Coleraine F.C.

History

The original Coleraine Football Club was founded in June 1927 originally called Coleraine FC at a meeting in the local Orange hall. The club was formed out of a merger between two local sides: Coleraine Olympic and Coleraine Alexandra with John McCandless being one of the founders and original player / manager for the club. The original club colours were all white, hence the club's original nickname – the Lilywhites. The club secured its first trophy in the 1931–32 season, defeating Ballymena United 3–0 at Solitude to win the Gold Cup.

In 1948, Coleraine reached its first Irish Cup final, going down 3–0 to Linfield. 1953 brought another appearance in the final and another defeat, again to Linfield, this time by five goals to nil. The 1950s saw the City Cup won for the first time (1953–54) and a second triumph in the Gold Cup (1958).

In 1961, chairman Jack Doherty persuaded Bertie Peacock to sign for Coleraine after he left Celtic. It would prove to be one of the most important transfers in the club's history. In 1965, Coleraine won the Irish Cup for the first time, defeating Glenavon 2–1 at Windsor Park, with goals from Shaun Dunlop and Derek Irwin. Coleraine thus gained its first experience of European football, against Soviet outfit Dynamo Kiev, becoming the first football club from the United Kingdom to play behind the Iron Curtain. Coleraine also won the first two Blaxnit all-Ireland cups in 1969 and 1970. Coleraine faced Kilmarnock in the 1970 Fairs Cup, and after a 1–1 draw in the first leg, the Bannsiders pulled off an historic 3–2 victory thanks to a Des Dickson hat-trick.

In 1972, the Irish Cup was won again, this time by beating Portadown 2–1, with goals from Des Dickson and Ivan Murray. The Holy Grail of the Gibson Cup was finally captured in 1974. Under the management of Bertie Peacock, the squad consisting of the likes of Des Dickson, Johnny McCurdy, Ivan Murray, Michael Guy and Vince Magee clinched the title ahead of Portadown. Bertie Peacock resigned in 1974 and Ivan Murray and Johnny McCurdy took over the reins. Murray continued as manager until 1978 and during his spell in charge the Irish Cup was won twice more – both times against Linfield. In 1975, it took three games before a goal from Jim "Chang" Smith in the second replay proved decisive. The 1977 victory was more emphatic with Liam Beckett, Des Dickson, Frankie Moffatt and Michael Guy scoring to give Coleraine a 4–1 victory. It was to be the club's last major trophy for 26 years.

European record

UEFA ranking

As of 25 April 2023

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

On Loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Non-playing staff

Source:

President: Hugh Wade

Honorary Vice President: Frankie Moffatt, Hunter McClelland, Nevin Oliver

Executive Chairman: Henry Ross

Board of Directors:Rob Helle, Niall McGill, Henry Ross, Chris Fillis

Club Secretary: Paul Vance

Sporting Director: vacant

Assistant Head Coach: vacant

Head of Goalkeeping: Michael Doherty

Head of Medical: George Dennison

Head of Performance: Junior Mendes

Club Doctor: Dr Peter Reid

Kit Man: Ricky Purcell

Physiotherapists: Alan Millar & Ciaran Ferris

Senior Academy Director: Ollie Mullan

Junior Academy Director: David Platt

Women's Manager: Gareth Scott

Managerial history

Dean Shiels (1 Jun 2024 – 30 Apr 2025)

Oran Kearney (2nd Spell) (3 Jul 2019 – 1 Jun 2024)

Rodney McAree (14 Sep 2018 – 10 May 2019)

Oran Kearney (8 Feb 2011 – 6 Sep 2018)

Aidy McLaughlin (interim) (30 Jan 2011 – 5 Feb 2011)

David Platt (27 Jun 2008 – 1 Feb 2011)

Marty Quinn (6 Nov 1999 – 3 May 2008)

Tony Curley/Wes Lamont (interim) (23 Oct 1999 – 30 Oct 1999)

Kenny Shiels (26 Dec 1994 – 16 Oct 1999)

Felix Healy (9 Oct 1993 – 3 Dec 1994)

Tony Curley (interim) (10 Dec 1994 – 17 Dec 1994)

Billy Silnclair (5 Dec 1992 – 2 Oct 1993)

David Keery (interim) (31 Oct 1992 – 28 Nov 1992)

Colin O'Neill (27 Jul 1992 – 24 Oct 1992)

Victor Hunter (interim) (18 Feb 1992/ – 25 Apr 1992)

Iam McFaul (17 Aug 1990 – 23 Jan 1992)

Frankie Moffatt (interim) (14 Apr 1990 – 28 Apr 1990)

Jim Platt (18 Aug 1984 – 6 Apr 1990)

Tony Curley (15 Jan 1983 – 24 Apr 1984)

Honours

Senior honours

Irish League: 1

1973–74

Irish Cup: 7

1964–65, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1976–77, 2002–03, 2017–18, 2025–26

Northern Ireland Football League Cup: 2

1987–88, 2019–20

City Cup: 2

1953–54, 1968–69

Gold Cup: 4

1931–32, 1958–59, 1969–70, 1975–76

Ulster Cup: 8

1965–66, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1996–97

Top Four Cup

1968–69

North West Senior Cup: 23

1952–53†, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1957–58 (shared), 1958–59, 1960–61, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1991–92, 1994–95, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2024-25

Irish League First Division: 1

1995–96

Blaxnit Cup: 2

1968–69, 1969–70

Irish News Cup: 1

1995–96

† Won by Coleraine Reserves

Intermediate honours

Irish Intermediate Cup: 2

1964–65†, 1968–69†

George Wilson Cup: 4

1954–55†, 1985–86†, 1991–92†, 1995–96†

Craig Memorial Cup: 3

1984–85†, 1986–87†, 2013–14†

NIFL Premiership Development League: 1

2023-24†

† Won by Coleraine Reserves

Allegations of sectarianism

The club has long been associated with the Protestant / loyalist side of the community and in 2024 the club was reported to the IFA league for playing sectarian songs in their social club. An investigation suggested fans were also chanting anti-Catholic slogans.

In 2022 it was reported that Coleraine supporters had teamed up with an English football hooligan firm to provoke violence ahead of a game against the predominantly Catholic supporters of Cliftonville club.