Where are they now? Stewart Clanachan

FORMER Coleraine defender Stewart Clanachan is the latest player to talk about his time in the Blue and White Stripes…

The Coleraine native came through the ranks at the club and went on to make his debut against Carrick Rangers on Boxing Day in 1995.

Clanachan was part of the first-team squad which went close to securing the Gibson Cup in 1996, but his loyalty was rewarded in 2003 as he lifted the Irish Cup with his hometown club.

In total, Clanachan made 422 appearances for the Bannsiders, scoring eight times in the process and he spoke to Jonathan McNabb about his career at The Showgrounds.

Q1. Stewart – talk us through your youth career, who did you play for and did you always play as a defender? Any trials across the water?

The first team I played for as a kid was Killowen FC in the town. It was a great team, full of good young players and I played with guys a bit older than myself which helped. the likes of Russell Kelly and Rory Hamill.

Unfortunately the league had no strength and depth to it so I moved to Greystone Rovers to play at U14 level in Belfast but up to this point I had always been a striker.

After this I then played for Cullybacky Blues, where we won just about everything there was to win and you may know a good team mate of mine – Stephen Douglas – how old is he now?

From here it was on to Coleraine and I then captained the U18 NI schoolboys. As for trials, I was at Norwich and St Johnstone, then later during my time at Coleraine I was at Preston North End and Leicester City .

Q2. Made your debut for the club on Boxing Day 1995 against Carrick Rangers; must have been a dream come true? Owe anything to Kenny Shiels for giving you your debut?

Boxing Day 1995 seems like a long time ago but I remember it like yesterday. It was a dream come true to play for Coleraine FC as I was such a big fan of my hometown club.

The fans cleared the pitch of snow that day which was a herculean effort but that was typical of Coleraine fans though! We won that game easily and it was a day I will never forget.

Kenny Shiels was so good to me and yes I owe him a lot. He brought in Jim Hagan to play alongside me in the Reserves which was an invaluable experience that stuck with me through my whole career because at this stage I was solely playing as a centre-half.

Q3. Do you think the club should have won the title in 1996/97? It must have been great competing for silverware?

The 1996 season will always be the one that got away. Of course we should have won but we didn’t and draws in title races are a killer and we had to many in the final stages.

I remember the changing room after the game, it was the exact same as the changing room the day we were relegated, just awful.

It was great competing for the league at that time but if I’m being honest, if you don’t win, it takes its toll and it’s hard to remember the good stuff that got you in that position.

Q4. Marty Quinn arrived at the end of the 90’s what was he like as a manager? You had managed to become first choice from 97/98 onwards?

Marty Quinn or just Marty as I spoke to him, none of this boss or gaffer talk. Marty is great motivational manager, a real players manager and you would play your heart out for him because he had you right up there with his team talks.

They were aggressive and passionate with a bit of humour in there too. I had some blazing arguments with Marty many’s a time after games but it was always done and dusted after.

I remember walking up the Mountsandel Road with my wife and kids and Marty pulled up in the car. He got out and made me shake his hand over a new contract knowing my wife wouldn’t let me negotiate – shrewd man!

Q5. The Irish Cup win in 2003; how proud was it to win a trophy after so long for your boyhood club? Do you think Coleraine supporters can be too harsh on players from the town?

The 2003 Irish Cup win was obviously the best thing to happen to me in my career and it was a long time coming for the club and fans. I must mention my uncle David McClarty who sadly passed away a few years back as he was immensely proud to see us win that trophy and I guess days like that just bring joy and happiness to so many.

My son was 5 days old so it was a double celebration for myself. Winning a trophy for the club you support and a town you live in is very special and it can never be taken away from you and is just beautiful .

Now the hard part to this question, back when I first started playing for Coleraine you really needed a thick skin to play. It’s been said that fans pay their money so there has always been that saying ‘they can say and shout what they want’.

