CURTIS Allen scored 60 times across two different spells at The Showgrounds – but who makes his all-time Coleraine XI…

The striker initially joined the Bannsiders in the summer of 2011 and hit an incredible 45 goals across two seasons, which alerted the services of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

After a spell with Glentoran, he returned to Coleraine in January 2020 and was a used substitute in the BetMcLean League Cup final success in February 2020 and appeared in European competition for the Bannsiders in 2020/21 and 21/22.

Allen, who has recently retired from the game, remains a popular figure amongst the fanbase on the Ballycastle Road and he provided us with his Coleraine XI from his two stints at the club.

CURTIS’ COLERAINE XI

GK: Michael Doherty

Michael played with me during my first stint at the club and he was a very good goalkeeper. He could kick it an absolute mile which suited us on the old grass pitch. He was always a good laugh in the changing room and the fact he has remained at the club so long speaks volumes.

RB: Lyndon Kane

I remember playing against Lyndon on his debut for Coleraine whilst I was at Glentoran. He has came on so much since then as he keeps on producing year in and year out in different positions, which is a sign of a good player. He is another example of someone who is very good in the changing room.

CB: Stephen O’Donnell

Him and big Gareth McConaghie were absolutely horrible to play on the pitch – but you couldn’t ask for two nicer lads off it. He played for the club for quite a number of years and lifted the Irish Cup. He’s still someone I’m in regular contact with.

CB: David Ogilby

An absolute mountain of a man and he was as strong as an ox. We would often argue over who would hit close-range free-kicks! An absolute lovely fella but a leader on the pitch.

LB: Johnny Black

Johnny just sneaks in ahead of Aaron Traynor for the left-back slot. We travelled together and he was a great character. He scored some big goals and quite a lot of people remember the late one against Cliftonville in the League Cup. He was brilliant going forward and could defend at the other end.

RM: David Scullion

I think he was one of the most under-rated players throughout the Irish League. We grew close during our time at Coleraine and then Glentoran. He was technically good and weighed in with 5 to 10 goals a season and probably provided the same numbers in terms of assists.

CM: Michael Hegarty

‘Hegs’ had the know-how in games and knew the league. His experience was vital as we had a young group at the time. Another great character and he had a bit of Roy Keane-esque about him in terms of he just got about his business.

CM: Stephen Lowry

The crab! Fantastic player and person. He has managed to keep to the same high levels throughout his career no matter which club he’s at. He’s always had a winning mentality and it was great to win the League Cup together.

LM: Ryan McIlmoyle

Another player who I thought was highly under-rated. Ryan was a great player and what I loved about him was that he would glide past players and cross the ball into the box. As a striker, you can’t ask for much more than that.

FW: Matthew Shevlin

It is never easy to score goals but ‘Shevy’ has now done that consistently. He has worked hard at his game and nobody can deny that he doesn’t work hard off the ball. I know he won’t mind me saying this but he has come on leaps and bounds and to keep producing the goods – when the pressure is on – over and over again isn’t easy. Matthew gives you a laugh and I tried to put my arm around him during his early time at the club. I’m really glad to see him pick up all the awards.

FW: Curtis Allen

Obviously I had a couple of stints and the first was probably to take one step back to go two forward. Whenever I spoke to Oran the first time, I wasn’t overly keen on joining and then signed the same day, It worked a treat as I scored the goals which helped Coleraine and also earn me a move over the water. I fell in love with the club and I’ve always had a soft spot for them as they were brilliant for me and my family. I still love going back to The Showgrounds and I was delighted to return as a player for the second time and get my hands on the League Cup.

Notable mentions: Ian Parkhill, Gareth Tommons, Howard Beverland, Lee Colligan, Eoin Bradley, Josh Carson, Aaron Traynor, Patrick Kelly.