Lyndon dedicates Slovenian success to Dad

SEVEN days on from a memorable night in Maribor, defender Lyndon Kane has dedicated the historic win to his father who unfortunately missed out on the Bannsiders’ heroics in Slovenia as he recovers from an operation…

By: Aaron O’Neill

Lyndon’s father Mark sits on the Board of Directors at Coleraine Football Club and was due to be in the club’s travelling party for the trip to Central Europe. However, some recent health problems meant that Mark had to sit the game out – much to his dismay.

Thankfully though, son Lyndon and his Coleraine teammates produced performances any father would be proud of at Stadion Ljudski vrt last week to ensure Coleraine progressed safely to the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

In fact, the 23-year-old was also on the score sheet for the Bannsiders during a narrow, nail-biting penalty shootout win to set up a tie with Scottish giants Motherwell at The Showgrounds in two weeks’ time.

Reflecting on a truly remarkable trip, Lyndon says that he was “delighted” to get the win for his father and is hoping the pair can share many happy memories at the Ballycastle Road in the near future.

“It was a massive night for the club and obviously it would have been brilliant to share it with my dad but I know he was with us in spirit,” Lyndon told colerainefc.com

“My dad came on to the board recently and there is nobody who loves Coleraine more than I do but my dad is as big of a fan as me.

“It is in the family and when he was asked to become a Director there was only going to be one outcome.

“He was disappointed that he was unable to go but at the minute his health is more important but I kept in touch with him as much as possible.

“It annoyed him and hurt him not being able to be there but I’m just delighted I could help us get over the line for him.

“When we were away I was phoning him or Bryan McNeill who is his close friend so he was kept well up to date which kept his spirits up,” he added.

Having made almost 150 appearances for the Stripes, Lyndon is one of the more experienced members of Oran Kearney’s squad despite his tender years and admits that his family – and in particular his father – has been a massive influence on his playing days to date.

“After the match, I FaceTimed dad straight away to let him see what was going on but it was mad and I couldn’t hear him so I waited until I was out doing a cool down with James McLaughlin before I called him back,” Lyndon explains.

“He was over the moon and so proud of me because we have both supported this club all our lives.

“My mum and sister watched the game with him at home and I would say they were all up to high doe.

“Dad has gone above and beyond for me to the point where he even gave up coaching football himself to focus in on my career a little bit more.

“I can’t put into words how much my whole family has spurred me on but it was dad who took me all around the country to allow me to get where I am today and I owe him everything,” admits the 23-year-old.

Kane and his Coleraine teammates can dare to dream once again when they face Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell in three weeks’ time and he is hoping that his dad may be able to make an appearance at the game.

“It will be a slow recovery process for him but he is making good progress each day which helps,” Lyndon continues.

“My dad was there when I made my debut for the club and it would be nice for him to be at the Motherwell match.

“We have shelved the success of Maribor and had our celebrations so we won’t get ahead of our station.

“We know we are massive underdogs going into the game and we’ll have to graft hard and put in a similar performance as we did in Slovenia if we are to progress.”