DERRY CITY: Let's begin at Maginn

The ‘Candy Stripes’ will, however, continue to explore further options for a home venue for the latter part of the season as works continue at its traditional home in Brandywell Stadium.

Should they fail to secure a suitable alternative, the club will play the entire 2017 league campaign at the Inishowen venue.

And as Maginn Park does not meet the standards to host European matches, Derry will ‘continue to explore’ other options for hosting its UEFA Europa League qualifying games with the Sligo Showgrounds the likely location.

Season tickets for the 2017 campaign go on sale next week and the club are intending to provide public transport for supporters to travel to and from games.

Derry City has been involved in ongoing negotiations with the Inishowen League with regards the use of Maginn Park for its home matches and are ‘pleased and grateful’ to the management of the venue for the ‘flexibility’ shown.

Preparation work at the venue is already underway and the 220 seats removed from the Brandywell Stadium are in the process of being installed in the stands where they will remain permanently.

Maginn Park will require some remedial work to bring it in line with the FAI’s Premier Division stadium requirements, including emergency lighting and extra toilet facilities.

A statement from a club spokesperson, confirming the news read: “Derry City have let it be known that the initial home games of next season will be played in Maginn Park, Buncrana.

“They are continuing to explore other options for later in the season but, failing any positive outcomes to those explorations, Maginn Park will facilitate the rest of the games.

“The only difficulty presented by the Buncrana venue is one of capacity. For the greater number of matches, the club believes that the capacity will meet the demand but they realise that in some matches, capacity will be limited.

“The club are said to be very pleased and grateful to the management of Maginn for the welcome and the flexibility they have shown to Derry City.

“The club is also exploring ways of providing public transport to and from Buncrana for supporters who don’t drive or who

prefer to go to matches with groups of friends.

“The club have also made it known that season tickets will go on sale next week. In a positive aside, many former players who are now playing football in England and Scotland have contributed to a video presentation, highlighting the exciting upcoming season and encouraging fans to purchase their season tickets.”