DERRY City’s new arrival Jacob Davenport admits his close friend Will Patching played a major role in him making the switch to Foyleside.
The left-footed midfielder played alongside Patching and fellow Brandywell favourite Sadou Diallo at Manchester City academy and the 25-year-old felt a move to the Maiden city was right for him.
“I spoke to Patch quite a few times over the years really, just seeing how he was, keeping in touch with him, but then especially the last few weeks and getting more information about the club and the league,” explained Davenport.
“Patch just had good things to say, he’s loved it here, he’s enjoying his football and that’s the main thing, just enjoying your football.
“The move happened so quickly, but I’m starting to settle in well.
“The team have been very good with me, you can see straight away it’s a good changing room.
“I need to get my car back from England, so it’s a bit of back and forth, but once I come back, I think I’ll be settled in very well.”
The Englishman, who left City to join Championship side Blackburn Rovers in 2018, concedes him and Patching will be fighting to take the free-kicks, but he really just can’t wait to get going, especially after watching Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side in action at Crusaders last Saturday.
“Yeah, so for other age groups we always hit the free-kicks, he was mainly on the right side, I was on the left, obviously he’s scored quite a few, he’s very good at them,” admitted Davenport.
“It’s something we always practised growing up, so it’s good to have him in the locker.
“I can see the team, even from the friendly the other day, what Will and Sadou have said, the team like to play football, and that suits me down to a tee.
“I’ve not really had that in the last few years since I’ve left City’s academy. The style of play has not really suited my game, but I can see straight away this team will suit my style of play, so it’s exciting.”
As for Higgins he was delighted to add another midfielder to his squad and hopes Davenport can get his fitness levels up over the next few weeks and make himself available for the trip to Sligo Rovers.
“We’re delighted that it happened so quickly,” stated the Derry gaffer.
“He’s not available obviously until the Sligo game, so it gives us a bit of time to get a mini pre-season, if you want to call it that, into him over the next week or two and get him ready; an extremely talented player, left-footed centre midfield player. They’re hard to come by and he will give the team real balance.
“If you look at his pedigree and history for a young man, he’s experienced an awful lot. I remember chatting to him a few days ago and he was saying that the whole way through, underage at Man City, it was a midfield three of Davenport, Diallo and Patching, the whole way through, so they are all the same age.
“I would imagine that they never ever thought that the three of them would end up at Derry City together, but it’s amazing how things work out and I’m delighted to bring him to the club.
“Equally, Jacob’s happy to be here as well, and we’re coming into a really exciting part of the season where he’s going to be an important player for us.”
The Limavady man also joked that agent Patching is looking for a promotion.
“Patch thinks he deserves a dual role as director of football as well,” laughed Higgins.
“Obviously it’s great having that connection. I think when lads like Jacob see that Will and Sadou are enjoying it here; I’m not sure if we get them if the other two lads aren’t here because of their experience and the enjoyment that they’ve had here, I think that’s probably played a huge part in bringing them here.”
