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Over the years we have tried all types of transfer "policy" and none have successful beyond the short term. All managers going back to SK's first stint, have tried it with different types of player and the results have been mixed. If our current youth players aren't up to it, then they aren't up to it. The success of a local-based team from years ago was not down to academy work, as we didn't have a functioning academy then. We tried signing Derry born players on a return from England, some worked out some didn't - Molloy, Higgins, Gerard Doherty = good; Harkin, McCafferty, Kennedy bad. We've gone down the "imports from England and Scotland" route - Nicky Low, McJannet, Ally Roy = good; Dunwoody, Seaborne, this is a much longer list = bad. We tried Europeans - Lukas Schubert probably the only success there.

But one which stands out for me and I can't explain why is when we've tried to go "big" and sign established, quality LOI players - Peers, Quigley, Moore, Kavanagh, Kelly (for this season) = relative failures and never got close to their form at the clubs we signed them from.

There is no silver bullet and we have to go season-by-season and see what the market is like. If the youth aren't developing then that needs looked at and fixed. But then we have to look at the market, and if there's nothing in the LOI for us, we have to try England. It is what it is.

Quick question, is it only this Season that Brexit affected our ability to sign players?

The signing of Andre Wisdom I understand. Circumstances dictated why he was at Warrington last year but he has a very good pedigree behind him - over 250 senior appearances so he has experience at high levels.

The other two signings however baffle me. An earlier poster (in relation to our own younger players) said that ''League of Ireland standard requires a huge amount of talent'' and that "senior football is a totally different ball game". Duncan Idehen is 22 years old and has played 16 senior games, Sean Robertson is 23 years old and has played 25 senior games. They were released by their previous clubs at the end of last season and three months later hadn't got fixed up anywhere until Derry City came along. Do we know how they were scouted or how long they have been signed for? How do we know they have a huge amount of talent which can be drawn on for the run in to the League and the Cup?

I think it's more taking a punt and hoping for the best. As you say, it's not exactly if there is much data on these 2 youngsters, and we now live in a football world where it's all about the data. From wiki, nothing looks great on their stats. Nothing that would make them stand out from dozens, maybe hundreds, of other similar players floating around the UK.

As for Andre, yes he has plenty of experience, but it wasn't that recent. His latter career has been lower level stuff, admittedly probay due to the attack he suffered. Hopefully he will have the experience to be a good addition, but from what I saw last night (admittedly his first game) does he offer anything Boyce doesn't?

Time will tell.

Keyser Soze wrote: ↑Sat Aug 24, 2024 4:35 pm I think it's more taking a punt and hoping for the best. As you say, it's not exactly if there is much data on these 2 youngsters, and we now live in a football world where it's all about the data. From wiki, nothing looks great on their stats. Nothing that would make them stand out from dozens, maybe hundreds, of other similar players floating around the UK.

As for Andre, yes he has plenty of experience, but it wasn't that recent. His latter career has been lower level stuff, admittedly probay due to the attack he suffered. Hopefully he will have the experience to be a good addition, but from what I saw last night (admittedly his first game) does he offer anything Boyce doesn't?

Time will tell.

It was 4yrs ago & he was out of football nearly 3yrs because he admittedly rushed his recovery from the attack to try & put himself in the shop window as his contract at Derby was running down & Derby were in financial trouble at the time & he knew it would be unlikely he'd be offered a new one.

Todd is going to Larne I believe.

Gill wrote: ↑Sun Aug 25, 2024 3:08 pm Todd is going to Larne I believe.

Confirmed by the club. It hasn't really worked out for Todd in his time back at the club.

Nige92 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2024 7:05 pm

Gill wrote: ↑Sun Aug 25, 2024 3:08 pm Todd is going to Larne I believe.

Confirmed by the club. It hasn't really worked out for Todd in his time back at the club.

He's only gone on loan to Larne.

brandyball wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2024 7:30 pm

Nige92 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2024 7:05 pm

Gill wrote: ↑Sun Aug 25, 2024 3:08 pm Todd is going to Larne I believe.

Confirmed by the club. It hasn't really worked out for Todd in his time back at the club.

He's only gone on loan to Larne.

Which sees him up to the end of his contract. I would imagine that goal versus Cork will be his sign off in a Derry shirt

Nige92 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 9:24 am

brandyball wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2024 7:30 pm

Nige92 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2024 7:05 pm

Confirmed by the club. It hasn't really worked out for Todd in his time back at the club.

He's only gone on loan to Larne.

Which sees him up to the end of his contract. I would imagine that goal versus Cork will be his sign off in a Derry shirt

“Sam will return to the Brandywell for pre-season training ahead of next season and we wish him every success during his time at Larne.”

Looks like he has at least another year.

If larne win tonight, 7 ex Derry players will play group stage European football this year.

And congratulations to Larne for beating the best team in Gibraltar despite being down to 10 men.

The magnificent Larne Refused to play for a draw this lifts the heart for me Superb attitudev

Marty wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 8:53 pm If larne win tonight, 7 ex Derry players will play group stage European football this year.

McEneff, Todd, Glynn, Thomson - Larne
McEneff - Shamrock Rovers
Daniels and Holden - TNS

Shout out to Oisin Devlin (ex-institute)

Larne and Rovers show how important winning the league is for advancing IN Europe. The champions route gives a club a number of chances!

Reaching a European group stage is absolutely possible for Derry. A realistic dream!

Joe Thomson, a player we should have never let go. Always tried to get forward and attack teams unlike our sideways merchants now. Anyway fair play Larne tonight.

Nige92 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 10:01 pm

Marty wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 8:53 pm If larne win tonight, 7 ex Derry players will play group stage European football this year.

McEneff, Todd, Glynn, Thomson - Larne
McEneff - Shamrock Rovers
Daniels and Holden - TNS

Shout out to Oisin Devlin (ex-institute)

Larne and Rovers show how important winning the league is for advancing IN Europe. The champions route gives a club a number of chances!

Reaching a European group stage is absolutely possible for Derry. A realistic dream!

TNS also made it through that route

We’re top of the league but lost to a pub team. Teams that advance are there on merit alone. If you can’t beat a pub team you should be no where near Europe as it’s embarrassing for everyone associated with the club.

Larne are there on merit and are a model we can look to repeat. Larne and Shels both progressed in their ties.

Our league win probably needs to be this year.

Rovers have just earned €3.8mill from Europe, and now have 6 more games where each win gets them an additional €400,000 and each draw gets them €133,000.

And they have a few very winnable games.

How will we compete with them for players in the next season or two, unless we either win and league and end up in a euro group stage ourselves, or Phil gets the cheque book out!

Keyser Soze wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 6:48 pm How will we compete with them for players in the next season or two, unless we either win and league and end up in a euro group stage ourselves, or Phil gets the cheque book out!

Factor in, if Dublin based or surrounded areas players are free to pick a team in the league, why would they move north? $h£l$ are an attractive prospect because players want to play for Damien Duff. Ditto with Pat's and Kenny, no matter where they finish this year. Players may choose Rovers because of the European Run, the prospect to win trophies and Money. Dublin based players don't want to move north because in Derry 'there is nothing to do' in comparison to Dublin so it comes down to money. You are paying inflated wages on so-so players.

True. I'd say there's a few players in our team only up here because they got an offer they couldn't refuse.