Long wait is over as Derry face old rivals

Pre-season friendly: Arthur Duffy sets the scene for the return of Linfield to the Brandywell for the first time in over 36 years

A few years ago it would have been viewed almost impossible, but reigning Irish League champions Linfield will return to face Derry City at the Brandywell for the first time in over 36 years tonight (7.45 p.m. kick-off). And it comes as no surprise that this particular 'friendly' fixture has captured the imagination of soccer followers throughout Northern Ireland.

Tonight's game, the first of a two-legged affair, is expected to attract an attendance of 5,000 supporters, the vast majority of which will be "Candy Striped" followers.

Due to the civil unrest in Northern Ireland, Linfield last played at Brandywell on January 25th, 1969 - the final game of that season. Derry secured a 2-1 victory to finish the league as runners-up as the Belfast "Blues" had won the League Championship the previous weekend.

And the turbulent years which followed eventually saw the Foyleside club sever its relationship with Irish League football in 1972, spending 13 years in the soccer wilderness until the then League of Ireland accepted an application to join them in September, 1985, with the blessing of the northern league.

Over the past decade Linfield have implemented significant changes at Windsor Park; their highly controversial policy of not signing Catholic players now confined to history.

And with average attendance figures in the Irish League at an all-time low, it's believed that clubs on both sides of the border are seeking ways to improve and foster relationships.

Tonight's game, therefore, is believed to be one such attempt and Derry's invitation to Linfield last November was greeted with enthusiasm.

"Linfield were delighted to receive our invitation to play at Brandywell and we were delighted to be in a position to offer them a return to play in Windsor Park," claimed new City chairman, Hugh McDaid.

"While both clubs agreed it was time such a match took place, there were others who remained sceptical and, indeed, sections of the media appeared intent on creating controversy," he added. "It's been 36 years since Linfield last played here and those who followed Derry in the Irish League will tell you many exciting stories relating to past matches between the clubs. At Derry City we felt the time was now right for such a game and having agreed to play us at Brandywell, we've also accepted an invitation to visit Windsor Park in the future."

McDaid confirmed that tickets for the match had been selling well and he expected an attendance of around 5,000 to watch the game. The Linfield ticket allocation has been confined to 300 and those fans will be segregated in the Southend Park Stand.

It's understood Linfield's travelling supporters will be ferried into the ground in buses and there will be no flags or political emblems on display.

"As a football club, our priority is centred on sport and as directors we are charged with the responsibility of keeping Derry City FC in a sound financial state. The visit of Linfield will go a long way in helping achieve those priorities," concluded McDaid.