Jobby Crossan’s former sports shop in Pennyburn is set to be converted into an expanded Chinese restaurant under new planning proposals. The Northern Ireland football legend captained Manchester City 94 times, played for Sunderland, Standard Liège, and Middlesbrough, and earned 24 international caps, scoring 10 goals. Crossan also shared the pitch with greats such as George Best, Eusébio, and Pelé during a career that began at Derry Cityplaceholder image
Jobby Crossan’s former sports shop in Pennyburn is set to be converted into an expanded Chinese restaurant under new planning proposals. The Northern Ireland football legend captained Manchester City 94 times, played for Sunderland, Standard Liège, and Middlesbrough, and earned 24 international caps, scoring 10 goals. Crossan also shared the pitch with greats such as George Best, Eusébio, and Pelé during a career that began at Derry City
After serving the football community for 50 years, Jobby Crossan’s former sports shop in Pennyburn is set to be converted into an expanded Chinese restaurant under new planning proposals
The premises that were once home to Jobby’s Sports Centre, a cornerstone of the Londonderry football community for more than 50 years, is set to be transformed into a Chinese takeaway.
The beloved sports and trophy shop, run for decades by Northern Ireland football legend John “Jobby” Crossan, closed its doors last year.
Now, plans have been submitted to Derry City & Strabane District Council seeking a change of use to expand the neighbouring China Kitchen on Messines Terrace. The application, lodged by restaurant proprietor Jinxing Ke, outlines the “retention and completion of change of use from shop (class A1) to takeaway (sui generis)” and was drawn up by Kristian Mitchell Architects.
The legendary Jobby's Sports Centre in Pennyburnplaceholder image
The legendary Jobby's Sports Centre in Pennyburn
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For over half a century, Jobby’s Sports Centre was a fixture in the local football scene, supplying generations of young players with trophies, boots, balls, and shin-pads.
John “Jobby” Crossan, born on Hamilton Street in 1938, enjoyed a distinguished football career. He captained Manchester City 94 times, played for Sunderland, Standard Liege, and Middlesbrough, and earned 24 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring 10 goals. Crossan also shared the pitch with football greats including George Best, Eusébio, and Pelé during a career that began at Derry City.
While the closure of Jobby’s Sports Centre marks the end of an era for local football enthusiasts, the new proposal signals a fresh chapter for the historic premises, now poised to serve the community in a deliciously different way.