WHEN it comes to collecting football memorabilia – or to be precise Coleraine FC memorabilia – few can match Philip McIntyre…
By: Michael Anderson
Philip’s late father James initially brought him along to matches as a youngster but it has been in later life that his passion for the club has really grown.
“I remember growing up in Harpur’s Hill and my uncle Billy Hargan paying at the old turnstiles,” he said.
“Then he would have nipped around to the back wall where dad passed us kids over!
“Dad loved football, but he never played that much. One time in a game up at Reid’s bakery where he worked he lost all his teeth and that was that.
“He went to many home games over the years.”
Something of a fan from a distance previously, Philip decided it would be nice to go along and spend what turned out to be precious, quality time watching Coleraine FC…and since then he has been hooked.
That was the beginning of his interest in collecting anything and everything to do with the Bannsiders.
“We went to the Irish cup final as a family in 2018, beating Cliftonville 3-1,” Philip, known as ‘Mackie’, added. “That was special with all my family.”
Wife Michelle still comes along to games at times.
“I haven’t missed a game in years,” he continued.
“I started mainly collecting programmes and tickets, a few old cigarette cards and other bits after the Irish Cup win.
“Then I remembered there was stuff Dad had. I got it down from the attic and I was hooked.
“Hunter McClelland kindly gave me his collection, as did a few of the older gentlemen from the Garvagh and Kilrea Supporters’ Club, including the late Jim McIntyre.
“There is a Northern Ireland Programmes Society. I’m friendly with a few of the members and especially before any of the programme fairs, I usually get a call to check out most of the Coleraine FC stuff.
“I’ve Coleraine’s own home programmes from the 70’s, then the Bann Fan, Bannsider, and Blue & White Forever. I’m only missing a few.
“Vintage stuff excites me like the 40’s and 50’s programmes.
“Looking up old players is great and finding a photo card like Priestley, etc and an odd story.
“Prices vary with programmes, but they’re never too bad. Mind you I’m not going to say how much I’ve spent over the years!”
Amongst the rarer items in the collection is the fully signed ball from the 1975 Irish Cup win and a Belfast Celtic (The Celt) 1928 programme – but the search for new items goes on for Philip.
“I also got Grant Cameron’s book and Hunter McClelland’s version and got it signed by a lot of the old players,” he stated.
“In memory of my late father James and our love for the club, I will continue to keep collecting my little bits of history to preserve our past.
“Most people know me from the games so if anyone has anything they think would be of interest come up and see me.”