RORY PATTERSON HAS announced his departure from Derry City.
The 30-year-old striker, who has been with the Candystripes since joining from Plymouth Argyle in 2012, scored 61 goals in 92 appearances — including two in the 2012 FAI Cup final win over St Patrick’s Athletic.
Capped five times at international level for Northern Ireland, Patterson was recently put on the transfer list as the club look to cut their wage bill. However, he has decided to part company with the Foylesiders instead of heading into a pre-season of uncertainty.
“Thought I would get this out before the journos made their own take on things,” Patterson said in a statement released on Twitter. “I’ve just come to an agreement to cancel my contract.
“Due to the situation the club finds itself in, I felt it was in my own and the club’s best interest that I ended things as I didn’t want to be going into a new pre-season not knowing where I’d finish it.
And after all the speculation over the past few months of where I’ll be playing, almost all of which were lies, I can now sit back in peace and decide for myself what to do next.
“I would like to thank Sean Barrett for all he has done for me in the past three years. I’d also like to thanks Pearce Lafferety and Mickey Hegarty as well. I’ve met some good lads along the way — they know who they are.
“And lastly for those who suppoerted me through the good and bad times, you also know who you are. Really appreciate it.”
A short statement on the club’s official site read: “Derry City FC would like to thank Rory Patterson for his commitment and service during his time with the club. As a club we would also like to wish him well in his future whatever he decides to do.”
I really can’t wait to see them bring a great brand of rugby to the league again.
He’s an innovative coach with exceptional people skills & Connacht are lucky to have him.
Hope it produces results on the field.
On their day Connacht are one of the better Irish teams to watch. Good that they have a squad of 44 to call upon this year. If they could get back that spark of 2016 that would be tremendous.
They are doing well under Friend and the Connacht coaching staff.