Derry City raising the bar with Celtic Park Fan Zone and affordable ticket pricing

​Introducing a Fan Zone at Find Insurance Celtic Park for the historic League of Ireland clash between Derry and Shamrock Rovers gives the Brandywell club a unique opportunity to showcase its potential to neutrals, connect with the community, generate a buzz, and of course earn additional revenue.

It also presents a chance to offer flexible ticket pricing - the cheapest in the league at £10 for the Bluebell Terrace end of the ground - and family ticket packages for what's expected to be an unmissable occasion.

The support of the next generation cannot be taken for granted, and it's hoped offering children's tickets at £5 and family tickets (two adults and two children) at £25 will encourage younger supporters and families to attend.

The sunshine and the visit of the league leaders also generate interest, but Derry City has certainly made the most of having the successful Simpson family on its Board of Directors given how they've transformed numerous local establishments such as the Brunswick Moviebowl and Foyleside Shopping Centre in recent years.

Indeed, the Simpson family has a strong track record of reviving businesses in the leisure, entertainment and hospitality sectors and they've been actively looking for ways to invest time and resources to add value to matchday experiences for Derry fans.

"It's been a huge effort to be honest," explained Simpson.

“Obviously a few months ago when we knew this was definitely happening in January that we were moving here everybody came together to get a plan for how we would make it as presentable as possible for a League of Ireland game, how we would bring a new fan experience to it and encourage new people to come.

“A lot of effort has gone into the work off the field and we're really hoping for a big crowd on Friday night."

Modern football fans, especially families, are looking for more than just 90 minutes of entertainment and the new Fan Zone, which features a beer truck selling 'pints and pies', face-painting, a merchandise shop and live music, is hoped to make the first soccer game in Celtic Park for over 80 years a memorable one.

Derry's Commercial Manager Robert Martin optimistically estimated they could attract between 7,000 and 8,000 people to the 12,500 capacity stadium. There’s already 6,000 sold with 24 hours remaining.

Regardless of attendance, Mr Simpson just hopes they go away having enjoyed the occasion.

"That might be a big ask [8,000 fans] but you have the weather on your side, good pricing, family tickets, making it affordable. We have a Fans Zone with face painters, food and drink, live music, a DJ so we're really trying to make it an occasion.

"The match is one part of it but hopefully people leave saying, "We've had a great time," and hopefully that's what happens."

Spacing issues and red-tape has limited Derry City at Brandywell Stadium but Celtic Park has given the club a chance to trial certain ideas that fits into its broader strategy of building a community around the club and developing that matchday atmosphere.

"It's a tight site at Brandywell," explained Simpson. "The luxury of Celtic Park is that it has more capacity to offer the discounted tickets. You basically have two carparks. We're turning one of those into a Fan Zone which we couldn't do down below [at Brandywell]. "Football is an entertainment industry and it's what more and more people want. We're trying to give a snippet of that on Friday night and for the remaining four games here.

"Whatever we can do down below when we're back, we'll hope to continue. That's what we're trying to achieve here."

Given his success in the entertainment and hospitality industry, coupled with his long-time association with Derry City FC, Simpson understands what the modern supporter and families look for from a matchday - beyond the product on the pitch. "I know what people want to a degree anyway. People talk about a matchday experience and all of these things come into it. There's more that can be done.

"It's my biggest passion - making sure people enjoy themselves and this is no different.

"This is an entertainment industry and hopefully people from all walks of life can come here and have a great day out. It's set up perfectly for it on Friday night - two top teams going against each other, the weather is going to be good and it will be a real family atmosphere." People will be attracted by the novelty and historic nature of having a soccer team play at the home of Derry GAA. The Derry Board hopes to win over a few of those new faces on the night and encourage repeat attendances. "We're going to hopefully attract people from further afield; from Donegal, Co. Derry - all parts.

"You get one chance to get them here and hopefully they really enjoy and come back and buy merchandise and watching the match inspires them to come back.

"We had a great result last Friday against Shelbourne and it would be great to build on that now and push forward into the Brandywell. So it's a big month ahead!"