Derry City take preparations to a new level!
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2001
Derry City 1 - 3 Real Madrid
Derry City travel to Richmond Park this Friday for a 7.45pm kick-off against the Saints. The Northern club has had a mixed start to the season with a 1-0 defeat against Bohs and a 2-0 win over Monaghan United. That home win was significant not least because it was Derry's first experiment in Thursday night football. This move is not going to prove popular with away fans but Derry will argue that the level of away fans at the Brandywell is not worth considering in the first place due to the low numbers that make the trip. In any event the board were delighted with the 1,500 that turned up for the Monaghan game, a lot more than was expected, they even ran out of programmes! Whatever the merits of Thursday night football in the Brandywell all Saints fans will wish them the best anyway following their financial problems of last season. Turning to Friday's game we're used to away teams taking the trip to Richer seriously, but this week's opponents went one step further, with a warm up game against one of the great names in world football, Real Madrid. The report below is taken from Niall Conway's Derrycityfc.com on a fixture that worked out with "mixed" results for the Candystripes both on and off the pitch.
THE
FAILURE of Derry's footballing public to physically support Sunday's
historic visit of Real Madrid, clearly disappointed the powers
that be at the Brandywell. But, nevertheless, the local club's
Board of Directors insisted last night that the fixture proved
a phenomenal success in terms of forging a new relationship with
one of the biggest football organisations in the world.
While Derry's hopes of raising substantial finance from staging
the game did not materialise, the club's Commercial Director,
Mr. Jim Roddy, has confirmed that the attendance "more than
covered the cost of expenses" and, indeed, the club would
record a respectable profit.
With
an estimated crowd of around 3,000 paying customers, the local
club avoided a loss - the cost of chartering the aircraft which
brought the Real Madrid team over understood to have cost in the
region of £35,000.
"Of
course we're disappointed at the attendance figures but I think
it's important to point out that we did not make a loss or anything
like that. We're disappointed that we didn't have a capacity attendance
for the visit of a team representing Real Madrid, one of the world's
greatest clubs," said Roddy.
"To
be honest, I feel disappointed for John Hume, in particular. He
played a major role in bringing the Spanish club here and for
those who did attend the game, very few would have gone home disappointed,"
added Roddy.
"Our
expenses have been covered, indeed, we will make a profit from
staging the game but it wasn't all about money. To have a team
representing Real Madrid playing in the Brandywell was special.
To have the Spanish star of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico also
involved, Emilio Butragueno, was also very special. It was a superb
occasion and one which will go into the history books at Derry
City.
"I
think Real enjoyed their short stay in the city. We received very
favourable comments from everyone involved in their party and,
who knows, we could meet again in future years."
He
went on: "We also used this occasion to entertain our main
sponsors and associate sponsors and that policy appeared to be
well received by them. In fact, we had a wonderful day, everyone
appeared to be happy and while we are disappointed that we did
not boast a capacity attendance, we look back on the occasion
with fond memories. It was a great success as far as we were concerned."
With
Real arriving without their more recognised stars, the 16 players
who did take part never disappointed.
Technically
superb, they had Derry City players in a tizzy throughout the
opening stages and the movement of Real off the ball was a joy
to behold.
Always
appearing to have extra players going forward, Real retreated
behind the ball when not in possession, a fact which clearly stymied
the home lot when in possession.
Indeed, the opening 11 minutes set the scene with Real slicing
through the home defence to net twice. And from that point, one
feared that the "Candy Stripes" would sustain an almighty
hiding, but enter accomplished goalkeeper, Russell Payne.
The
American, without a shadow of doubt, performed heroics in the
Derry goal, especially in the second half. Payne denied the Spaniards
on no less than four occasions with top drawer saves which had
him at full stretch.
And his ability to advance off his line to intercept dangerous
crosses into his area was also top quality.
After
the game, "The Vulture" himself, Butragueno praised
Payne's sterling efforts. "I thought we should have scored
three our four more goals," he said.
"But
the Derry City keeper gave a very good performance. I thought
we played very well as a unit and always appeared to be in control
but we must give credit to the keeper, he did very well,"
added Butragueno.
"We
got off to a very good start and I think the match got very competitive,
especially in the second half. We enjoyed the experience, it was
a good test and I think everyone in our party has enjoyed the
trip," he declared.
Three
members of the Real team have sampled first team football with
two players having been involved in pre-season games while substitute
centre-half, Ruben Gonzales, entered the fray as a substitute
against Anderlecht in last season's Champions' League campaign.
The
Spaniards imposed themselves from the start and with the impressive
Antonio Sanchez Manu, virtually running the show in midfield,
they broke the deadlock after just three minutes.
Manu
skilfully weaved his way into the danger area before intelligently
cutting the ball back into the path of Jose Luis CAPDEVILA and
he made no mistake when side-footing the ball home.
Eight
minutes later Real doubled their lead and again the Derry defence
was carved wide open. On this occasion striker, Carlos Reina ARANDA,
had another easy opportunity to find the net from close range.
Real
constantly poured forward when in possession and, at the same
time, retreated in numbers when losing the ball. Indeed, they
appeared happy to allowed Derry attempt to knock it about, but
only when the ball was in the home side's half of the field.
Payne's
opening contribution arrived in the 28th minute when he superbly
saved a ferocious shot from Valdo as Derry constantly tried to
make inroads.
And
one local player who will consider himself particularly unlucky
will be Stephen Parkhouse who was very unfortunate not to score
before the interval.
With
Real keeper, Diego Arroyo, clearly the loneliest player on the
park during the first half, Parkhouse latched onto a high ball
from midfield but the striker's attempted chip shot crashed off
the inside of the post before it was gathered by the relieved
keeper.
Payne
produced top quality stops after the break when denying Luis Garcia,
Francisco Sousa and Antonio Nunez as the home side continued to
attempt to break down Real's resolute style of play.
And
another remarkable save by the Derry keeper in the 69th minute,
made him the undoubted hero of the day for the home side. Diving
at full stretch, the former Boston Bulldog acrobatically touched
Franciso's Chupe's powerful shot over his crossbar.
But
Derry had one memorable moment when referee, Hugh Byrne, immediately
pointed to the penalty spot in the 88th minute after substitute
defender, Ruben Gonzales, clearly handled the ball inside the
area.
Tommy
McCALLION stepped up for the second time in four days, to gleefully
guide the ball home and give the home support something to cheer
about.
However,
it was Real who had the final say when a deep cross from Camacho
found Antonio NUNEZ lurking at the back post and he headed the
ball firmly home past the startled Gary Ramsey who had entered
the fray as a late substitute.
DERRY
CITY - Russell Payne, Eddie McCallion, Sean Hargan, Darren
Kelly, Paddy McLaughlin, Eamon Doherty, Gary Beckett, Darren McCready,
Darren McCaul, Gareth McGlynn, Floyd Gilmour.
Subs., Stephen Parkhouse, Tommy McCallion, Derek Phillips and
Jamie Hughes for Gilmour, McGlynn, McCready and Hughes; Kevin
Deery for Beckett; Kevin Ward for Hargan; Gareth Mullan for McLaughlin
and Gary Ramsey for Payne.
REAL MADRID - Arroyo, Minaambres, Borja, Pavon, Pelu, Valdo,
Manu, Aranda, Capdevila, Raul Bravo.
Subs., Ruben, Sousa, Luis Garcia, Camacho and Chupe.
REFEREE
- Mr. Hugh Byrne (Dublin).
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