Alan Reynolds leaves Derry City - 'The hardest decision I've ever made in my football career'

Alan Reynolds has said goodbye to Derry City, describing it as ‘the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my football career’.

Reynolds will return to his home town team of Waterford where he will join up with newly-appointed manager Keith Long. He is making the move for personal reasons, bringing a spell of 16 months in Derry to an end.

In a statement released today he said: “To the people of Derry – I’d like to thank you personally for your support since I arrived. I can’t thank you enough.

“Derry City is a special place and a very special club and leaving now has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my football career, but I hope you understand.

“It has been a pleasure working with an exceptional manager in Ruaidhri. Keep supporting him. To the special staff in place, you work so hard and you are brilliant people. Thank you.

“The club is most definitely in great hands and there are good times ahead for Derry City. Winning the FAI Cup is only the start. You deserve success. I wish you nothing but the best for the future.”

Ruaidhri Higgins paid his own tribute to his now former right-hand man after Friday night’s win at Shelbourne.

“I want to thank Alan on behalf of myself, the staff and the players. He’s made a fantastic contribution in his time at the club” said Ruaidhri.

“On a personal note he’s helped me to develop as a manager with his experience, and we enjoyed some special memories as a group together last year.”

“I know he has left here with a real heavy heart and it has been an emotional couple of days.”

“We all know how football works however, and sometimes people have personal circumstances that are outside of their control. There are just times that family life has to come first.”

“It goes without saying that Alan will always be welcome at the Ryan McBride Brandywell any time he wants, and we wish him every success going forward.”

Higgins has already suggested that he will take whatever time he needs to consider the right replacement.