Former Derry City boss Declan Devine has insisted that the people of Derry need to "remember where you're coming from" in order to move on to where they want to be, whilst also giving his backing to interim bosses Peter Hutton and Marty McCann.

Devine guided City to the FAI Cup title in 2012 and the Derry man believes that what the club have achieved in the aftermath of what were turbulent recent times of relegation and financial enquiries is a credit to the work of those who really care about the Candy Stripes.

The former Brandywell goalkeeper took to his Facebook page this morning to reassert the notion that "Derry needs a professional football club" but that, with Roddy Collins leaving on Sunday night, the people of the city must now get behind Peter Hutton and Martin McCann to propel the club to where everyone wants it to be.

Read his full statement below:

"I write this purely as a Fan and think all the proper Derry City supporters should remember how far the club has come since being on the brink of disaster and going out of business.

The directors/supporters/volunteers /staff/sponsors of the club are all responsible for having a senior team playing at the highest standard of Irish Football in our city.

For me it’s vital the people of Derry get behind our club and work as one to make sure this never ever happens again and remember what value and joy the club brings when successful to not only the next generations of young players in our community but also to each and every person that’s ever cared about this city.

A lot of influential business people came together less than 4 years ago to make sure the club had any future and it’s vital we don’t lose these people to the future of the club. Business men in our city invest time and money into making it run as a professional club and deserve respect for doing so in the current climate. There is not many people able or willing to give money to pay bills and sponsor a professional football team in Ireland. These people I feel deserve credit in making sure our City had senior football at all and at the same time not spending to just chase the dream. We are not Manchester City or United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal but with a population of only 120,000 we are Derry City…. 

It’s less than 40 months since the never to be forgotten night in Monaghan in 2010 when Stephen assembled an all-local team of players to drag the club out of the strongest ever league of Ireland 1st Division after relegation,
Since then the club finished 3rd Europa qualification (uefa embargo) having challenged right to last few games under Stephen despite losing James McClean
Setanta cup final losing on penalties
FAI Cup winners at Aviva and Europa qualification
Great European Tie v Trabsonspor (who got to quarter final)
4th finish having challenged early and fading bringing Europa qualification (whilst being countries top scorers)
Moving local players like James McClean, Stephen McLaughlin, Danny Lafferty, David McDaid to English premier/lge clubs.

It’s my belief you must remember where you’re coming from in order to get to where you strive too. 

I feel if we're ever to have nights like winning the treble in 89 or title in 97 or the heart-breaking but amazing 2005 season (runners up to cork on last day of season) and the 2006 (UEFA cup run, 2 cups and losing league on last day of the season to shels on goal difference) we need people to get behind the club and support it and enjoy the highs and encourage during the lows of the rollercoaster of professional Irish football.
If we ever want to see local players in the future scoring goals like Hargy against Gothenburg, Deerso against Gretna, Pizza in Lansdowne, Rory in the Aviva or Liam Coyle, Paddy McCourt and Farrenso scoring against everyone, then we need to get behind the club instead of bad mouthing and slagging it. If we had everyone with a view on Derry City actually attend the games then I’ve no doubt we would quickly return to the summit of Irish football.

Derry needs a professional football club and we must get behind the club at all times. I wish Peter and Marty best wishes this week and think we all need to get to next home game and show people that we really are a footballing City."

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