'Enjoy those beautiful pitches in heaven' - City players pay tributes to their late captain

RYAN McBride's Derry City teammates have paid their respects and left heartfelt messages to their club 'legend' and leader.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Mar 2017, 09:28 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:11 BST
Floral and scarf tributes laid at the Brandywell in memory of Derry City club captain Ryan McBride.Floral and scarf tributes laid at the Brandywell in memory of Derry City club captain Ryan McBride.
Floral and scarf tributes laid at the Brandywell in memory of Derry City club captain Ryan McBride.

Members of the Candy Stripes' first team helped carry him home from the funeral house in William Street to Ryan's home at Bluebell Hill Gardens last night as hundreds of mourners lined the streets and applauded the hugely respected City skipper on the short journey.

And sending messages of condolences to their late captain's family and friends, the players took to social media to offer their thoughts at such a difficult time for everyone at the club.

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Striker, Ronan Curtis paid a touching tribute when laying a floral tribute at the gates of the Brandywell Stadium with the heartbreaking words; “I’m going to miss your encouragement but I know you’ll be looking down on us and keeping us right.

“Enjoy those beautiful pitches up there and think of us while having a kick around. We will all try and do you proud. Devastated, so sleep tight big man till we meet again.”

And teammate, Aaron McEneff also left a poignant post on his Facebook account.

“As a team mate and as a good friend, words can’t describe the feeling of losing you! A warrior on the pitch and what a guy off it! From watching him play as a young boy, playing with him and getting to know him as a person, only one word to describe this man is LEGEND. We’ll stay strong and pull together for you big man!

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"Rest in peace Captain, you’re gone but you’ll never be forgotten.”️

Derry City striker, Ronan Curtis leaves a poignant message to his late captain, Ryan McBride on behalf of his family and teammates.Derry City striker, Ronan Curtis leaves a poignant message to his late captain, Ryan McBride on behalf of his family and teammates.
Derry City striker, Ronan Curtis leaves a poignant message to his late captain, Ryan McBride on behalf of his family and teammates.

Midfielder, Josh Daniels, who also lined out alongside Ryan last Saturday against Drogheda - his last match in a Derry shirt - said the skipper had 'left a mark with us all'.

He tweeted: "Together on the pitch and we will be together through this hard time and further. You've left a mark with us all in such a short time."

Striker, Mikhail Kennedy added: "A leader, a captain and an absolute gentleman! RIP Ryan McBride can't believe it a city with so many tragedies."

Related topics:Derry CityCandy StripesRonan Curtis