Johns Departs

COLERAINE FC can confirm that Chris Johns has left the club to join Linfield following the expiry of his contract…

The shot stopper was signed from Bangor in January 2016 and went on to make a total of 195 appearances for the club, making 68 clean sheets in the process.

The 25-year-old helped the Bannsiders to Irish Cup and League Cup successes during his time on the Ballycastle Road, as well as featuring in the Europa League on three occasions.

Chris’ superb performances between the sticks saw him being nominated for the Ulster Footballer of the Year award in 2017/18 and he was named in the NIFWA Team of the Season in that same campaign.

Speaking to colerainefc.com, boss Oran Kearney insists the club done everything they could to convince the former Southampton trainee to remain at The Showgrounds.

“We didn’t want to lose Chris and we wanted him to stay,” he said.

“In lifestyle terms with Chris living close to Windsor Park and just finishing his studies, as well as wanting to train full-time, it made a hard sell for us.

“He leaves us on great terms and he will be the first to admit that he owes the club for nurturing his development, but in the same stretch, we were blessed to have a solid number one who was ever present for four-and-a-half years.

“He will be severely missed and big boots to fill.”

Coleraine FC would like to thank Chris for his services to the club and wishes him well for the future.