Disappointed Deery departs Derry

DERRY City have released former club captain Kevin Deery, with new manager Roddy Collins opting not to offer the midfielder a contract.

Deery, who has struggled with a series of injuries in recent seasons, had been doing his rehab and training with the Candystripes throughout their pre-season campaign in a bid to prove to Collins that he was still of worth to the club. However, it has emerged that Collins has chosen to allow the stalwart to leave the club, after more than ten years.

Speaking to ExtraTime.ie, the Creggan man was understandably disappointed at the manner of how he has been released.

"It was a bit surreal if I'm honest.

"It felt as if it was strung along a bit. I had been doing my rehab work with Michael Hegarty (the club's physio) and just last week, I had returned to full training with the lads. 

"I honestly felt I was getting there. I was feeling good and although I had a long way to go, I still had every ambition of playing again this season.

"About two weeks ago, I felt I was coming along rightly. The manager didn't think so, so it's just one of those things", he said.

The announcement, confirmed by Deery over social media, has been met with mixed reactions among City fans. Despite having not featured in as many games in the last few years, Deery was highly regarded for his 'one-club' stance at the Brandywell.

"I've always wanted to play my full career with Derry City, nobody else.

"I felt that I could still have some sort of input in the squad, despite my injuries. I know I've probably only played around 25 games in two seasons, but if you ask most of the players, when I was in the team, our results were better."

Having come up through the ranks at the club, he has been part of numerous successful City sides, most notably captaining them to FAI Cup glory in 2012, over St Patrick's Athletic. Indeed, his goals in European competition also made him a firm fans favourite, scoring two memorable strikes against Gretna during the 2006 UEFA Cup qualifiers. 

Having been a part of these sides, as well as featuring alongside the likes of David Forde, James McClean, Paddy McCourt, Niall McGinn and Peter Hutton, Deery feels that he brought something to those squads, as well as having an effect on younger players.

"Because I've been around since I was a young fella, I always felt I brought something to the dressing room. 

"The younger lads would see me as a bit of an infectious character, but at the same time, I’d be serious when I need to be.

"What is disappointing is that Roddy seemed to not want to get to know me, as a player or as a figure in the dressing room."

Deery joins a list of popular Derry players to be shown the door by Collins. Ruaidhri Higgins, David McDaid, Eugene Ferry and Stewart Greacen were all allowed to leave the club, and while all of these have found clubs, Deery is in the unfortunate position of being two games into a season and now finding his fitness, and indeed, a club.

"It's hard to take. I would not have minded as much if I was told six weeks ago that I wouldn't be getting a deal, but again, that's how it goes. 

"The manager has brought in his own group of experienced players, and got rid of ones that were there, and that's fine. I just feel that he never gave me a chance", he said.

So what now for the former City captain? A difficult recovery process will prove even more difficult now without the backing of a club. But it is something Kevin Deery is not going to give up on.

He said: "To be honest, my only aim now is to get as fit as I possibly can be. I am not in a great position, I know that, but it's something to focus on now.

"I know that injuries have really knocked me back, but I also know that all I just need is a bit of luck. 

"I have to be confident that I'll get back to a good level again, and hopefully that will be sooner rather than later."