Nathan Gartside ready to be Derry City's number one

The 22-year-old claims he’s ready to replace the departed Peter Cherrie despite spending a full season last year sitting on the bench as the Scot’s understudy.

Gartside, who joined the Candy Stripes in 2018 after being released by Watford, is heading into his third full season with Derry and admits it is time he made the step up to claim the No. 1 jersey.

“I have always said that although I haven’t played that many games, I’m ready,” insisted Gartside, “The fans are probably thinking he hasn’t really played the last couple of years, but I always train like I am playing anyway.

“The last couple of years have been frustrating as I have had little game time but Pete did well and kept me out. However I’m going into this new season as a fresh start and making sure I get my work done during the off season in preparation for a good pre-season.

“Pre-season is vital because if I’m given the nod to be the number one, I’m more than confident that I’m going to be ready. I know the league and if I’m going to compare myself now to when I played a few years ago, I’m more prepared now.

“When I came back from England I was still finding my feet. Any time I got in I feel I did well but I wasn’t ready to play a full season. Now I feel like my frame and body work, which I have been trying to build with the strength and conditioning work with Derry, I feel if I’m the number one now then I’ll be able to last the season. I feel I’m in a better place now.

“I’m more than confident that if I’m given the nod, I’m ready. I am taking nothing for granted though as I know everyone in the squad wants to play and will be eager to start and I’m no different.”

The former Northern Ireland U21 international reveals he has had a few conversions with boss Declan Devine about his future but insists he won’t be banging on the manager’s door during pre-season.

“There have been conversations about certain things that have gone on before but that will stay in-house,” he confirmed.

“I’ll not be knocking on any doors or having any conversations as I’m always ready to play. Over the last couple of years me and Pete had a good relationship, he was excellent for us, but for my own development and to get the best out of me, I need to playing this year.

“If Declan does bring someone else in, I’ll respect his decision and I’m sure he’ll want to play, it’s the same with young Jack (Lemoignan). If Jack is called up and it’s just us two, then he’ll want to be play but there’s only one spot so whoever gets it is going to have to work hard for it and I know that.

“Of course I want to be Derry’s No. 1, I didn’t sign my extension two seasons ago to just sit and not play. For my development I feel like I need to be playing, but I’ll always respect the manager’s decision and will always stay professional.

“Last season, had Derry said that they wanted me to go out on loan, I would have gone to get games but at the minute no conversion has been had, so as far as I’m concerned I’m pushing on for the first day of pre-season to be No. 1 which is what I have done the last few seasons.”

After last season’s disappointing campaign, the ex-Institute keeper says the Brandywell men know they have to improve and he’s aiming for a European place.

“Obviously last season we were all disappointed with how things ended. We weren’t anywhere near the level we expected to be,” he confirmed.

“So a lot of boys want to prove people wrong this season, to get back on track and get back into European contention because we are one of the biggest clubs in the country.

“We all know that we under-achieved last year, it’s not a case of anyone here believing we did well. Certain players have left, certain players have come in and certain players stayed, that’s football, it is a cut-throat business and you always have to do well.

“All the boys who were here last year, we all have a big point to prove because last year wasn’t good enough by our standards and I know the management staff, the club and the fans will all be asking for more. We have to give the fans something to cheer about this year and push back up the table again.”

With still no official word if, and when, supporters will be allowed back into grounds, Gartside says he can’t wait to see the Brandywell packed out once more but even without that famous home backing during the 2021 campaign, he and his team-mates must do better.

“Fans back at the Brandywell will be great but with everything that’s going on at the minute, everyone’s health is more important than football,” insisted Gartside.

“It will be a great day when the Brandywell is full again but regardless we still need to be professional about our jobs, get the work done in the off season with the strengthening and conditioning work-outs and then in pre-season we hit the ground running.

“While no one is sure what’s actually going on, we just have to make sure that we do our job and when the fans do come back into the Brandywell we give them something to shout out.

“We know when the Brandywell is full there’s no better place in the league but until that moment when fans get back into grounds, we still have to give the fans something to cheer about and make sure that we are high up the table when they do eventually come back to support us.”