Candystripes chairman says club could leave Brandywell

Phillip O'Doherty - currently engaged in ensuring the club's participation in the League of Ireland First Division this season - said the delapidated state of the Brandywell was making it difficult to attract major sponsors and a move to a more suitable ground may be the way forward.

"At the time the Brandywell opened it was in what was pretty much the heart of the city," he said.

"But the population has moved away, northwards and there is a lack of parking at the stadium which has become a major difficulty over the years.

"Clearly we need to do something because the place is very run down and while local fans know what to expect, there is definitely a problem in terms of trying to attract sponsors and their guests, particularly from larger and multi-national companies.

"A municipal stadium elsewhere, maybe one that we share with a couple of junior clubs, might actually cost less and be easier to achieve than the sort of redevelopment of the Brandywell that we would require.

"Out on the Buncrana Road there is already a complex with a variety of sports facilities and additional land, the idea would be to make the most of that in co-operation with the local council while also looking at ways of possibly making it attractive for people from the private sector to invest."

He said the idea of the club leaving the Brandywell would upset many in the area but expressed hope the facility might be retained for use by other local soccer clubs.