Colour photograph of ex-Scotland footballer Johnny MacKenzie (1925-2017), Caoles, with his wife Betty and two Derry City supporters at a friendly game with Barcelona in the Brandywell on 12th August 2003.
“Johnny was a hero to all Derry City supporters. He joined the club in 1964 and, with his great help, we won the IFA cup and the League the following year. When we played Barcelona in a friendly game in 2003 (Ronaldinho the world’s most expensive player at the time played that night), Johhny and Betty were invited over from Scotland as our guests. But the biggest reception was for Johnny was as he came on the pitch at half time to a rapturous reception from our supporters. Johnny and his wife Betty were guests of honour at the game and also at the banquet the night before. Having played for Derry City, Johnny once said, “I wish I could turn the clock back to those days. Derry was a second home to me.” “ David Doherty, 12 July 2017