Charlie from the Stands: People will come and go, but Derry City will remain!

Well, what is there to say about the FAI Cup Final, that hasn’t already been said?

Waking up on Monday morning was tough, having experienced that horrible rollercoaster of emotions from hope and assurance, to despair and disappointment.

The only saving grace I could find was watching poor David Coote get a few things off his chest about Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool after what looked like a night of cocktails. We’ll all have seen that by now…

Thankfully, we weren't talking about the referee after Sunday's game, and I am not going to get into talking about the manager or players; I said my piece on Sunday.

To summarize the game, it was glaringly obvious how organized Drogheda were - their preparation was plain to see. Their flags for their fans, banners honoring previous FAI Cup winners and their gameplan – one which would ultimately see them crowned FAI Cup Champions and cap off what has been a season of two halves for Kevin Doherty’s troops. Everything they had prepared worked to a tee.

The first-half was fairly even, with both creating chances, but it all changed when Patrick McEleney went off injured and was replaced by Will Patching. Patrick created the best chance of the game for Sadio Diallo and was starting to really influence the game, so when he went off, it was like taking the heart out of Derry City. And the rest was history. Drogheda nullified Derry after Patrick’s departure, and Derry had no answers.

Despite the disappointment on the pitch, the one huge positive from standing in Aviva on Sunday and looking up at the crowd was the amount of Derry City Fans that travelled to shout on the team. The 38,183 announced on the day seemed a little low considering most seats, bar the corners, seemed filled.

A lot will be made of the defeat and the fourth place finish, but as I put in one of my first articles - football is more than what you see on the pitch.

Every club in the Premier Division has seen an increase in all the key metrics of a football club: revenue (matchday, merchandise, player fees), fans, online engagement, commercial interest, and, most importantly, crowds. To give you context, the FAI announced that it was the first year in which one million fans walked through the turnstiles to watch a League of Ireland men’s and women’s matches, an incredible feat and one to build a foundation on.

In terms of success, the plaudits will go to the players and management staff of Shelbourne and Drogheda United for their victories, but as we know when things go well and vice versa when they go wrong, in both instances, the bigger picture should always be considered.

The volunteers and off-field staff who give up their time and energy to create an environment for the management staff and players, deserve to be credited at every club. And when you look at these environments, more so at Shelbourne and Drogheda, it should bring Derry City fans hope, and perspective – remembering that just two years ago, Shelbourne were picked apart in the FAI Cup Final. And yet, this season, they have emerged from that disappointment and claimed a league title which was wholly deserved. There are lessons to be learned everywhere.

All the little gestures and actions are worth their weight in gold. But they must be supported with a structure that pours petrol on what is great about our club - helping and developing people in the North West. People will come and go, but what remains is Derry City Football Club and the fans. The North West of Ireland leans so heavily on Education and Sport as a catalyst to better things and Derry City FC should always be at the forefront of the sport element.

As a player, I can honestly say I always felt supported by the fans, so reading recent comments about players getting personal abuse is disappointing. I understand emotion, and the fact that we all as a collective want Derry City to win, but when it affects a players family, it has gone too far.

As fans, I honestly do not think you know how important your opinion/support is to the club and players. We as players talk about how great the fans are and have always been through thick and thin. There is no doubt that the league title was the objective of the club this year, and we fell short, not getting into Europe and losing the FAI Cup Final added salt to an already open wound, but we will be back and we must stick together to ensure Derry City challenges again soon.

Two things that Derry City deserved credit for on Sunday were the honoring of Terry Harkin, Eamonn McLaughlin, Eddie Mahon, and Tony O’Doherty during the half time interval.

Without the actions of these four men, Derry City would be in a whole different place. Another incredible partnership was also highlighted, as Derry City and Foyle Down Syndrome support, Oxford Bulls, Ardnashee, and sponsor Advanced Community care, picked up 15 children and 10 parents on Sunday morning and took them to the Aviva to cheer the Candystripes on. A special day for children that they will never forget, so kudos to all involved.

Lessons in defeat

When you win, you win, and when you lose you learn. There will be a huge amount of lessons learnt by Derry City players and staff from this season. I just hope they take the positives and action on the negatives to reduce the risk of these negatives happening again. This season will ultimately be bookmarked as one of promise, opportunity and big hopes, but eventually, disappointment, missed opportunities and frustration.

I will finish with this statement: Derry City Football Club will win the Premier Division in the near future. I am absolutely certain of that.

But for that to happen, things have to change. The structure in place right now allows Derry City to win the League once every 20 years or so: like when a manager like Jim McLaughlin is in charge; or when a generation like the 1997 team, comes along.

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But Derry City cannot expect to become a force like Shamrock Rovers have become over the past few years, winning multiple League titles, without a more strategic long-term plan, one that needs to have focus on youth development and the community. Shelbourne won the league on a six-year plan, one built around both youth development and community, so why can’t we?

I want to personally thank The Derry News' Sports Editor, Gary Ferry, for allowing me to write this column for so long. It's been enjoyable and has brought me closer to the domestic game and the League of Ireland, at one of the most exciting times there has been in a long time.

Charlie, signing off.