FOOTBALL


Brandywell Stadium


Following a multi-million pound redevelopment, the Brandywell Stadium in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is back in business with a completely new upgraded look. Martin Parke heads up the council-run crew that looks after the two pitches at the facility. Chris McCullough reports


66 PC October/November 2018


Back in business T


he Brandywell Stadium was out of commission for over a year to allow the upgrading work to take place but, after some delays due to inclement winter


weather, the stadium held its first match for home team Derry City Football Club in March of this year.


Known locally as the Candystripes, Derry City FC had moved fifteen miles across the Northern Ireland border to Maginn Park in Buncrana, County Donegal, to play while the work was ongoing, which proved a little daunting for the fans.


Owned by the local council, Derry and


Strabane District Council, the Brandywell has been home to Derry City since its inception in 1928 and now sports a brand new 3G synthetic turf pitch, along with a new all seater stand and changing rooms - and a dog racing track!


It is also currently a temporary home for Institute FC who are somewhat homeless after its stadium was totally ruined in a flood last year.


Institute normally plays at its Riverside


Stadium in Drumahoe but, after heavy rain in August 2017, water levels in the changing rooms reached over seven foot, with five foot of sediment being piled on


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