derrycitychat.com

rodgers wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:00 pm Would it be possible to have this streamed or have a recording put up online afterwards? I think Dundalk may have done something similar recently.

magspat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:06 pm Surprising this wasn't done before the league started.

magspat wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:06 pm Surprising this wasn't done before the league started.

barry wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:07 pm JP's summary

New stand to be ready by July provided the weather plays ball. It will be 2900 for domestic games & 1800 for European games with the fold down seats similar to what is in Celtic Park & stadiums in England.

A business case will be put forward in the next few weeks (by end of March) for the funding to complete the MF stand as it is expected the money will be released in the coming months. Sean Barrett commented that the club had to make the case that we were entitled to the money from sub-regional stadia fund because we are based in the jurisdiction even if we don't play our football in it as apparently some figures (didn't say who) were claiming the money was only for Irish League clubs. He also said that we are the only club ticking all the criteria of those who are looking to increase their capacity. Name dropped Glentoran & Glenavon as two clubs who want bigger stadiums but can't sell out their current stadium - we're the only club in the North doing that.

John Kelpie from the council was in attendance & fielded questions about the pitch. The council has been working with Derry City & the FAI as regards to what is best going forward, hasn't ruled out a return to grass & also stated that the loss in revenue that will come with a return to grass won't be the deciding factor.

When asked by Paul Hegarty if they could install a proper sprinkling system to the current pitch whilst they make a decision on a new pitch he said that if the decision on a new pitch was to be years away then they would consider it but the preferred option is to "go for gold" get a decision asap & along with a new pitch install a sprinkler system too.

Ruaidhri was asked about the injured players. Whelan - if all goes to plan will be back in the first half of the season, Jackie - has been given the all clear & will more than likely play 6 or 7 matches either in arranged friendlies or for the u20s as an overaged player, Fats - not too serious, could be back for Sligo - if it was the last game of the season then he would've played last night. Connolly - going for a scan on Monday, Diallo - 6/7 weeks away.

Other comments

It was fai not Linfield or IFA that stopped us playing at Windsor.

There was some chat that DCC would be open to discussions about Derry taking over the Brandywell in its entirety, if there was consent from other stakeholders. This would require a decision from Councillors

rodgers wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:20 pm
The "loss" in revenue from switching to grass is a total red herring anyway since whatever extra annual income a plastic pitch does generate is wiped out by the cost of the continaul replacement of the plastic pitch once it reaches the end of its lifespan.

rodgers wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:12 am I am working off the most recent set of figures that I can find provided by Council (January 2023) so I am happy to say it, but thanks.

http://meetings.derrycityandstrabanedis ... tadium.pdf

There's no reference to maintenance costs in that document, but by my rough workings, grass maintenance would need to be around 400k more expensive over the course of 8 years in order for it to be, as you put it, less black and white than I am suggesting. I honestly don't know what those relative costs are so if you have access to those figures, that would be very helpful.

If Council can find someone to provide the cost of replacement every 8 years, great.

I can show workings but don't want to sidetrack this thread. However, the figures should be easy enough to figure out.

Was there any mention at the forum about where a European game might be this year?

Sean Barrett commented that the club had to make the case that we were entitled to the money from sub-regional stadia fund because we are based in the jurisdiction even if we don't play our football in it as apparently some figures (didn't say who) were claiming the money was only for Irish League clubs.