Donegal Derry Vipers, a prominent American football team, has finally found a new permanent home in County Derry after years of struggling to secure a suitable venue. The team was forced to leave their original location in Drumahoe due to severe flooding six years ago, which made it challenging for them to find a stable base ever since. They have played games at various venues, including Letterkenny, Limavady Rugby Club, Lisnagelvin, and Prehen Playing Fields. However, their quest for a long-term solution has come to an end as they have now secured a 10-year lease for a disused soccer pitch near the Vale Centre in Greysteel.
The chairman of the Vipers, Mark Gillen, expressed his joy over the news during an interview on BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today program. He shared that their hope is to secure all the necessary funding and grants to develop a purpose-built pitch at their new home. The team had previously trained at the Vale Centre, and Gillen expressed his excitement about the site becoming their permanent training and game venue. He also highlighted the Vipers’ vision to promote American football in the north-west region and their confidence in embarking on this new adventure.
The Vipers, who have three teams, are now planning a visit to the new site to assess what needs to be fixed. They are already working on securing funding and grants to support their endeavor. The positive news of finding a permanent home has also brought former players back into the mix, further enhancing the team’s prospects.
In conclusion, the Donegal Derry Vipers American football team, after years of searching for a suitable home following flooding that displaced them from their original location, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Securing a 10-year lease for a disused soccer pitch near the Vale Centre in Greysteel marks a significant milestone for the team. With plans to secure funding for a purpose-built pitch, the Vipers are excited about promoting American football in the north-west and embarking on this new chapter.
