Declan Devine draws up Derry City wish-list

Declan Devine has a list of targets he wants to bring to Derry City next season.

The City boss has shown a host of players the exit door with Peter Cherrie, Ibrahim Meite, Ally Gilchrist, Stephen Mallon, Walter Figueira and Conor Clifford announcing their departures in recent days for various reasons. And there’s likely more to follow.

Goalkeeper, Cherrie was under the impression Derry were taking a local approach to their transfer business but Devine claims that won’t be possible as he looks to rebuild his team for 2021.

He’s on the lookout for players who ‘epitomise the values of the club’ and is searching for ‘a happy medium’ when it comes to signing local players and those based further afield.

“Everyone is telling me we’re going local,” he said. “There are not 20 local players out there.

“We’ve got to learn lessons from where we were, however, we literally can’t say we’re going with a Derry based team, we can’t do that.

“We have to strive to make the club better, make the club more appealing to players.

“This is a massive football club and that’s something that needs no explanation because when the Brandywell is full there’s nowhere like it.

“It’s been a tough year on and off the pitch. This is a very historic football club that has a wonderful history and we have to make sure we bring more success.

“There are a lot of good players still at this football club and let’s not underestimate that.

“You have to have a local feel, yes, absolutely but some of the best players that have been at this football club were from outside of Derry. You have to understand it’s a happy medium we need.

“There are players from Derry playing at other clubs. Would we like some of the Derry based players back? Of course we would.”

Devine claims fans shouldn’t be surprised with the sudden players exodus from the club considering the frustrations of the 2020 season.

“For those on the outside looking in, I don’t think there should be any surprise that there’s been movement,” added Devine.

“For one reason or another this season hasn’t been a successful year for us. We have to understand there’s a lot of work being done behind the scenes in terms of the board, the staff, the players right now.

“At this moment in time we’re working quietly in terms of what way we’re going. My goal now is to put a team on the pitch next season that the fans can relate to.

“I think I did that quite well two years ago and that’s my goal now, to put a product on the pitch that epitomises the values of this football club.”

Devine has already started putting together his 2021 panel with St Johnson native, Ciaran Coll, signing for another two years.

The left back joins Nathan Gartside, Eoin Toal, Ciaron Harkin, Conor McCormack, Jack Malone and Joe Thomson in the squad but Devine admits he’s got plenty of work to do ahead of next season.

And while former City favourite, Danny Lafferty, Michael Duffy and Georgie Kelly are considered among the top targets, the Creggan man knows it won’t be easy convincing them to return to the club.

“It’s been a hectic few days and we’re still going through all the options that we have. There will be comings and goings over the next couple of weeks and months. We’ll see where we’re at over the next couple of days.

“A few players have left this week. Obviously Peter (Cherrie) leaving was a tough one for us. Peter has been very good but we have a local lad, an U21 international coming through.

“There’s certain aspects of the club we’re very happy with. There’s certain aspects of the club we have to strive to get better.

“It’s common knowledge that Danny Lafferty’s contract is up at Shamrock Rovers,” he continued. “We’ve signed Ciaran Coll on a two year deal. Could I see the two of them playing in the one team? I could, yes.

“I think Danny will have options. I know Georgie has been linked with Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers. All these players will have huge offers.

“At this moment in time we’re just drawing up a wish list of what we want and what we need. It’s then about actively going to and finding these players.

“At the minute it’s just targets and finding out about people and players and about who wants to play for Derry. That’s the bottom line.

“I have to strengthen the squad but I’m only going to bring in players who will make it better.”