Derry City

Very sad news. Condolences to anyone connected to Ryan and at Derry city. RIP Ryan 

Sad news.

Thanks lads, much appreciated. James was up tonight

Bronze- correct I think the rivalry is the friendliest in football.

Has anyone contacts within rte or setanta to get copies of all televised games that Ryan played in ?

My thoughts are with you SHH,all your family and all associated with Derry City 

Lads,

Just a wee note to say thank you for the messages over the past week, the banners at the loi grounds, the banners at the Wales game and to all those who came up to derry or sent cards/flowers. I am sure ybig and it's members had a hand in a lot of this.

The loi is a close knit community and we pull together fantastically when needed. I am sure every club had someone in attendance at the wake and funeral but personally I had a good chat with Dave Robertson and Mr O'sullivan from limerick fc. It was a great effort from him to drive from limerick to the wake on thursday and I think he set off in the middle of the night. He spent a lot of time with Ryan's dad and has invited us to limerick as their guests when we play them. Finn harps turned out in force and Linfield's chairman also spent a couple of hours chatting with us. We received a delivery of flowers from Robbie Keane as ever showing his class

Ryan's family saved every picture from every loi ground and the tributes have been a great comfort. We have taken great solace on how much he was respected across the league which is amazing given how fierce a competitor he was. Ryan was one of a kind and turned down a deal to leave derry which would have trebled his wages.

As usual Mr Delaney has disgraced the office of CEO of our football association but I'd prefer to concentrate on all the positive reaction and support we have received.

Below is a tribute to ryAn that I posted yesterday through the tears. Not as eloquent as Kenny Shields but straight from the heart nonetheless;

Thank you to everyone who has sent messages to me and Colleen over the past week - there are so many that we haven't been able to respond to all but we have read them all and appreciate the kind words.

As has been said, Ryan was a warrior and leader on the pitch but off it he had a soft side particularly when it came to his sisters and nieces. I have only known him 10 years but in that time he has matured into a lovely young man who had a great future ahead of him. Only a couple of weeks ago I was having a disaster when trying to move office until Ryan landed with a van that he got a lend of and spent the whole day shifting desks and boxes for me.

He gave us all so much pride when he played and particularly when he captained Derry - he has left a hole in so many people's lives that just cannot be filled. What Ryan achieved - going from D&D football to Derry City to the first team to become captain and then the best defender in this country is a fairytale story and I don't think it will ever happen again. Unfortunately the fairytale didn't have a happy ending on this occasion.

Nothing anyone can do will ease the loss but if the people of derry want to honour Ryan then get behind Kenny and the team and whilst it's easy to fill maginn park - honour Ryan by filling the brandywell next year and every year after that - he loved the club, the players and the fans so it is what he would want.

In truth, Ryan was a hero to me for how he played the game and all that he achieved and I loved him like he was my own brother. We will in the coming months find a way of honouring him and keeping his name alive.

RIP Bunge

Great post SHH

On a side note why am I not surprised to read that about JD ffs

Got back today after two weeks away and was catching up on soccer Republic, surreal seeing him score two in the first one I'd taped and then the second was a memorial programme....

Puts everything in perspective. Thanks for updates shh, thoughts with you and yours. He did the best he possibly could've with his life it appears and very few people can say that

Stillhuntinghenry wrote: Lads, Just a wee note to say thank you for the messages over the past week, the banners at the loi grounds, the banners at the Wales game and to all those who came up to derry or sent cards/flowers. I am sure ybig and it's members had a hand in a lot of this. The loi is a close knit community and we pull together fantastically when needed. I am sure every club had someone in attendance at the wake and funeral but personally I had a good chat with Dave Robertson and Mr O'sullivan from limerick fc. It was a great effort from him to drive from limerick to the wake on thursday and I think he set off in the middle of the night. He spent a lot of time with Ryan's dad and has invited us to limerick as their guests when we play them. Finn harps turned out in force and Linfield's chairman also spent a couple of hours chatting with us. We received a delivery of flowers from Robbie Keane as ever showing his class Ryan's family saved every picture from every loi ground and the tributes have been a great comfort. We have taken great solace on how much he was respected across the league which is amazing given how fierce a competitor he was. Ryan was one of a kind and turned down a deal to leave derry which would have trebled his wages. As usual Mr Delaney has disgraced the office of CEO of our football association but I'd prefer to concentrate on all the positive reaction and support we have received. Below is a tribute to ryAn that I posted yesterday through the tears. Not as eloquent as Kenny Shields but straight from the heart nonetheless; Thank you to everyone who has sent messages to me and Colleen over the past week - there are so many that we haven't been able to respond to all but we have read them all and appreciate the kind words. As has been said, Ryan was a warrior and leader on the pitch but off it he had a soft side particularly when it came to his sisters and nieces. I have only known him 10 years but in that time he has matured into a lovely young man who had a great future ahead of him. Only a couple of weeks ago I was having a disaster when trying to move office until Ryan landed with a van that he got a lend of and spent the whole day shifting desks and boxes for me. He gave us all so much pride when he played and particularly when he captained Derry - he has left a hole in so many people's lives that just cannot be filled. What Ryan achieved - going from D&D football to Derry City to the first team to become captain and then the best defender in this country is a fairytale story and I don't think it will ever happen again. Unfortunately the fairytale didn't have a happy ending on this occasion. Nothing anyone can do will ease the loss but if the people of derry want to honour Ryan then get behind Kenny and the team and whilst it's easy to fill maginn park - honour Ryan by filling the brandywell next year and every year after that - he loved the club, the players and the fans so it is what he would want. In truth, Ryan was a hero to me for how he played the game and all that he achieved and I loved him like he was my own brother. We will in the coming months find a way of honouring him and keeping his name alive. RIP Bunge

Great to see your family getting such great support SHH . Never met Ryan myself but it's clear he was a smashing fella .