Mark McChrystal 'privileged' to lead Derry City into new season as club captain

As Conor McCormack leads the troops on the pitch, McChrystal's experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to the team and particularly the club's underage representatives.

He's captained Bristol Rovers and Tranmere Rovers during his distinguished career in England and City boss, Declan Devine believes the centre-half will be 'an unbelievable mentor', a role model and a trusted aid in the dressing room.

"Mark McChrystal is at an age where he's coming towards the end of his career," said Devine. "He's our Ulster Senior League manager. He's our Under-13 manager so he's got all these roles at the club at the minute.

"I speak to Mark on a nightly basis about how the young lads are doing and he's got an unbelievable attitude and his dedication to football over the course of the last 15 to 20 years has been second to none.

"Mark might not play the games that's expected but he's an unbelievable mentor for everyone at the club, myself included, in terms of how he lives his life and goes about his job. I think he deserves to be club captain."

The centre-half returned for his fourth spell at the Brandywell in July last season and while he recognises he will be once again playing second fiddle to both Ally Gilchrist and Eoin Toal at the heart of the City defence, he's excited about his new role and the responsibility which comes with it.

"It's a privilege to captain your hometown team," he said. "Anybody local would want to do it so it's great to be asked.

"Everyone knows I've been here a few times. I've won trophies here, I know it works. The lads know me inside out and every club I've been at I fulfilled that role so it's nothing new to me really.

"It's great to be the club captain and I'm really enjoying my other roles within the club as well. The fact that I've been here so many times tells you that it's my club. I'm loving it as the minute and looking forward to the season ahead.

"If I can play my part in helping this club keep improving and hopefully get it back to the top of Irish football where it should be at then I'll be more than happy."

He was able to balance the playing side of things with his coaching role last season and he's confident he can make a significant impact on all fronts again this season.

"I'm club captain but I also have a role with the U13s and reserves so I have the responsibility of showing them the way forward and how to have a career in the game.

"Around the dressing room I'm a senior figure and I've done the role at most clubs I've been at. Conor (McCormack) is there as well and he will obviously play more than me and can take that leadership role on the pitch.

"We have Jackie (Ciaron Harkin) there as well as vice captain so it's a team. There's a lot of roles to fulfil in and around football teams which people might not realise and it's between the three of us to sort those things out.

"It's a very young squad and they need a bit of leadership amongst it. They've worked extremely hard over the last six weeks. They're a great bunch and anyone who has come in, whether it was trialists who came and went or trialists who signed, they've all made them welcome and that's a good sign."

Senior figures like McChrystal, McCormack, Ciaron Coll and Peter Cherrie will be crucial this season if Derry are to improve on last season's fourth place finish.

"We have a lot of experience to pass on. Peter Cherrie and even Conor Clifford has been about for a while too. There's lads there who have experienced a good level of football and who can be a great asset to the football club with regards to bringing young players on which is a big thing with this club moving forward.

"We have to produce our own and bring players through and teach them how to be professional and make themselves a career in the game."

McChrystal has been thoroughly impressed by the attitude in the pre-season camp and the ability within the ranks. And he has high hopes for the season ahead.

"Last season was a very positive season for the club based on the fact the management team just came in and had to start from scratch to put the squad together.

"I think the fans enjoyed what happened at the club last year. Even the cup final there was a great buzz around the club. We have to push on now. Last year is gone. We have to build on that, try and improve and go one better.

"There is a hunger to do that. We've worked extremely hard in preseaosn and it's been a very collective squad. We've pushed each other on. Preseason is probably the hardest part of the year, getting yourself ready for that first game.

"The first one doesn't come any tighter than Dundalk away but it's something we've got to embrace and look forward to. We have to play them sometime so it's nothing to fear."