History of Maiden City Soccer

Maiden City Soccer was formed in April 1993 and its mission was to provide a top class coaching programme for the children in the North West area including the City, Waterside and surrounding Counties.

Paul Kee, John Cunningham and Paul McColgan were the people that got the 1^st Summer Fun Week in place with took place at St. Columb’s Park Waterside in July 1990. The Summer Fun Weeks took place over a 5 day period Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm each day. Other venues that summer included Limavady at Roe Mill Playing Fields, Eglinton at Eglinton PS and in South Derry at Magherafelt, Meadowbank Playing Fields.

The schools programmes and after schools programmes began that September. Venues for the after schools included Templemore Sports Complex, St Columb’s Park, Limavady at St. Mary’s High School and Magherafelt.

Schools included Ebrington Primary School, Newbuildings Primary, Drumahoe Primary, St. Oliver Plunkett Primary, Chapel Road Primary and

Following the success of the coaching programmes and with high from players and parent under age teams we’re formed under Institute Football Club. At the time Head of Maiden City Soccer Paul Kee was the manager of Institute FC and he was keen to get a youth scheme for Stute and seen the linking of the community activities at Maiden City as a good option for both organisations. Many players that attended the schools/after schools went onto represent Institute at youyh level including Ruaidhri Higgins, Sam Morrow, Eunan O’Kane, Shane Ferguson to name a few. These players went onto professional clubs

Players that came for the MCS programme and went onto represent Institute FC with great distinction include Graham Crown, Dean Curry, Steven Curry, Dean Carlyle, Graeme Taylor, Mark Kelly and James McClay.

Soon after the success of the player pathway getting stronger and opening up players started to get professional opportunities. Darron Gibson who attended the MCS schools programme at Holy Family PS and the after schools coaching at Templemore Sports Complex. Darron went onto sign for Manchester United. Eunan O’Kane attended St. Canices PS in Feeny and after school at Diamond Centre Claudy went onto sign for Everton FC

As part of player’s improvement player education trips were planned with the aim of social development with the first Soccer Trip took place with a visit to Manchester and attending the Bobby Charlton Soccer School. When in Manchester the group attended the Blackburn Rovers – Manchester City Premier league game at Ewood Park.