Part 2
Harry Cavan made a statement saying that there was no bias towards Derry City, and that they could again play in Europe, as soon as their ground was brought up to standard. However he was not prepared to tell anyone what that standard was.
On Sept 25th the IL vetoed a Gold Cup against Ards. The Derry Citizens Action Committee guaranteed they would provide stewards for the game, and Ards to their credit, said the would play, but the IL wouldn’t listen. On Oct 18th Derry played their first home game against Ards, in the IL. But when Derry drew Linfield in the semi-final of the cup, Derry were amazed to be told that they had to travel to the Oval for the game. A very low gate of £900, showed how angry the Derry supporters were. The game was marred by hooligans from a section of the Linfield support, who poured into the empty seats in the main stand, and abused Derry fans with sectarian ranting. For the record, Linfield won 2-1.
Derry’s home league game against Linfield, was moved by the IFA to Coleraine. The reason given for that was that their MIGHT be repercussions against the Linfield supporters, for their behaviour in the cup-tie. And to rub it in, the IFA ordered Derry to pay Linfield £75, guaranteed to away teams. The gate was only £70, and of course Derry lost heavily. So the disgraceful behaviour of the Linfield hooligans was rewarded by the IFA.
The following season, The Security Council banned home games against the Glens and Linfield. This again angered Derry, for they found it incredulous that they were being told, that it wasn’t safe for Glentoran and Linfield supporters to come to the Brandywell, but it was ok for Derry supporters to go to Windsor and East Belfast. Derry played six away games before they played their first home game at the Brandywell.
On Nov the SC amazingly decided that Derry should play Linfield in Windsor Park. Derry refused to travel, as they said their players would be at risk, and couldn’t accept that their players were in no danger. The Irish League Rules Revision Committee (there’s a mouthful) accepted Derry’s reason for not travelling. But then ordered Derry to pay Linfield £300 and awarded the 2 points to Linfield.. Amazing. But just another nail in the coffin.
Again Linfield were Derry’s opponents in the semi-final of the cup, but this time the IFA relented and played the game at Coleraine. This was Derry’s last cup game against Linfield, For the record Derry won 1-0.
Derry faced Distillery in the final, and a major shock was, that Windsor was appointed as the venue. No amount of protest would budge the IFA, they were implacable, so under duress Derry went ahead with the game.
This match became known as ‘The Silent Final’, Derry sold only 150 of 2000 stand tickets. What a contrast from the 28000 who watched the 1964 final against Glentoran. Harry Cavan also let it be known, that if Derry won the Cup they would not be allowed to play in Europe.
Again the IFA showed they had absolutely no sympathy for Derry when they ordered them to play their postponed game against Linfield at Windsor Pk.
In season 70-71, after three successive games at home Derry played Ballymena Utd. During the game, and unnoticed to those who were attending the game, a gang entered
Bookmarks