One club man McCallion reaches 500
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There are few players out there who can boast being a ‘one club man’ and in this day and age no one epitomises loyalty like Derry City’s Eddie McCallion.
On Tuesday night the defender affectionately known as ‘Steady Eddie’ by City supporters made his 500th appearance for his hometown club in their 2-0 win over Drogheda Utd. He now joins an elite list at the club. “I’m the third player from Derry to play 500 games,” McCallion told extratime.ie. “To think only myself and two others have reached that. Peter Hutton and Paul Curran are the other two. It’s nice to be up beside them.”
McCallion made his debut for the Candystripes in September 1998 away to Cork City. He doesn’t remember much about the game but for him he was living the dream. “All I can remember about my first game was that it was an early kick-off but it was great to be actually playing for Derry. When I was younger I used to love going to watch the games. I’ll always remember the treble winning season. Memories I had when I was younger with Derry have never left me and then to actually play for them. I never wanted to go anywhere else.”
Over the years managers came to the Brandywell and McCallion found himself not in their plans but he stuck with it. He worked hard to prove a lot of them wrong and fight for his place. He said, “It has happened a few times to me. A few managers came in and didn’t want me. I didn’t know what was going to happen. Dermot Keely told me when he came to the club that I was out the door but a while later he was gone. I did well to keep my place at the club.”
In over 12 years ‘Steady Eddie’ has experienced lots of highs and lows with the club he has loved so well. Looking back there are a few things that stand out for him. “There are a lot of highlights. The European games are the ones that kind of stick out. A big thing as well was for me to captain Derry against PSG at home. That was a great honour and such a big occasion. Winning the First Division last year was another highlight. Every trophy I have won for Derry has been a big plus.”
McCallion is a firm favourite with the Derry City supporters and both have a mutual respect for each other. He admitted he has always been committed to the club and its supporters. “I think the fans know that I go out and give my all. For Derry people as long as you’re going out and trying and playing for the jersey, it’s what they want. I’ll keep doing that. They do give you a bit of stick that’s all part and parcel of the game. “
At 32 years of age McCallion is enjoying his football and feels he can continue for a long number of years. He still has the same appetite for football now as he had when he made his debut in ’98. “I’ve enjoyed it from my first game to my 500th one. I want to go on and play as long as I can. The body will let you know when it’s time to stop. At the minute I feel fit and healthy. It has been such a big part of my life. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. What makes it easier for me to be here is the fans and the people around the club. I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else,” said the genial footballer.
On Tuesday night the defender affectionately known as ‘Steady Eddie’ by City supporters made his 500th appearance for his hometown club in their 2-0 win over Drogheda Utd. He now joins an elite list at the club. “I’m the third player from Derry to play 500 games,” McCallion told extratime.ie. “To think only myself and two others have reached that. Peter Hutton and Paul Curran are the other two. It’s nice to be up beside them.”
McCallion made his debut for the Candystripes in September 1998 away to Cork City. He doesn’t remember much about the game but for him he was living the dream. “All I can remember about my first game was that it was an early kick-off but it was great to be actually playing for Derry. When I was younger I used to love going to watch the games. I’ll always remember the treble winning season. Memories I had when I was younger with Derry have never left me and then to actually play for them. I never wanted to go anywhere else.”
Over the years managers came to the Brandywell and McCallion found himself not in their plans but he stuck with it. He worked hard to prove a lot of them wrong and fight for his place. He said, “It has happened a few times to me. A few managers came in and didn’t want me. I didn’t know what was going to happen. Dermot Keely told me when he came to the club that I was out the door but a while later he was gone. I did well to keep my place at the club.”
In over 12 years ‘Steady Eddie’ has experienced lots of highs and lows with the club he has loved so well. Looking back there are a few things that stand out for him. “There are a lot of highlights. The European games are the ones that kind of stick out. A big thing as well was for me to captain Derry against PSG at home. That was a great honour and such a big occasion. Winning the First Division last year was another highlight. Every trophy I have won for Derry has been a big plus.”
McCallion is a firm favourite with the Derry City supporters and both have a mutual respect for each other. He admitted he has always been committed to the club and its supporters. “I think the fans know that I go out and give my all. For Derry people as long as you’re going out and trying and playing for the jersey, it’s what they want. I’ll keep doing that. They do give you a bit of stick that’s all part and parcel of the game. “
At 32 years of age McCallion is enjoying his football and feels he can continue for a long number of years. He still has the same appetite for football now as he had when he made his debut in ’98. “I’ve enjoyed it from my first game to my 500th one. I want to go on and play as long as I can. The body will let you know when it’s time to stop. At the minute I feel fit and healthy. It has been such a big part of my life. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. What makes it easier for me to be here is the fans and the people around the club. I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else,” said the genial footballer.
