Derry invite Linfield to bridge gap

IRISH League champions Linfield will bridge a 34-year gap when David Jaffrey’s team travel to the Brandywell at the end of the season for a friendly with Derry City.

The famous Belfast Blues have accepted an invitation from Derry chaiman Jim Roddy to play home and away games at the Brandywell and Windsor Park.

It will be an historic occasion when Linfield step onto the Brandywell pitch. The last time the sides met at the venue was in 1970 in an Irish League fixture.

Because of the troubles Derry were later forced to play home games at Coleraine's Showgrounds before bowing out of Irish League football in 1972. They were admitted to the League of Ireland in 1985.

"This invitation to Linfield is long overdue. We feel that that in these times of peace and a return to normality, the time is now right for the Blues to return to the Brandywell and it is our hope that the games can be played in November," said Roddy.

"Linfield will receive a genuine welcome from our supporters.

"Football can show the way forward to the rest of the community. Our club had a similar warm welcome when we played Linfield in a testimonial game for John Easton at Windsor Park six years ago," he said.

"We will reciprocate that welcome when Linfield arrive at the Brandywell. Everone is looking forward to the North-South Setanta Cup in April.

"Sadly Derry won't qualify for that competition but these proposed games with Linfield will be a bridge-building exercise and will be welcomed by all the real football fans," said Roddy.

Linfield chairman David Crawford said his club were "delighted" at the proposal of playing in the Brandywell again.

"There has always been a great rivalry between the two clubs and we were very happy to receive the invitation from Jim Roddy. Now the two clubs will sit down together and sort out all the details."