A STAND at the Brandywell stadium in Derry is to be named after former striker Mark Farren who died from cancer earlier this month.
Derry City and Strabane District Council last night voted to name a stand at the new stadium after the former striker, who died on February 3 aged 33.
The former Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Player of the Year had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The motion was brought forward by Sinn Fein Mayor Elisha McCallion who said that the honour was a reflection of the community's wishes.
“In memory of Mark and reflecting the widely held view in the community we propose that the new stand in the Brandywell redevelopment be named `The Mark Farren’ Stand,” she told a full council meeting at Derry's Guildhall.
Mark lost his long and courageous battle with cancer earlier this month.
He had been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour for the first time in 2008.
He battled back to health and back onto the pitch, becoming the club's highest goal scorer in 2012 and going on to sign for Glenavon.
However, the cancer returned in 2015 sparking a huge fundraising drive in his home city to help pay for treatment in Germany and more recently in Mexico.
He leaves behind his wife Terri-Louise and is buried alongside their baby triplets in Ballybrack in Greencastle, Donegal.
The new stand is part of the redevelopment of the Brandywell Stadium and is expected to be completed in 2017.
