Derry's licence to claim

On Soccer:  They have won very few friends since the start of the year with the way they have handled being the only club to be awarded a UEFA "A" licence, but it seems that we still haven't heard the end of Derry City and the once revered scheme, writes Emmet Malone

The news that the Brandywell outfit are seeking compensation for what they see as the improper way in which the introduction of the scheme has been handled is hardly a huge surprise, but what is potentially more interesting about the case is the insight it may provide into the running of Merrion Square and its relationship with the Eircom League's clubs.

Last week's decision to grant all of the Irish qualifiers for this season's European competitions an "A" licence might be viewed with some scepticism by neutral observers, but from the FAI's point of view it certainly appeared to undermine Derry's case that as the only club with an "A" licence they should either get a place in Europe or a fun-sized cheque instead. The club's solicitors, however, made it clear yesterday that the fight is far from over. Having written to the association last week Des Doherty, Derry's legal representative, says that he expects a reply by the end of this one. If it is not received, he says, then City are likely to issue legal proceedings.

Over the weekend Fran Rooney said that he had yet to see Derry's letter while insisting that the association had nothing to fear from an outside investigation into the way the whole licensing scheme has been administered to date. Much of what he has had to deal with has not been of the chief executive's making, but there is certainly a widespread perception that there is some ducking and diving going on in the way Merrion Square has sought to deal with a difficult situation.

Doherty says that Derry officials will seek to obtain all of the information and documents in the possession of the association as part of their legal action. If the association has acted in any way improperly then this may cause quite a bit of discomfort around the association's offices and, if history is any guide, a deal will be quietly done.

If, on the other hand, everything really is above board then given the levels of scepticism that now exist about the whole licensing issue, it actually may be a good thing in that it would present the organisation's leading figures with an opportunity to make public documents and details many of which would otherwise be covered by confidentiality agreements.

City, of course, claim, with some justification, that they achieved the "A" licence standard at the expense of the quality of their league team. They also claim that if they had been told a year ago that when push came to shove the FAI would simply allow everyone to play in the Premier Division regardless of whether they had a licence or not then they would be a good deal better off now. Work is apparently under way on gauging just how much better off and this figure will form the basis of what Doherty says will be High Court claim.

As it happens, Gavin Dykes, who resigned as Derry manager over the weekend, is no longer around to benefit in the event that additional funds do become available for strengthening the squad. Peter Hutton was appointed as caretaker manager yesterday, a move that has angered Liam Coyle whose contract with the club expired yesterday. Hutton says that he does not want the post on a long-term basis and so a shortlist is to be drawn up this week with an appointment - Jimmy McGeough is the favourite - due tomorrow week.

Their football may not be the best, which Derry might be able to do something about. Off the pitch, it's rarely dull at the Brandywell and that seems unlikely to change for whoever gets the job.