THE PRESIDENT of the Buncrana Chamber of Commerce, Ryan Stewart, says confirmation that Derry City will be based in Maginn Park next season is an ‘opportunity’ for the town.
While their Brandywell home is being redeveloped, Derry City will play their ‘initial home games’ in the 2017 season at Maginn.
The news was confirmed yesterday evening by the Foyleside club and has been welcomed by the head of the local Chamber.
“We had been hopeful of this for a year and a bit since we knew that this was a possibility,” Mr Stewart told Donegal Daily.
“We have at least the start of the season, but we could have more than that.
“From a town perspective, this isn’t just Derry City coming in here – this is also an opportunity for the town to market itself to visiting fans.
“It’s hard to put an economic estimate on this in terms of the benefit, but we’re talking roughly 2,000 fans at a time here.
“It’s a marketing opportunity. Fans will be coming from all over so we have to take that opportunity.
“We have a great town in Buncrana and we want these people to come back with their families again.”
Derry City are set to lay on transport to and from Buncrana for supporters and are to install seats in the stand at Maginn Park, which would then stay permanently at the venue.
Derry are also set to carry out a number of other works at the Inishowen League’s home ground.
Ryan Stewart
Mr Stewart said: “Maginn Park has a perfect playing surface. This is a great deal for Maginn Park too with the refurbishment works that will happen. The only pity is that we won’t see Europa League games there.”
Kenny Shiels’ Candystripes qualified for next season’s Europa League after finishing third in the Premier Division this season, but will move their home games in Europe to a larger venue.
While the availability parking in the vicinity has been questioned, Mr Stewart does not see this as an issue.
“We wouldn’t be overly concerned about the parking at all,” he said.
“It’s just about getting the process right. There are large empty spaces in the town – there are two acres opposite the Garda station, for example – and we are talking up to 2,000 people, not tens of thousands.
“If the procedures and the processes are right, there won’t be an issue.”
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