Derry City Council is expected this week to give the go ahead for a either a Premier Club Division or Elite National Team Division match from this year’s Dale Farm Cup (former Milk Cup) to be played at Brandywell.
David Beckham captained Manchester United to Milk Cup success in 1991.
It could mean young stars from clubs such as Manchester United or Liverpool appearing at the Derry stadium.
The Red Devils, along with the Merseyside club and other top English Premership sides, are regular competitors in the annual competition.
In previous years, superstars such as David Beckham as well a host of the world’s would-be stars have taken part.
Originally, Derry City Council had agreed to provide £7,500 for two group matches and a semi-final to be staged at Institute’s Riverside Stadium in Drumahoe.
Within the approval, members of the Council’s Development Committee requested clarification on what age/competition category semi-final would be awarded and was there an option to host the named semi-final in the Brandywell instead of Drumahoe. Drumahoe.
Following discussions with the tournament organisers, Council officers secured confirmation the proposed semi-final match would be played at Brandywell.
However, it emerged the higher profile category semi-finals had been allocated to other grounds in the North West region and as an alternative to a lower profile category semi-final – with no way of predicting the teams playing – the organisers offered a high profile group match from either the Premier Division or the Elite Division featuring invited national teams – an option which would provide a guaranteed high profile match at Brandywell.
As teams cannot be publicised at this stage – as the competition draw will not be made until nearer to the tournament start date in July – a Premier or Elite category game is guaranteed to provide a high profile spectator attraction and is viewed a more secure option for Derry City Council.
With the financial cost to the Council remaining unchanged at £7,500 as previously approved, Development Committee members are expected to choose the revised match schedule to host two group stage matches at the Institute Stadium, Drumahoe and either Premier Club Division or Elite National Team Division match at Brandywell when they meet this Tuesday.
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