News

Mayor formally unveils renamed Danny Rouse Stand at Melvin Arena

25 March 2026

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, has formally unveiled a plaque at the Melvin Arena to mark the official naming of the covered stand at the venue as the Danny Rouse Stand.

The well known and much loved Strabane native enjoyed a glittering career as a soccer player with Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Omagh Town and went onto manage the Mullaghmore side.

He was also a pivotal figure with Strabane Sigersons GAA Club, where he was a Hall of Fame inductee and led the club to a first ever Division Three title during his successful spell as Manager in the 1990s.

Mayor McHugh was joined by family and friends of Mr Rouse, including his wife Eileen and children Danny Junior and Andrea for this week’s ceremony which followed a proposal by Councillor Raymond Barr that received unanimous support to rename the 200-seater stand in his memory.

“The naming of the stand after Danny Rouse is a fitting tribute to a real giant of sport in Strabane,” said Mayor McHugh. “As a soccer player Danny had successful spells with a host of local clubs and earned himself the nickname ‘Bomber’ for his ferocious ball striking ability that led to many spectacular long range goals.

“It is perhaps off the field where he had the biggest impact however, as a coach who had a passion for developing soccer and GAA players so they could fulfil their potential on the field.

“He was a much loved employee of the old Strabane Council, where he had a long service with the Waste and Environmental Services team and is remembered fondly throughout Strabane for his larger than life personality.”

The 200-seater covered spectator stand at the Melvin Arena was built as part of a £1.15 million facility upgrade and officially opened on 27 July 2021.

The project was a joint effort between the Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Irish Football Association to modernize the site for football and athletics.

For more information on Council leisure services and facilities visit www.derrystrabane.com/leisure.