I CAN’T PHIL THE BLANKS FOREVER

DERRY City chairman

Phil O’doherty has issued a warning about the club’s financial situation.

Responding to criticism regarding ticket prices for the Europa League clash with Dinamo Minsk at the Brandywell next

Thursday, O’doherty said: “There has been a raft of negative comments on the price of tickets – comments from long time supporters who say they have never missed a European game but will not be attending, and there have been calls to boycott the match.

“It (the club) will admit the price of children’s tickets were expensive and have taken steps to reduce those prices.”

But O’doherty (below) added: “For the last number of years our outgoings have outstripped our income by a considerable amount.

“The money generated from European competition, from sponsors and the sale of some players to English clubs has helped, but at the end of each financial year I have had to fill that gap. That is neither a healthy nor a sustainable long term solution.”