Derry City and SEEDS take supporters ‘Down Memory Lane’ at Brandywell

The event brought together photographs, archive video, old match shirts, programmes, newspaper reports and other memorabilia from across the decades, giving those attending the chance to look back, share memories and enjoy some of the moments that have shaped Derry City.

The morning session was held especially for members of Health for Life’s SEEDS project, which works with people living with dementia and their families across the city, before the event opened to the wider public in the afternoon. A number of familiar faces from Derry City’s past and present also joined the day, including club legends Terry Harkin and Eddie Mahon, alongside manager Mark Connolly and others connected to the club through the years.

George McGowan, Project Director at Health for Life, said the day showed how powerful familiar memories and experiences can be for people living with dementia. He said: “Football is part of the lives of so many people in this city and can hold very strong memories for them.

“Today we saw people recognising old shirts, players and photographs, talking about matches they remembered and who they watched them with, and sharing memories from different times in their own lives.

“For people living with dementia, that sense of connection can be really important. Something familiar can start a conversation and bring back memories that might not have been talked about for a long time. That was what we wanted from ‘Down Memory Lane’ and it was lovely to see so many people enjoying the day together.

“We’re delighted to have worked with Lawrence Moore and the team at Derry City FC to create such a positive experience for people living with dementia and their families. We look forward to working together in the future."

Derry City manager Mark Connolly said the event was another example of the important place the club holds within the wider community.

“Derry City is at the heart of this community and days like today show just how much the club means to people beyond what happens on the pitch,” explained the Derry City Interim Manager, “It was amazing to see people coming together, talking about old matches and players and sharing their own memories of the club through the decades.

“To have people like Terry Harkin, Eddie Mahon and so many others in the room was really powerful. These are people who are part of the history of Derry City and who mean so much to generations of supporters. The club has always been about people. Football brings people together, and to see it being used in this way to create conversations, connections and memories was very special.

“A huge amount of work went into making the day happen and it was brilliant to see the stadium being used to bring people together in this way.”

The exhibition included material charting Derry City’s history across the decades, including its move from Irish League football to the League of Ireland, alongside kits, archive footage and hundreds of photographs. Guest speakers also shared memories and experiences from different periods of the club’s history, giving those attending the opportunity to hear first-hand from some of the key people who have played a part in the Derry City story.

The ‘Down Memory Lane’ event was organised by Derry City Football Club in partnership with Health for Life’s SEEDS project.