Now as a player I have seen good local players reduced to nervous wrecks before games so it’s worth remembering taunting a player constantly isn’t going to make him play better. The whole social media thing came into play towards the end of my career and it’s all players talked about. When you write something remember that person will read it, ‘Coleraine Hammer’ had a real effect on myself in a real harsh negative way, so a big shout out to him.

Q6. Chat us through your experiences of playing in Europe – must have been a few funny stories?

Playing in the Irish League gives you the unique chance of playing in Europe which is just fantastic. I was lucky to play quite a few games in Europe and will always remember the games.

I must say no matter where in the world we played, Coleraine fans were there supporting us which is just awesome and inspiring to a player.

The stories I have are all bad, I couldn’t repeat them, so I will play it safe and talk about the Grasshopper away game. My room mate was wee Tommy McCallion, a great pro, he filled the bath with ice to recover and I put cans of beer in it.

Right before kick-off someone from the club came into the changing room with a pennant to swap with Grasshopper before the game so somebody handed it to me. I remember looking at it thinking that looks funny, we had left out a P in Grasshopper, so it read ‘Grasshoper’, the whole changing room was in fits of laughter.

Q7. The club’s financial position was under threat in 2005 as a Coleraine supporter that must have been heartbreaking?

The 2005 situation was shocking as a player and a fan. To be honest, at the time I couldn’t believe what was happening. I kept telling myself ‘ah it will be fine things will blow over and the club will survive’, but it went right to the wire, so close to the end which would have been devastating for the town and the area.

It’s worth noting that 15 years on, the Club is such a massive part of the community, it’s a real heartbeat of the town in my opinion and thank God it survived.

It was also my testimonial year that season, I remember sitting with my wife Wendy talking about it and the tears were rolling down the cheeks. We both decided to donate my testimonial money to the club, but Marty being Marty wouldn’t accept it because it would have made no difference, although at least the thought was there. That’s what the Club means to people.

Q8. I think your final appearance would have been against Linfield in the 08 final? How hard was that to take?

Yes my final appearance was the 2008 Irish Cup final and at that time I wasn’t totally sure if it was to be my last game. A few weeks before I had shook hands with Marty on a one year contract with a greatly reduced wage so I thought it was fine.

However Marty came to me a week or so before the Cup final and said the board were not prepared to give me any contract whatsoever. Marty wanted me to go and chat to them but I never did.

We lost that final and Marty left, things had taken its toll on him I think and he sadly walked away. Once he left Davy Platt took over and I reported to pre-season as usual only to be called in and told my services were no longer required. I was devastated but all good things must come to an end and I think I had about 20 pints that day .

Q9. Who was the best player you played with and against during your time at the club?

The best player I played against in the Irish League would be Stuart Elliott or perhaps Glen Little.

The best player I played with is a tough one, obviously Packy and Gorman were fantastic players, Carson was exceptional but as a fan I have to say big Gacky. He was a great centre-half who scored regularly, he epitomises what a club man should be – a legend.

Q10. Do you get to see much IL football now? Do you think the 2003 Irish Cup winning squad would beat the current first-team squad?

I go to as many games as I possibly can as I work alternate weekends in the AVX. However, if someone wants to give me a Monday to Friday job feel free to call. I just love the Irish League, it’s good to watch and it’s a good atmosphere.

Is it as good quality wise as it once was? From my point of view playing right back it’s definitely not. I remember playing against Stuart Elliott, Glen Little, Stephen Beatty, Ivan Sproule, Mark Rutherford, Tim McCann, Mark McCann, Wesley Boyle, Kevin Keegan, Marty McCann, Mark Picking, Sid Burrows, not to mention the wingers in my teams.

The current first-team squad is the best in the league, but it wouldn’t match up against the 2003 team. Football is a game of opinions I know, but I just think the 2003 squad is too big and strong  and there would only be one winner – sorry!

I would like to end by saying well done to Oran, Trevor and all the backroom staff, but especially to the players for all that they have achieved over the last few years. It is simply wonderful to watch and keep it going please.