Diehard Derry City fan Marty Gormley raffling treasured jersey for a great cause

Marty Gormley, a teacher at Loughshore Educational Resource Centre near Belfast, is offering comrades of the ‘Red and White Army’ the chance to win a very collectible jersey from the 2005 season.

The shirt dates from Stephen Kenny’s memorable first full season in charge of Derry when the ‘Candystripes’ pushed Cork City all the way to the final league fixture in their battle to be crowned league champions.

It’s signed by members of the side which beat UCD in the League Cup final that year, not least the legendary and much-missed late Mark Farren, Derry’s all-time top goal-scorer.

Marty, who teaches children with behavioural disorders who have been removed from mainstream education, has decided to raffle this prized possession for a good cause.

“The draw is for a family in need whose child goes to our school,” said the big-hearted Derry man.

Marty said he is running a limited edition raffle of 100 tickets priced at £10 a ticket.

“It’s the jersey from the 2005 season and is signed by most of the players from the League Cup final versus UCD, including Mark Farren.

“They can be purchased through me via PayPal or in person on the night of the first home league match against Finn Harps. That’s if there’s any left!” he said.

The jersey is a memento of Derry’s sixth League Cup victory in a season in which the ‘Candystripes’ came within one game of completing the League and League Cup double. If you are interested in buying a ticket and helping Loughshore in its mission to ‘unlock’ the hidden potential of its pupils contact Marty via: Martin Gormley, c/o Loughshore Education Centre, 889 Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT 36 7DH; Telephone: 02890773062; Mobile: 07970455950; Email: [email protected]; Paypal: [email protected]