Special Guests

COLERAINE FC is pleased to announce that two special guests will be at The Showgrounds this evening…

Dermot Doherty and Billy McVicker will return to the Ballycastle Road for the game against Ballymena United.

The two gentlemen are guests of Honorary Vice President, Frankie Moffatt, who gave a glowing reference for the pair.

DERMOT DOHERTY

Dermot will need no introduction to the fans of both clubs tonight as he represented both with great distinction.

Dermot was one of a group of young players brought through the youth ranks and into the first team under the tutelage of Drew Cook and Jim Platt. He had a left foot to die for and skill to burn as a left sided midfielder.

He represented Coleraine many times including an appearance in the UEFA Cup against Dundee when only a teenager. On leaving Coleraine, he joined Ballymena where he has the distinction of earning an Irish Cup winner’s medal scoring the winner in the semi final in the process.

Dermot went onto play for a number of junior clubs locally sharing his great knowledge and sense of fun.

BILLY MCVICKER

Billy, like Dermot, was a player of outstanding talent and one who many would say did not fulfil his true potential.

Again promoted into the first team as a teenager by Jim Platt he represented the club a number of times with great distinction. In my opinion Billy was one of the best exponents of the “sweeper” role that I have seen locally demonstrating his great ability to read the game and to bring the ball out from the back with great composure.

However, he could also defend when called upon and was ferocious in the tackle. Again, like Dermot, Billy went onto represent a number of junior teams in the area giving great service to all.

I was fortunate enough to manage both these lads and take great pleasure in asking you to join me in welcoming them back to The Showgrounds this evening.