Team of the Decade

Team of the Decade

colerainefc.com can reveal the names of the players who have made the Bannsiders’ Team of the Decade…

The last ten years would see the Stripes enjoying the highs of Irish Cup success and a return to European football, with the lows of heartache defeats in cup competitions and losing nine successive games.

Oran Kearney would take the reins in February 2011 from Davy Platt and would manage the club right through to September 2018. However, after narrowly missing out on the Gibson Cup and securing trophy success for the first time in 15 years, a move to full-time football in Scotland would materialise with St. Mirren. His replacement was Rodney McAree who would spend nine months in the role but parted company with the club after a single season, before Kearney returned for a second spell in July 2019 after miraculously keeping the Buddies in the top flight of Scottish football.

Supporters were encouraged to vote on Twitter for their choice of player in every position and here are the results.

CHRIS JOHNS

Every team needs a reliable goalkeeper and you will not get much more dependable than Chris. The shot stopper was signed in January 2016 following a spell with Bangor and he has gone on to make over 180 appearances during his time at The Showgrounds. A firm fans’ favourite, Chris’ superb performances between the sticks saw him being nominated for the Ulster Footballer of the Year award in 2017-18 after helping guide the Stripes to Irish Cup glory. The only thing missing from his CV? A goal in Coleraine colours – no pressure, Chris!

LYNDON KANE

Lyndon was chosen ahead of the likes of Aaron Canning, Adam Mullan and John Watt which shows how much of an impact he has made at The Showgrounds. A lifelong Coleraine fan, Lyndon would make his league debut against Glentoran in October 2014 and he has made over 100 appearances in blue and white. It would be far more had he not suffered back-to-back metatarsal injuries which forced him to miss the 2018 Irish Cup final and appearances in the Europa League, but his determination has been rewarded this season as he has captained his local club in the absence of Stephen O’Donnell.

HOWARD BEVERLAND

Howard would make his first-team debut under Marty Quinn at the age of 17 after making his way through from the Reserves. After featuring under Davy Platt and Oran Kearney, the Ballymoney born defender would be given the captain’s armband and would go on to make 319 appearances. Beverland – who helped Northern Ireland Elite Milk Cup team make history, winning it back-to-back – would depart for Crusaders at the end of the 2015-16 season, ending a 10-year association with the Bannsiders. Howard narrowly defeated Stephen O’Donnell to clinch a spot in central defence.

DAVID OGILBY

The big central defender was signed by Davy Platt in August 2010 amid interest from Glentoran and he would spend eight years on the Ballycastle Road. ‘OG’ would go on to make 233 appearances for the club and score 18 goals in the process. After starting in the 2017 Irish Cup final defeat to Linfield, his loyalty would be rewarded 12 months later as he was a part of the squad who earned Coleraine their first trophy in 15 years. The Londonderry/Derry native would sign for junior side Lisahally after departing but still attends games when he can.

AARON TRAYNOR

The left-back spot was a close competition between Johnny Black and Aaron Traynor, but it was the current first-team star who won the vote. Aaron joined the club from Warrenpoint Town at the start of the 2017-18 season and he has made over 70 appearances for the club to date. Like Lyndon Kane, the ex-Carrick Rangers ace would have more appearances under his belt had it not been for an ACL injury in September 2018. His strong performances in his debut season meant he was named in the NIFWA Team of the Year.

STEPHEN DOOLEY

The winger was chosen ahead of Josh Carson, Ian Parkhill and David Scullion to claim the first spot in midfield. The Portstewart-born speedster made 89 appearances, scoring 13 goals across three different spells at the club. After bursting onto the scene in 2008, Dooley would spend time in the USA but returned home to score and help Coleraine end a nine-match losing run in 2014. Dooley would be on the books at Derry City and Cork City, where he won a league and cup double, but joined Coleraine for a third spell and started the 2018 Irish Cup final win against Cliftonville. The 28-year-old joined Rochdale in May 2018 and he is currently still with the League One side.

STEPHEN LOWRY

It can be argued that Stephen has been one of the best central midfielders across the Irish League as a whole during the last decade, never mind for Coleraine. After impressing for his native Limavady United, the 33-year-old joined the club in January 2010 under the management of Davy Platt and would go on to make 170 appearances during his first stint at The Showgrounds. A move to Linfield would materialise in 2014 and Stephen would taste success in the Danske Bank Premiership, Irish Cup and County Antrim Shield, as well as featuring in Europe, before returning to Coleraine at the start of last season. His winner for Coleraine, incidentally against the Blues, on Sky Sports in October 2012, is a worthy candidate for the memory of the decade.

BRAD LYONS

Brad made his first-team debut against Institute in August 2014 and went on to make 119 appearances, scoring 19 times in the process. A driving force in the middle of the park, Brad was regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Irish League. The Ballymoney man was a vital member of the Bannsiders squad that narrowly missed out on the Gibson Cup in 2017-18, but he started in the Irish Cup victory against Cliftonville in May 2018. A move to full-time football looked inevitable and Brad signed for Blackburn Rovers in September 2018, where he remains to this day.

STEPHEN CARSON

‘Carsie’ is considered as one of the best players to ever play for the club after joining for his first spell in 2004. The Ballymoney man started his career with Rangers, before being on the books at Dundee United, Barnsley and Hartlepool United. Stephen’s impressive performances meant he was always courted by other clubs north and south of the border, but he remained loyal to the club through difficult times both on and off the pitch. A career highlight would unfold in May 2009 as he received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for the friendly against Italy on 6 June, making his debut in the process. Carson would later join Glentoran at the end of the 2010-11 season and finally won silverware that his career deserved as he toasted Irish Cup success with the East Belfast side in May 2013. The winger returned to the club in July 2013 for half a season before securing a coaching role in Connecticut with Everton America. In total, he made 300 performances for Coleraine. What a player.

RORY PATTERSON

Rory only spent one season with the club at the start of the decade (2009-10) but what a season it turned out to be. The marksman netted 41 goals in all competitions and scooped the Ulster Footballer and NI Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards. During his time at the club, the Londonderry/Derry native was called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for a friendly against Albania and made his debut in the process. The 35-year-old left the club after agreeing a pre-contract agreement with Glentoran, but never played for the club after signing for Plymouth Arygle. Further spells would include Linfield, Cockburn City, Derry City, Crusaders and Ballymacash Rangers.

EOIN BRADLEY

Eoin is currently enjoying his second spell with the club after re-joining in January 2017 following a successful stint with Glenavon and has gone on to make over 100 appearances in blue and white. ‘Skinner’ was part of the victorious Lurgan Blues Irish Cup team in 2016 and the Derry GAA star replicated that success as he scored the third goal in the Bannsiders’ 2018 Irish Cup win against Cliftonville. He is considered by many to be Oran Kearney’s best ever signing after spotting the striker playing for Kilrea.