pitch at his expense and was told no.

[Keyser Soze]

Ripping the pitch up would improve the spectacle imho, but the Council have to weigh up the economics of not having it being used all the time. They'd lose a lot of income.

So put the plastic on the showgrounds pitch... But shure thats a simple reason made by a member of the public and not some bigwig in council...

I look at the pitch all the time and wonder why it was never put in the Showgrounds... Stute are hardly bringing thousands through the gates on a Saturday... The weemins team are hardly bringing thousands through the turnstiles when they play...

Look at some of the traffic lights and roads sense around the town... Honest tay fuck, I firmly believe that decisions on changes are made by people not from the local area... Same thing goes with the Brandywell... Imagine if we had've progressed in Europe this year again or indeed in the future and find ourselves progressing and having to play in Dublin, cos plastic pitches arent allowed...

They arent allowed for a reason and that is the elephant in the room that no one talks about... Decent standard football is played on grass, simple as...

We wouldn't have been allowed to progress far in Europe with Brandywell for a whole number of reasons, not just the pitch.

I'd love to see an analysis of whether or not Brandywell is ever likely to be able to host European groups stage football. That requires all sorts of things, including :

- 150 VIP parking spaces,
- 600 VIP seats,
- a huge 400sqm hospitality area (i.e. about the size of 8 or 9 one bed flats)
- A press box with 100 seats, half of which must have desks.
- A press conference room with AT LEAST 75 seats.
- A 1,000sqm outside broadcast van area (i.e about the size of 20-25 1 bedroom flats).
- 2 TV studios.
- 25 commentary positions.

Are we realistically ever going to be able to fit all of that at the Brandywell ?

Simple answer to that list, is never.

[stevebradley]

So put the plastic on the showgrounds pitch... But shure thats a simple reason made by a member of the public and not some bigwig in council...

I look at the pitch all the time and wonder why it was never put in the Showgrounds... Stute are hardly bringing thousands through the gates on a Saturday... The weemins team are hardly bringing thousands through the turnstiles when they play...

Look at some of the traffic lights and roads sense around the town... Honest tay fuck, I firmly believe that decisions on changes are made by people not from the local area... Same thing goes with the Brandywell... Imagine if we had've progressed in Europe this year again or indeed in the future and find ourselves progressing and having to play in Dublin, cos plastic pitches arent allowed...

They arent allowed for a reason and that is the elephant in the room that no one talks about... Decent standard football is played on grass, simple as...

We wouldn't have been allowed to progress far in Europe with Brandywell for a whole number of reasons, not just the pitch.

I'd love to see an analysis of whether or not Brandywell is ever likely to be able to host European groups stage football. That requires all sorts of things, including :

- 150 VIP parking spaces,
- 600 VIP seats,
- a huge 400sqm hospitality area (i.e. about the size of 8 or 9 one bed flats)
- A press box with 100 seats, half of which must have desks.
- A press conference room with AT LEAST 75 seats.
- A 1,000sqm outside broadcast van area (i.e about the size of 20-25 1 bedroom flats).
- 2 TV studios.
- 25 commentary positions.

Are we realistically ever going to be able to fit all of that at the Brandywell ?

Simple answer to that list, is never.

So if the Brandywell is never going to be able to reach Category 4 status - which would be required for us to play at the level that Rovers and Larne are this year - then the obvious question is = why are we persisting with the stadium?

[Keyser Soze]

A very good question.
But one we are never given answers to.

[magspat]

If all that criteria is required for European matches forget about the brandy, we might have to move to oriel lol.

[marcoloco]

Building a new stadium at Templemore would require 20M investment, so is a pipe dream. It also requires Council to hand over land.

Extending the Brandywell incrementally and possibly incorporating the Showgrounds in the future is more plausible route to hosting European football in the City. Council also would be required to hand over the land.

However, both options are a pipe dream if we can't overcome a pub team in Europe's preliminary round. If we're not building any revenue we're entirely reliant on hand outs.

[stevebradley]

Building a new stadium at Templemore would require 20M investment, so is a pipe dream. It also requires Council to hand over land.

How is it a pipe dream? The person whio finances our club is a feckin' multi-billionaire. He's already spending over £1m on a stand in a stadium we don't own, and is talking about spending similar sums on a new pitch and another new stand. POD could build us a £100m stadium if he wanted to. He's probably burned something like £10m on playesr over the years he's been involved with us, and what does anyone have to show for that?

And the good news is that he wouldn't have to pay for it all anyway. The councul needs to spend money on Templemore itself, so there's an opportunity to have a new mixed use civic stadium/sports campus there - combined with community facilities - with Derry City as the anchor tenants on a long lease.

There is also an opportunity for other funders to be brought to the table. Not only Stormont - who we're asking to spend yet more money on a stadium we don't own. But also the developers of the tens of thousands of new homes in that area. They will all be required to make a contribution towards community facilities - some of which could be covered as part of the mixed-use civic stadium/sports campus at Templemore. Translink and the Department for Ingrastructure want to build a new park and ride for the city as part of the Buncrana Road widening project - so havng it at this new stadium would also tick that box and provide the car park for the facility largely at their cost as part of a senisble use of centrally-located land (no point building another separate P&R a few hundred metres away). And then if all or part of the Brandywell site was sold off it would then also help fund the new stadium project.

So it's pretty feckin' far from being a pipe dream.

Extending the Brandywell incrementally and possibly incorporating the Showgrounds in the future is more plausible route to hosting European football in the City. Council also would be required to hand over the land.

Is it plausible though? An attempt was made in 2016-17 to get rid of the doggymen from the Brandywell site, and that didn't work. And where would 8,000 supporters park at Eurooean games when the stadium itself has to provide 600 VIP spaces? The Brandywell is an implausible location for hosting a crowd of that size with requirements of that scale for fixtures of that magnitude. Rovers managed to draw Chelsea in their group games. Could you imagine a club like that - or even half that size - trying to be hosted at the Brnadywlel location? May as wel play it on the feckin' Daisyfield

However, both options are a pipe dream if we can't overcome a pub team in Europe's preliminary round. If we're not building any revenue we're entirely reliant on hand outs.

Nothing is a pipe dream when you're a multi-billionaire. Absolutely nothing.

Having a purpose-built home of our own - where from the design phase with the council on things like playing surface, commercial facilities, non-matchday usage etc etc - would be the cornerstone of us no-longer relying on handouts. The Brandywell is essentially our financial bail hostel. Becuase we're homeless and can't generate enough income for ourselves.

[marcoloco]

Steve,

I'd love nothing more than a modern, fit for purpose new multi-purpose stadium in Templemore. A proper sub-regional stadia project for the northwest. It would pull in crowds from across the City and Donegal. It could also incorporate training facilities and we'd suddenly look like an inviting prospect for future investment and a big money take over. No one is arguing that the concept or the location isn't the ideal solution. We are all on board for that.

Now for the reality check. It's entirely reliant on POD financing the project. The fact he's spending 1m on a new stand for the Brandywell and exploring pitch replacement probably tells you that he has no intention on pivoting away and spending another 20M elsewhere. So, unless you know something the others don't and POD is willing to spill another 20M it's a pipe dream.

If there comes a time that the Brandywell is bursting at the seams and we need more space, ie. another new stand, then that is the time to relocate the doggy men. To do it now is premature and unnecessary. So that is not a serious barrier to future development.