Derry City's style of play didn't suit me - claims Stephen Mallon

STEPHEN MALLON admits he was never interested in a return to Derry City Football Club as the team’s ‘style of play’ simply didn’t suit him.
Stephen Mallon pictured in action against Sligo Rovers at Brandywell.Stephen Mallon pictured in action against Sligo Rovers at Brandywell.
Stephen Mallon pictured in action against Sligo Rovers at Brandywell.

The Candy Stripes fell short of making a formal approach for the player who spent last season on loan at Brandywell, however, his switch to Bohemians on a permanent deal from Sheffield United will have come as a surprise to many at the club.

Mallon insists he’s grateful to Declan Devine and the Derry coaching staff for giving him an opportunity to kickstart his career in senior football but a return to the club was never on the cards after a season of frustration.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I know, through a conversation I had with my agent, that Decky (Devine) had said he would take me back in the morning,” explained Mallon.

“But there was never any actual formal offer and I never spoke with anyone. I think

Decky knew himself I wasn’t interested. It wasn’t anything to do with the club. It just didn’t suit me.

“The playing style and stuff like that. I enjoyed my time there and I’m grateful for the opportunity, they’re all really good people but the playing style just didn’t suit me,” he added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think they found it tough to get me on the ball. It’s massive for me to go and be somewhere where I will affect games and be on the ball a lot.

Stephen Mallon pictured signing for Bohemians this week from Sheffield United.Stephen Mallon pictured signing for Bohemians this week from Sheffield United.
Stephen Mallon pictured signing for Bohemians this week from Sheffield United.

“Just being able to go somewhere where I know they play good football and I can be a big part of it.”

The 21 year-old winger claims Bohs boss, Keith Long has given him a licence to express himself at Dalymount Park and Mallon reckons he will thrive under the Dubliner’s management.

“Keith Long was a big part of my decision,” he said. “He came across like he had real interest. For me, going to a club where someone really wants you is massive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Straight from the get-go you have his backing and players like myself thrive off confidence and the manager backing me and letting me go, be myself, get at players and show what I’ve got in the right areas.

“I don’t need a manager who is constantly going to be on at me about moving the ball or stuff like that. So with Keith showing the interest he did, it shows he backs me and knows the potential I’ve got. Now it’s just a case of going to Bohs and repaying him for that trust.”

Mallon, who switched his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland last summer, reckons Derry fans didn’t see the best of him due to injuries and Covid-19 disruptions.

“At Derry it wasn’t a case that Decky didn’t back me or restrict me,” he explains. “When I didn’t play I was just unfortunate with injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The first game back after lockdown I was probably at about 50 or 60 per cent. I was struggling with my hamstring and he didn’t have the players for me to say ‘I’m not 100 per cent’ because myself and Walter (Figueira) were the only two attackers in the team at the time.

“I had to play but I didn’t have a good performance. My hamstring didn’t get better and it went on game after game. It was just unlucky. Things didn’t go my way.

“I just wanted to go somewhere where, if I’m in form and doing well, I should play every week. That’s all I need, I need games.

“If I can come away from this season with 30 games or whatever, without Covid ruining it, then that’s all I need. I’m looking forward to it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After six and a half years with Sheffield United, the Belfast native still has hopes of returning to England and reckons a successful season at Bohemians will help his cause.

“When I spoke to Keith I told him the end goal for me is to play in England. I want to go as far as possible but for now my main focus is Bohs and doing well.

“I want to come to an environment where I’m going to get better and speaking to Keith that’s the kind of environment I’m going into.”

Mallon’s moved to Dublin full-time and his arrangement to use the facilities at Dalymount during the day and focus on his fitness before linking up with his new teammates at training in the evening is something he’s excited about.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was important to me to go to a team who were going to be challenging and the signings that Keith has made clearly shows we want to b e up there challenging.

“I’ll be looking forward to going back to the Brandywell because I got on with everyone at the club and will be looking forward to seeing all the lads again but, at the end of the day, it’s football and when we do go there it will be for three points and nothing else!”

And while he agrees it would've been nice to link up with his ex-Sheffield United teammate, David Parkhouse again, he believes he can create an exciting partnership with one-time City target Georgie Kelly in Phibsborough.

"I know he had keen talks with Derry last year and from what I've heard he's a striker who is good in the air and has good hold up play.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Players like that are massive for me. A guy like that could get me 10 or 15 assists a season, just off crosses and build-up play.

"It's harder for me to make runs in behind if the ball isn't sticking with the striker. So having a player like that for me is unreal as I can go and express myself. The main thing for me is goals and assists and he will certainly help."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.