'Proud' Patrick Ferry ready to repay Derry City after signing pro terms

Ferry is delighted that manager Declan Devine has shown faith in him and that trust from the City coaching staff has made the 18 year-old Donegal lad even more determined to make it as a professional footballer.

"I'm absolutely over the moon and I'm definitely ready for it," he said. "Any time I'm given the opportunity I'll be ready and hopefully I can repay the faith Decky has in me," said the striker.

"So if the opportunities come by I'll make sure I'm ready for it, of course I will.

"Since I signed it's been kind of surreal for myself and my family," he explained. "It's a big thing for my family that I'm finally a professional footballer because I've worked so hard to get this over the years and I will continue to work hard.

"But especially to sign for Derry City is a very big thing for us and my family are very proud and of course I'm happy to make them proud."

It's been a dream of the former Gweedore United player since the age of eight. He signed for Derry in June 2018 and he hasn't looked back. Now he can't wait to take his game onto the next level.

While the Covid-19 pandemic ended his season with Derry's Ulster Senior League and Academy side last year, he views the cessation of underage games as a 'blessing in disguise' as he was elevated to the first team set-up.

He had been flirting with the first team since August 2019 when he was named on the bench for the League Cup semi-final win against Waterford while still with the club's under-17s.

Last season he came off the bench on the hour mark to make his senior debut in the 2-0 home defeat to Sligo Rovers when the league resumed on July 31st.

His next appearance in the red and white candy stripes came in the penultimate league game of the season against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght when he replaced Walter Figueira for the final 10 minutes.

Reflecting back on those experiences, Ferry says it was 'an amazing feeling' to wear the shirt and he's hungry for more.

"I think for Declan to be giving me and the other young boys a chance to be in and around other pros is unbelievable and it really makes you want to be a professional footballer and especially at Derry City, even more so.

"It really drives you on to be the best you can be. Last year was a downer with the Reserves and the Academy season being cut short especially when we were going so well.

"Although it proved a blessing in disguise as I was able to be called into the first team.

"Now, I couldn't be happier to sign a deal at such a big club like Derry. To get an opportunity to even step on the pitch with the rest of the boys and play with that shirt is an amazing feeling, it really is.

"The faith Declan has in all of us, really drives you on to do your best for him and the rest of the backroom team. The belief is there from the manager and I can feel it every time I went into training with the first team last year. That’s all you want really, you want belief and faith in you."

Ronan Boyce recently signed his first professional terms with the club and Ferry believes they have similar attitudes and expects it will drive them both on to become better players.

"Hopefully with the preseason behind me and if opportunities come by during the season and Declan and Paddy trust me enough, I'll make sure I'm ready to take them.

"Ronan is a very good player and I know speaking to him he's ready for this as am I. I guarantee the both of us will be ready to take our chances when they come this year. Until then we will have our heads down and keep working hard."

With a trimmed down squad this season, those opportunities might come sooner rather than later for both players and Ferry can't wait to learn from fellow strikers David Parkhouse and James Akintunde on a daily basis.

"Playing and training alongside the likes of James and David is brilliant. I trained alongside David two years ago and learned a lot of stuff from him and I'll do the same with James as I did last year.

"So training and playing alongside these boys will really benefit my game, I know that."

Ferry is nicknamed 'Dixie' after the prolific 1970s Celtic striking legend John 'Dixie' Deans, a moniker shared with his father, Maurice, who used to play for his local club, Gweedore United and Glenea United in Donegal.

Should he live up to that comparison with the legendary nine-in-a-row Hoops hitman Derry City will be onto a winner but for now the youngster's main aim is to get as much gametime in the first team as possible this season.

"My personal goals are to get as many minutes on the pitch as I can and gain that valuable experience playing against better, bigger players. If the opportunities come by I'll be ready and let's hope it's a good season from all of us."

His family are supportive and delighted with his two year deal and Ferry hopes they will be permitted to attend games at some point in the season when he gets the chance to walk out at Brandywell Stadium again.

"When I made my debut last summer there were no supporters at the ground so I've never got that experience in that kind of atmosphere on the pitch.

"So hopefully by summer time or the end of the year if the fans are allowed back in and I get a few minutes then it will be a very big thing for me to experience that atmosphere finally. It would be nice, definitely."

City boss Devine insists Ferry 'fully deserved' his contract and paid tribute to the Academy coaches who have done a 'magnificent job' in helping develop the striker.

“Our Academy continues to do a magnificent job and this is a compliment to them and also to Patrick who has put his head down and worked so hard.

“We spoke with him and his parents last week and they are fantastic people. I’m looking for Patrick to take this opportunity to kick on now the way Jack Malone, Nathan Gartside and Ronan Boyce are doing.

“He can play anywhere across the front three and he has a very bright future if he continues to work hard.”

“Our supporters will see that we’re working to put down a solid base for the future of the club.”

“These young players are the lifeblood of Derry City and I’m looking forward to working with them and watching them progress at the club.”