Derry City Football Club is hosting a special community event at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium this month. The club has partnered with Health for Life's SEEDS project to present a 'Down Memory Lane' day on Thursday, September 17.
What is the Down Memory Lane event?
The event is designed to connect with supporters through the club's rich history. It will feature a display of Derry City kits from every season since the club's return to League of Ireland football in 1985. Organisers have also gathered archive video footage, historical photographs, and newspaper coverage that documents the Candystripes' journey over the past four decades. Guest speakers and familiar faces from different eras of the club will share personal memories and stories.
Sinead Devine, the SEEDS Co-Ordinator at Health for Life, explained the thinking behind the event. "Football is part of the lives of so many people in this city and can hold very strong memories for them," she said. The SEEDS project supports individuals living with dementia and their families.
Who can attend and how do they get tickets?
There are two distinct sessions planned for the day. The first runs from 11am to 1pm and is exclusively for members of the SEEDS project and their families. The second session begins at 2pm and is open to the general public. Admission for the public session is by free ticket only, which must be secured in advance via the club's official website at www.derrycityfc.net. Tickets are limited to two per person and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Lawrence Moore, Derry City FC's Football Social Responsibility Officer, expressed the club's enthusiasm for the initiative. "We’re delighted to be working with Health for Life and SEEDS and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium," Moore stated. This event is part of the club's ongoing commitment to its community role beyond the pitch.
How does this fit with the current season?
The club's off-field community work continues as the team navigates the 2026 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign. As of early September, Derry City sits sixth in the table with 34 points from 29 matches. Their record shows seven wins, thirteen draws, and nine losses. They have scored 41 goals while conceding 40, giving them a narrow positive goal difference of one.
Their most recent outing was a thrilling 3-3 draw at home against league leaders Shamrock Rovers on August 30. That result leaves Derry City 21 points behind Rovers in the title race. The team's form over the last five games reads one win, two draws, and two losses. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page and view upcoming matches on our fixtures list.
What is next for Derry City?
Attention will quickly return to on-pitch matters following the community event. The Candystripes' next competitive fixture is a significant home match against Dundalk on September 6. Dundalk currently occupies fourth place in the Premier Division, making it a key encounter in the battle for European qualification spots. The club will be hoping to build on the momentum from their high-scoring draw with Shamrock Rovers when they face another top-four opponent.
This story was first reported by the Derry Journal. The 'Down Memory Lane' event represents a meaningful link between the club's past and its present community ethos, set against the backdrop of a challenging but promising league season. Derry City hosts Dundalk at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Sunday, September 6.
