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The 40% requirement is ridiculous. But this is unlikely to be an attempt to single Derry out. Ballymena United are also impacted (the council own their stadium), and possibly Coleraine too (who have a non-council third-party owner). I think Carrick Rangers ground may also be council-owmed too (?).

I think it's not unreasonable to assume that councils have deeper pockets than football clubs, so could contribute more - but not by a factor of 8. Especially after Stormont's 14 years of delay has led to costs rocketing. 10% for council's would seem fair in my mind.

I'm not sure how the 40#% requirement has suddenly dawned upon our council now though? Why did they not pick up on it when the criteria was first announced?

stevebradley wrote: Fri Feb 28, 2025 1:24 am The 40% requirement is ridiculous. But this is unlikely to be an attempt to single Derry out. Ballymena United are also impacted (the council own their stadium), and possibly Coleraine too (who have a non-council third-party owner).

I think it's not unreasonable to assume that councils have deeper pockets than football clubs, so could contribute more - but not by a factor of 8. Especially after Stormont's 14 years of delay has led to costs rocketing. 10% for council's would seem fair in my mind.

I'm not sure how the 40#% requirement has suddenly dawned upon our council now though? Why did they not pick up on it when the criteria was first announced?

I think in the article it says that Dept of Communities funded the business case & as far as council were aware whilst putting together the case along with Derry City that any funding granted would require 5% regardless who owned the stadium. Maybe the delay in the council's reaction comes from a possible belief that they thought Derry City (or Philip) was going to stump up the 40%?

Idiots in office. Another fiasco...

1. Why 40%? why not 15%, 25%, 30% or 45%... - would love to understand the justification.

2. Why are the Council only reacting to this now?

3. If it's only for football clubs in ownership of their own grounds (and not third party ownerships) then how many does that rule out?

4. Incidentally, it will also affect Stute and their application for funds...

Wonder how confident Sean Barrett is now?

Told you don't believe a word that comes out Sean Barretts .mouth

Doesn't matter what kind of stadium we build, as long as there's a plastic pitch in the middle, it's always going to be substandard.

This surely has to be the last season for it?

rodgers wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:39 pm As far as I can see, our next three home games are 28 Feb, 7 March and 4 April.

I don't see the stand holding any fans next week but I am guessing 7 March could be a test event for the stand.

I think we will probably need another test event if the stand is to be fully open by 4 April. Could that be an Institute game or could we possibly organise a friendly on the international weekend in March? A friendly could also help with any remaining fitness issues.

It would be nice if there was any communication from the club to update supporters regarding what the current position is.

The council have asked for an extension to the deadline and also stated they can't afford the 40% contribution.

I took these earlier today.

Looks superb with the covers off and the red seats on show.

After tomorrow we don't have a home game for another month - by which stage surely it will be ready !? Stute have 2 home games in the second-half of March, so could they be used as the 'test' events to get the stand its license? The Stute crowd size is usually fairly small for the Mark Farren as it is , without chucking another stand into the mix. But maybe they could do an appeal for Derry fans to go along and help with the test. Offer a low price/discount in for City season ticket holders etc (which Stute had last year, but seem to have stopped now).

stevebradley wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 6:33 pm Looks superb with the covers off and the red seats on show.

After tomorrow we don't have a home game for another month - by which stage surely it will be ready !? Stute have 2 home games in the second-half of March, so could they be used as the 'test' events to get the stand its license? The Stute crowd size is usually fairly small for the Mark Farren as it is , without chucking another stand into the mix. But maybe they could do an appeal for Derry fans to go along and help with the test. Offer a low price/discount in for City season ticket holders etc (which Stute had last year, but seem to have stopped now).

Or free admission .

brandyball wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 6:38 pm

stevebradley wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 6:33 pm Looks superb with the covers off and the red seats on show.

After tomorrow we don't have a home game for another month - by which stage surely it will be ready !? Stute have 2 home games in the second-half of March, so could they be used as the 'test' events to get the stand its license? The Stute crowd size is usually fairly small for the Mark Farren as it is , without chucking another stand into the mix. But maybe they could do an appeal for Derry fans to go along and help with the test. Offer a low price/discount in for City season ticket holders etc (which Stute had last year, but seem to have stopped now).

Or free admission .

Aye - though that would be for Stute to decide, and presumably someone would need to compensate them as a result. But surely some sort of arrangeemnt could be reached if it made sense to use an existing scheduled Stute game to get the test event over and done with.

I heard today part of new stand will be open tomorrow night

Where did you hear this?

It's ridiculous there's no announcement on that from the club if correct.

magspat wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:49 pm I heard today part of new stand will be open tomorrow night

So tomorrow night as the test event, and then open full for the Cork game on 4th April?

magspat wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:49 pm I heard today part of new stand will be open tomorrow night

Surely they would have to sell tickets specifically for the new stand in that case, and there's been no word on that.

Keyser Soze wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:31 pm

magspat wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:49 pm I heard today part of new stand will be open tomorrow night

Surely they would have to sell tickets specifically for the new stand in that case, and there's been no word on that.

They could direct anyone with a terrace ticket into the new stand (though they'd be entitled to say they wanted to stand by the sides instead) ?

I was doing a delivery today to the stadium the worker there told me it partly open tomorrow for the Galway match .

stevebradley wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:47 pm

Keyser Soze wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:31 pm

magspat wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 7:49 pm I heard today part of new stand will be open tomorrow night

Surely they would have to sell tickets specifically for the new stand in that case, and there's been no word on that.

They could direct anyone with a terrace ticket into the new stand (though they'd be entitled to say they wanted to stand by the sides instead) ?

Those who were moved from block K, L, M I think have season tickets for it maybe they'll be the ones in it for tomorrow night?

dcfc_jp_1989 wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 12:18 am

stevebradley wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:47 pm

Keyser Soze wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:31 pm

Surely they would have to sell tickets specifically for the new stand in that case, and there's been no word on that.

They could direct anyone with a terrace ticket into the new stand (though they'd be entitled to say they wanted to stand by the sides instead) ?

Those who were moved from block K, L, M I think have season tickets for it maybe they'll be the ones in it for tomorrow night?

Did the club not say they weren't doing season tickets for it until it was confirmed when it would open?