My Bannsiders XI

COLERAINE supporter Carl Laverty was this week tasked to come up with his favourite Bannsiders starting eleven…

This was a lot harder than I expected. Following Coleraine FC now for 25 odd years there have been many a talent, character, formidable player and clown wear the Coleraine shirt. I’ve gone for a mix of class, often with great memories.

Goalkeeper:

Chris Johns

Probably the easiest one to pick. Davy O’Hare despite 500 odd appearances for the Stripes is edged out by Chris’ all round performance, solid, shot stopper, brave and reliable. He is the complete goalkeeper and we’re very glad he’s ours.

Defenders:

Aaron Canning

Aaron edges out Lyndon Kane for me, just for his ability to play across the back four. Aaron’s hard hitting, ball winning, game reading ability is unreal. His return to the club really showed how much we missed him. His passion shines through and up against any opposition player he holds his own.

Paul Gaston

A stalwart Bannsider and a huge part of my following of Coleraine FC. Paul bought a house beside us in the 90’s and I was star struck, he used to take me every week to the games and into the dressing rooms to meet the players. I’d be at The Showgrounds for hours before kick off. A versatile centre-half who lived and breathed all things Coleraine Football Club.

Gareth McAuley

To be honest, I probably never knew how good Gareth McAuley was then as he was solid and rarely lost a header. His notable performance was apparently the Irish Cup final win in 2003 – which I missed.

Robbie Brunton

Robbie was probably one of the my earliest memories of excitement at Coleraine of signing a “superstar in the making” – a good, hard tackling, left back with pace who chipped in with the odd goal here and there.

Midfielders:

Greg O’Dowd

Greg always had that little bit of magic at the right times, he scored the odd special goal, always remember his lob at Ballymena for a win.

Pat McAllister

Pat was our Roy Keane. Hard as nails, battler, passion and wasn’t afraid to tell players to pull their fingers out. Scored some bullet headers. Too many cards, his 10 game suspension probably cost us the league, but I’d have him in my team.

Brad Lyons

Brad was Mr Coleraine for me. He was the beating heart of the side. Hard tackler, fast, brave and fitness levels through the roof, he is the modern day midfielder whose work rate was never matched by anyone.

Stephen Carson

Carsie was probably one of the most talented players on his day in a Coleraine shirt that I have seen. Pace, skill and more step overs than Cristiano Ronaldo he always beat his man. Having gained the Northern Ireland cap against Italy, whilst being a Coleraine player, says it all about him.

Strikers:

Rory Patterson

Without doubt the most complete striker I’ve seen at Coleraine. Single-handedly won us games. The standout game at home to Ballymena when he scored a hat-trick out of nothing. David Healy style goal scorer.

Sammy Shiels

Sammy’s selection will probably raise a few eye brows amongst the faithful but for me he gave us one particular season were he was unreal, albeit in the Championship. I think he scored several hat tricks and a bag full of braces that season. “Sammy Crystal Ball” the pundits called him. I think between him and Gorman they had over 50 goals, we don’t get many striking partners like that, and probably only Rory Patterson and Darren Boyce achieved that.

Credible Mentions:

Davy O’Hare
Lyndon Kane
Ciaron Harkin
Ricky Wade