OUR 2025/26 season review starts last summer as Ruaidhri Higgins began to make changes to his playing squad at The Showgrounds…
The Bannsiders announced the departures of Rory Brown, Kyle Spence and Paddy Burns, with Kyle McClelland’s loan deal also coming to an end.
During the summer, Jack Scott and Corey Smith exited on short-term loans to Carrick Rangers and Glenavon respectively. Meanwhile, Rhyss Campbell joined Cliftonville and talented midfielder Matthew Burns joined Sunderland.
The club also made the decision to give youth players the chance to gain experience as Aidan Tejada (Institute), Alfie Gaston (Limavady United) and Senan Devine (H&W Welders) all agreed loan moves.
There would be incomings on the Ballycastle Road as Kodi Lyons-Foster joined following the expiry of his contract at Glentoran, with the defender being joined by Linfield pair Stephen Fallon and Joel Cooper.
Joel Cooper was announced as a Coleraine player following the expiry of his contract at Linfield.
Higgins’ side also announced the permanent signing of Connor Murray, who was quickly joined by Will Patching (loan), Adam Long, Lewis McGregor and Ryan Schofield. The club was also boosted by the news that Dylan Boyle agreed terms on a new contract and Charles Dunne extending his stay.
Meanwhile, there would also be additions to the backroom staff as Kevin Deery and Michael Dougherty joined as assistant coach and head of goalkeeping respectively.
Kevin Deery joined the club as an assistant coach.
Pre-season fixtures started with a 3-0 success against H&W Welders as an own goal was added to efforts from Declan McManus and Tiernan Brolly. That was then backed up with a 6-2 win against Institute as Joel Cooper (2), Declan McManus, Jamie McGonigle and Sam McClintock were amongst the goals.
Coleraine then saw off fellow Premiership side Glenavon next as early goals from Lewis McGregor, Kodi Lyons-Foster and Joel Cooper put the Stripes in the ascendancy with just 14 minutes played. The scoring was complete on 53 minutes when Jamie Glackin slammed home amid a sea of bodies.
Coleraine played out an entertaining 4-2 pre-season victory against Limavady United.
After Coleraine won a 4-2 thriller at Limavady which saw Jamie Glackin, Declan McManus (2) and Will Patching amongst the goals, the final pre-season game in July saw the Bannsiders cross the Irish Sea to lock horns against Fleetwood Town. A noisy travelling support made their way to Highbury Stadium as Coleraine battled to a 2-1 defeat, with Will Patching scoring a delightful free-kick.