New dawn for youth football in Lisahally as Rovers seek D&D place
Think Lisahally and you think Lisahally Port; Derry's historical deep-water port critical for the north's economic imports. It handles approximately two million tonnes of cargo annually, imports valued at an estimated £1 billion. Football works slightly different at Lisahally.
Lisahally's neighbours, the thriving Strathfoyle community, was historically a post-war housing estate, built in stages since the late 1950s to support that local industry. The census of 2021 had the population of Strathfoyle at 2,605, a figure which rises to almost 5,000 when you take in Lisahally and the wider Enagh area.
Yet for decades football - or specifically youth football - has been an export business in the village which lies around five miles outside the city's urban centre. The area's young footballers have been sporting nomads, sprinkled across various clubs in the city if they were lucky enough to have the time and transport means needed to facilitate their aspirations. But that could be about to change.
Later this month, the Derry & District Youth F.A. will vote on whether to accept an application for membership from the newly formed Lisahally Rovers whose 2014 squad hope to become the trailblazers for a club David Ogilby and Noel O'Donnell hope will provide a home for future generations of young players from the area.
"Myself and Noel spent several enjoyable years coaching at Top of the Hill Celtic but as lifelong Strathfoyle natives we’ve always had the ambition to see a team established in our own community," explains David who has more than 500 Irish League appearances under his belt following memorable stints with both Coleraine and Institute. He's also currently a referee in youth football in the north west.
"Despite the idea being discussed locally for many years, Strathfoyle has never had a youth football club of its own - until now.
"I still remember when I was at primary school I had to go to Moorefield as it was at the time - Foyle Harps now - and I was lucky enough in that I was good enough to go at that age. There were plenty of other boys in my class who were good enough too but maybe their parents didn't have a car, or they couldn't get a lift.
"What we are trying to do is give the children of this area, this village, a home base to play for and to represent. We are out on our own here, some four or five miles from our nearest club. We've talked to the others clubs to assure them we are setting this club up for the right reasons because our goal is for the village of Strathfoyle to have a long term youth football team. It's as simple as that.
"We believe there's the space and demand for it. We are not trying to step on anyone's toes with this, we're just trying to give the local kids a chance to play at their own club which represents their own area."
David and Noel, a former youth team player with Peterborough United and owner of the 'Football Fun Factory', are far from a two man band in their crusade to provide a home for the young footballers of Strathfoyle.
Lisahally Rovers already has a newly elected committee made up of 10 members from throughout the local community and backing from local businesses such as Ascot Signs, Maydown and AMF MEP Mechanical. The committee also includes representatives from both men's teams in the area, Lisahally FC and Enagh Rovers FC, with the new club name chosen as a nod to the long-standing historic ties both teams have had with the area across more than 50 years.
"It's not just the two of us, the community is fully behind the club," adds David, "Lisahally had a team in the Foyle Cup as a one-off a few years back and the crowd at the local pitch when they were playing was unbelievable. People like to come out and support their own team; we see that in almost every other community in the town and we've had nothing but good will from the Strathfoyle community.
"It is now about trying to get the club off the ground. The Lisahally men's team is going over 50 years, Enagh Rovers are going a long time as well so the potential is there to provide a football pathway for young players of all abilities."
Former 'Stute favourite Ogilby said he understood concerns existing D&D clubs may have about a new club being established but stressed Lisahally Rovers was about providing access to football for those who may otherwise miss out.
"One of the driving forces behind establishing Lisahally Rovers is accessibility," he adds, "While many local children currently play for clubs at all age groups across the city, our vision is to give the young people of Strathfoyle the chance to represent their own village and community.
"Strathfoyle is home to many families who face social disadvantage and do not have access to a car. We know there are children who would love to play football but whose parents simply cannot transport them to clubs outside the area. By creating a local team, we remove that barrier and open the door to participation.
"We want to give local children the chance to develop their skills, build friendships, and experience the many benefits of team sport. The club is built on inclusion, welcoming children from all backgrounds and beliefs so that everyone can participate and feel part of a team.
"We are starting with a 2014 team as both our sons play at that age grade. In an ideal scenario you would start with the Under 7 age category and then bring them up through but we are not in an ideal scenario. As I say, it has been talked about for a long time without anyone really taking the plunge.
"But we’re proud to begin with a single team, and with the foundations laid we’re hopeful that more age groups will follow in the coming years, particularly for the youngest children in Strathfoyle.
"We want to see the young boys and girls of Strathfoyle playing football regularly in Strathfoyle without having to leave their own area to get a game. That's all we want, that's our goal."
Exporting footballers could soon be a thing of the past in Lisahally.