Hit them Derry......

Another European night in the Brandywell and another night to make history. Derry City have been in existence for more than eighty years. We have been participating in European competitions for forty five years. In that time we have been entered 12 times, we have progressed three times. Three times in 45 years. Tomorrow we have the chance to make that four times. That's history, that's something that you can stand over and say “I was there”. There are Derry fans that have followed the team for years and never had the chance to see their team play in Europe, never mind have the chance to progress.




It isn't going to be easy. We have the away goal but that means nothing. Skonto score, we're back to square one. William James once said “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” That is the mindset we must adopt as supporters tomorrow night. I'm not going to peddle some hocus pocus about a 12th man having some magical effect. At the end of the day, it will be the players on the pitch that make the difference but what can we do to help them. Is sitting meekly in your seat, or abusing Sammy Morrow or whoever the fates have chosen is going to get the abuse going to help? What the team needs is that explosion of sound which they hear as they exit the dressing rooms and walk towards the pitch. They need the wall of noise which makes the hair and the back of their neck stand up when they cross the dog track. That Brandywell roar that never ceases, never falters just drones on and on, louder and louder for the whole ninety minutes.

We've haven't had it for a while. We had it for a brief time in the Bohs game but mostly it has been lacking. Well if we ever needed it, we need it now. Sack the team, we all need it. That's what its all about, that feeling of coming away from the game with your throat killing you and your head pounding because you just kept singing. The atmosphere so intense that you forget all about everything else. You aren't checking your phone every five minutes because you are bored, you aren't looking round you. Your hands are sore because you have been clapping for so long and it sounds like you are singing “Reudenheightnarmy” as you have been chanting it for so long. So follow the advice of William James and act as if what you do does indeed make the difference.

12 times since the mid sixties we have been in Europe. The game is early so there is probably only time for a quick one(if even) before the game. Make sure you have your jersey, your scarf, your flags, whatever it is you take. Round up a posse tomorrow and get them to go. This is history, everyone wants to be part of history. Get in early. This is not one for filing in late and taking your seat. We could be out of the competition this time tomorrow night, lets get in early and really get the place buzzing. If you are given a flag wave it. Wave your scarf round your head. Roar your head off, what you can do for the atmosphere, do it.

Right, you're sick of the petty actions of councillors. You're sick that we are still playing in a shitty stadium. Your pissed off that our League title challenge may have come off the rails. You're tired of the stick that “proud Derry men” give you for supporting your team, whilst these patriots look east for their fix of soap opera. You're fed up with news of job cuts and doom and gloom. Forget it all, this is a chance to show that one aspect of Derry City fears no one. No one in this island, no one in Europe. So let's show it. Let's give a massive message on and off the pitch that we'll never be broken and this little corner of Europe fears no one.

We are Derry City. Everything else in your life may change but you'll always be City. You may waver at times, you may wonder you do it at times, but you're always City. You might be driving back from Cork/Waterford/Dublin after a defeat and moaning, but you're always City. You always look at the fixtures to see how you can fit it round holidays. You'll text home or seek an internet cafe for the results. People ask you who you support, you say Derry. You don't have to think about it, there is only one answer. People ask you who you really support and you think “What does this clown mean” and just go, Derry. Tomorrow night is a chance to enjoy yourself, throw off the shackles of any of the rest of your problems and just go mad. Let the Premiershite brigade wet themselves over another weekend of televised bollix. Brandywell, 7pm, that's what it is all about.

You'll spend tomorrow checking here, checking the news, chatting about the game. As the time ticks on you start to get the butterfiles, the nerves. People will be asking you to do stuff, but you'll be worry about what the midfield will be. Who will start up front, will this be the day that Morrow gets back to form? Then it will be time to go.

Grab your gear, jump in the car. Head for the Brandy and see the lights. You're nearly there and a bit of nervous laughter to calm you down. Lock the car and start the walk. See the faces, hear the noise. Vincent shouting about programmes, half time draw tickets on sale. Enter the ground, take a deep breath. See the friendly faces and the people you know to nod to. Take you seat(or not). Have a chat with those around you. Feel the buzz again, the nerves start to build. Thumb the programme, not really concentrating. The place packs up, the tension is really starting to build now. The drum begins to sound out from Block J and the chants start up. This is it. This is what it is all about.

There will be times when we'll worry. The ultimate test of a man comes not from where he stand in times of comfort, but in times of challenge and controversy. Those are the words of Martin Luther King. Tomorrow night is about raising a massive flag to the rest of the world. We're here, we exist and we will face any challenge. Ask people anywhere over the world about Derry and you'll get references to Bloody Sunday, the Troubles, pick whatever you want. Say the world Brandywell to people and to most it will draw a blank. To those that do know it, it means football. It means Derry City and the famous red and white stripes. It means trebles, it means PSG and Gothenburg, it means atmosphere and passion. Tomorrow night, and every other European night is about making more and more people home and abroad aware of what Derry City and Brandywell means.

Who are we? We're Derry City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ImCgiTV6I&feature=related

We love you, we love you.......