Derry City were a spent force less than two months ago, when were threatened with a winding up order - but now they look safe after Manchester United agreed to follow in the footsteps of Celtic and play a friendly at the Brandywell.

The game has been arranged for Monday, November 13, and is sure to be just as successful as the Celtic one that preceded it. A full house of 8,000 fans turned out to see the Candystripes against Celtic - netting Derry a massive £70,000.

Another night like that would have the club in clover, which is no more than they deserve.

To play in the Eircom League as the only Northern based team is a strain in itself but the cost of travelling the length and breadth of Ireland for away games has put a serious financial strain on Derry.

The lack of major success has seen their fan base drop - but after all the recent publicity this should grow again and the city will once more be behind the club.

Manchester United may be a money-grabbing PLC, but this moves proves that there is some heart left in the club. Nobel Prize winner John Hume was instrumental in getting United to agree to play the game at such short notice.

The famous politician personally wrote to United boss Alex Ferguson asking him to help Derry in their time of need and the letter did the trick as United came up trumps.

"We are delight that United have agreed to play us at such short notice," was the reaction of Derry spokesman Jim Roddy.