Former Derry City striker Danny Mullen reflects on bittersweet Brandywell finale

The 30 year-old striker missed the players' end of season trip to Tenerife as his youngest daughter suddenly took sick with an infection while he was playing his last game for the club at Turner's Cross on the final day of the 2025 campaign. Thankfully one-year-old Freya has fully recovered after minor surgery, however, the Mullen household were then struck down with an ill-timed bug, meaning a planned face-to-face meeting with Derry boss Tiernan Lynch had to be rescheduled.

Mullen knew what that conversation would entail as he was expected to be told he was no longer in Lynch's plans and so it transpired in a phone call where the Derry boss explained his reasoning.

It signalled the end of his memorable stint at Brandywell where the former Dundee man 'felt like home'. He's played in the SPL for Dundee and St. Mirren and in the Championship with Partick Thistle and Livingston during his time in Scotland but his spell at Derry lasted as long as any apart from his five seasons spent at Almondvale Stadium.

"It's not been the greatest end to the season that's for sure," reflected Mullen. "Thankfully my youngest daughter is back to her wee self now. An hour after her surgery, she was up running about the wards so she took it well to be fair and she's totally fine now.

"She was still in the hospital and he([Lynch) was texting me to meet him. He said he could just give me a phone call and I took the call - I think it was a Tuesday and he just did it that way. I was just getting over that sickness bug at that time as well so I didn't get a chance to do it face-to-face.

"He just basically said, 'we know your ability' and stuff like that but it's just one of those things. This is what happens in football. I told him I kind of saw it coming. He did tell me he wanted me here earlier this year but then the longer it went on, I knew what was coming. But it's just one of those things," he lamented.

Mullen says he regrets not having a proper send-off with his teammates in Spain but he's since received plenty of messages of thanks and support.

"I've had a few messages from people inside the club and obviously the boys that were there I got messages from them. I missed out on Tenerife so I didn't get to say a goodbye but they did message me and it was nice to get that final cheerio and nice messages because they appreciated the hard work and effort we put on the pitch."

He certainly leaves with his head held high after contributing with 20 goals in all competitions during his time at the Brandywell club. He netted a credible seven goals from 27 appearances in the league this term, largely from the bench.

Mullen will be remembered for some important goals during his spell at the club including the equaliser against Drogheda last September which kept Derry's European hopes alive. The hard-working front man also scored the winner against St. Pat's at Brandywell this season, twice against Sligo Rovers and in the important 3-2 win against Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park. His dramatic late winner at Dalymount Park last year is another stand-out moment.

The 2023 Uefa Conference League run and in particular the six goal thriller against KuPs in Finland, and coming so close to the play-offs when losing on penalties to Tobol in the following round, are among some of his best memories in a Derry shirt.

"I did score big goals at big times and big moments, especially last year where we were needing a goal and they were quite late goals as well. I'd like to think I played a good part since I've been at this club to help it push forward. There've been a lot of fond memories and I will be keeping an eye on how they're doing."

His youngest daughter was born in the city and he revealed he'll always have a soft spot for the club.

"Since I've been here it's been brilliant. Everybody about the city and the club have been great with me and I've really enjoyed my time here.

"I've been welcomed and made to feel like this was my home. I came over with my kids and they're settled in school here so it's a big part of their lives coming over here and setting up. You can't go anywhere around the town without somebody noticing you but everybody about the place is really nice and were really welcoming when I first went over. Still to this day I'm going out and people are wishing you all the best and thanking you, so it's a really good place to come and settle down which I have done.

"I always gave it my all, even when I've had a few knocks or whatever and towards the end of the season when I kind of knew I wouldn't be staying. I still put myself out there and it comes down to you as a person, how you react. Maybe others would down tools but that's down to the person and the changing room we had - we all fought for each other and had a good run at the end. It was a good changing room and I'm sure the other boys would've done the same thing."

Not being a part of next year's Europa League campaign with Derry is admittedly a tough pill to swallow for the Scotsman but he's hoping his former teammates can go on an extended run in the competition next year and he'll be watching with interest knowing he played his part in getting them there.

"I knew before Rovers were playing in the final Derry were in Europe obviously. That was our aim at the start of the season, to go and win the league and get the club back in Europe. The season (league title) was done but the place in Europe wasn't and I was delighted to help get the club back into Europe and there was the bigger prize of getting into the Europa League as well. I'll be looking on and wishing the boys well and hopefully they can put a European run together.

"That was part of the reason I came over here because I thought the club could get into Europe and go on a run so hopefully they do that. When we did it we were away to Kazakhstan and the Faroe Islands and it does stick in your memories; they were good times.

"It went to penalties against Tobol. It was a good run but unfortunately we didn't make that final step. I wish the boys all the best and hopefully they can go and do it next year because those nights will live in your memory for a long time. A lot of the fans here haven't seen a good European run in a long time as well so I'm sure they will all be excited and booked to go wherever it may be."

Mullen can't officially sign for a club until January but he's had plenty of interest from clubs in Ireland and back home in Scotland. Reuniting with his former Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins at Coleraine is off the table but he's been linked with Glentoran and there's been contact from at least one League of Ireland outfit.

He's spending Christmas at his home in Derry and will weigh up his options before making his next move.

"Obviously I saw it coming (not getting a new deal with Derry) so I was kind of on the ball and there was a bit of interest. I was kind of a step ahead of it but there's still time from now until I'm allowed to sign for somebody in January. The way it was done and the way it was left so late is not ideal but that's football, it happens from time to time.

"To be honest there's a bit of interest in the League of Ireland and Irish League over here. Back home as well there's a few clubs interested as well. So it's about getting the ball rolling and getting offers on the table; taking it from there and seeing what is best financially and what's easiest if we need to take the kids out of school and head back home and get them settled into school there.

"So there's a lot of things I need to think about but I can't sign anywhere until January really so there's still a bit of time to do a bit of thinking and get some more offers on the table and sit down with my family and have a real discussion to see what's best for us and what works for us.

"What's for me won't go past me but you never know where I may end up. I don't know myself just now so it's hard to say where I'm going to be but wherever it may be I'll obviously put everything into that. I've not really stopped. I've kept myself ticking over to make sure I'm right to go wherever I need to go."