A book charting the history of a football club since it switched countries has been written by a weekly newspaper sports editor.

Gary Ferry, of the Derry News, has penned the book on Derry City FC, marking three decades since the club began playing in the League of Ireland.

City’s Brandywell home ground is located in Northern Ireland, but the league covers the Republic of Ireland.

The club was kicked out of the Irish League, which covers Northern Irish clubs, in the early 1970s after a bus carrying visiting supporters from another team was attacked at Brandywell.

Gary Ferry, left, with Derry City manager Kenny Shiels

They returned to senior football in 1985 against clubs from the Republic, hence the book’s name ’30 years 1985-2015 – The Journey So Far’.

It charts stories including the club’s unprecedented ‘treble’ win in 1989, as well as how City came close to going out of business a few years ago due to financial problems.

Gary has covered City for the News for the last 10 years.

Derry News editor Ciaran O’Neill said: “Derry City is a club with a great history.

“The last 30 years, since the club joined the League of Ireland, has had many ups and downs.

“Gary Ferry has covered the club for the Derry News for the past ten years and his book is a great publication for the club’s fans or anyone interested in the recent history of one of the biggest clubs in Ireland.”