Meet the Supporter: Damian Mullan

COLERAINE Chronicle journalist Damian Mullan is the next to be asked a series of questions on his life as a Bannsider…

1. How long have you supported Coleraine?

Too long – but I wouldn’t change it!

2. What’s your first memory?

Vaguely recall going to watch games towards the end of the seventies/start of the eighties, but my clearest and best memory is of the Spurs European game in 1982. I remember being at school in Portstewart and the sense of excitement when we discovered the team was staying at the Edgewater Hotel. Arguably the best team ever to play at the Showgrounds – and the Spurs’ side wasn’t bad either…

3. Any funny stories from your time as a supporter?

The European trip to Gothenberg. Evening before game, visiting team gets opportunity to ‘try out’ pitch. We all arrive on coach, players, management, journos and board of directors. Players go off to change while we loiter about in stadium. Couple of minutes later, officials of the Orgryte IS club approach us looking for the Coleraine directors. We point to the goalmouth where former chairman Sammy Lyle and all are ‘kicking in’ and running around like young boys, dressed in their finest suits! Look on opposing directors’ faces was priceless…

4. Your favourite current player/past player?

Current player, probably ‘OG’ because of his stickability. Has endured plenty of disappointments in his time at the Showgrounds but maintains a positive outlook and always has time for a chat. Would be delighted if he got his hands on some silverware while at the club.

Past player? Hard to choose, but probably Felix Healy.

5. Your favourite away trip?

Got to be the European game against Orgryte IS in Gothenberg in 2000. First time away with club, felt like a proper journo! Enjoyed the city’s hospitality while the players trained the night before the game. Match memorable also for the fact that it was played in the 43,000 seater Ullevi Stadium where Northern Ireland, with Harry Gregg in goals, had played in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. The handful of travelling Bannsiders I recall were located high up in the gods.

6. Your favourite goal?

Jody Tolan’s winner in the 2003 Irish Cup final. Other memorable goals include Stephen Dooley’s strike against Donegal Celtic in the Irish Cup while still a young boy, Rory Patterson’s first in the 6-0 dismantling of Glentoran at the Oval and James McLaughlin’s late winner in last season’s semi-final at Ballymena, even though I had to try and curtail my celebrations as I was ensconced in the press box at Ballymena, in among the Glenavon fans…

7. Any favourite matches?

Irish Cup final win in 2003, Spurs in 1982…the next one.

8. If you could sign any player from another Irish League, who would it be?

Think we’re alright, thanks, but, if pushed, always admired Jamie Mulgrew. Whether he would get a start or not is another question.