COLERAINE FC paid tribute to former player, coach, manager and vice-president Victor Hunter at a special naming ceremony this afternoon…
The back pitch at The Showgrounds has now been named the ‘Victor Hunter Community Pitch’, in tribute to his incredible commitment to both Coleraine FC and youth football in Northern Ireland.
When the pitch was applied for, the former board at the club had agreed to name the facility in honour of Victor’s contribution to the club across nearly five decades.
The new board were more than privileged to carry forward the agreement to recognise a true club legend, who sadly passed away in 2021.
Victor made 472 appearances for the club across 13 seasons and then managed the Bannsiders for three years after taking the reins in 1978.
He also managed the Colts and Reserves teams as he helped to develop the next generation of players, including current Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
Victor became an honorary life Vice-President of the club in 2017 and his legacy and name within the town is now set to live on.
The pitch was officially opened by May Hunter, wife of Victor, and IFA President Colin McKendry in the presence of former players, staff and family this afternoon.
Speaking after the renaming ceremony, Dale Pryde-MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer at Coleraine FC, said: “It was an absolute honour to be involved in the process of naming the pitch. Seeing what it meant to May and Victor’s family was incredible and although I didn’t know Victor personally it was a massive sign of how well regarded he was with the people that attended.
“To hear Tommy McCallion’s speech about Victor was a very touching moment filled with emotion, love and respect for a man that meant so much to both the club and the people he came in contact with.
“I would like to extend my upmost thanks to Vice-President Frankie Moffatt for helping me put together the occasion and without him the day would never have been as successful as it was.
“I’d like to also thank Colin McKendry, the former board of Coleraine FC along with the Hunter family and the former players and staff who were able to attend. It was nothing short of a remarkable occasion for a man that gave so much to the club and football in Northern Ireland.”
