Derry City FC has received a major boost in its bid for Stormont funding after councillors approved a proposal for a long-term lease of the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. The proposal, which offers the club a minimum 25-year lease, aims to pave the way for Derry City to eventually own the stadium. This step is critical for the club to access a share of the Northern Ireland Football Fund, a 36-million-pound fund aimed at improving sports facilities.

The council would have to cover 40 percent of the project costs if they applied for funding under the present standards. However, the club would only have to pay 5 percent of the expenditures if Derry City signed a long-term lease with the goal of owning the property. The projected stadium renovations are expected to cost approximately 11.8 million pounds.

The council's capacity to pay the 40 percent match money was therefore questioned during the discussion, which might have an effect on the completion of ongoing projects like the Mark Farren Stand. Named after a former player, this stand is part of a 7-million-pound reconstruction that started in 2018, however even though planning has been approved, the second phase of the project has not yet been constructed.

Sinn Féin’s councillor Christopher Jackson expressed strong support for the proposal, stating, “The football club is a thriving hub at the heart of our community, and it deserves this long-overdue funding”. Christopher Jackson further explained the importance of providing a first-class experience for local supporters and ensuring the club’s continued growth.

For the proposal to move forward, officials will need to seek legislative changes due to the Londonderry Corporation Act of 1918, which currently restricts the council from entering into long-term leases of over 12 months.