The proposal has received positive feedback online.
Derry City are to discuss the possibility of renaming the Brandywell Stadium after the club’s late captain Ryan McBride.
McBride passed away in his sleep last March at the age of 27 and the Ryan McBride Foundation, a charity organisation set up following his death, is hopeful of meeting the club’s officials to discuss renaming the Brandywell in his memory.
According to the Derry Journal, names being considered include ‘The Ryan McBride Stadium’, ‘The Ryan McBride Memorial Stadium’ or ‘The McBride 5 Stadium.’ The plan is to rename the stadium either before the start of the 2018 Airtricity League season or on the one-year anniversary of his death, on March 19th.
“Obviously, we have developed very close links with the Ryan McBride Foundation and I would imagine that next Monday’s meeting would be informative with the Foundation letting us know how things are developing from their perspective,” Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty told the Derry Journal.”
Folks Wednesday night's meeting about the naming of The Ryan McBride Stadium is open to all – it is not a Derry City meeting. 7.30pm Gasyard
Ryan was more than just a footballer – we know the people from the Brandywell (and other areas) will not let him down. pic.twitter.com/YzMVwaGAxd
— Ryan McBride Foundation #5 (@RyanMcBrideFnd) January 15, 2018
The proposal would see the football stadium renamed with the Showgrounds pitch, greyhound track and park remaining as the Brandywell Complex.
A statement from the Ryan McBride Foundation read: “Part of the Foundation’s remit from the outset was to create a legacy for Ryan, there is no more fitting a legacy than having the stadium named after him. “We have received a lot of support from Derry City fans, however, we also understand the concerns of some Derry City fans and know that there will always be differing feelings on change.
A five-person Derry City & Strabane Council working group has been appointed to examine the proposal.
Ryan McBride would've been just 28 today. He certainly left his mark on this world anyway. Rest in peace, big man. pic.twitter.com/CkP0zDoHrO
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 15, 2017
