COLERAINE FOOTBALL FANS PLAYING A VITAL SUPPORTING ROLE

East Londonderry Assembly member David McClarty says Coleraine football fans have played a major role in helping the club stay afloat. Coleraine supporter Mr. McClarty was responding to claims that the club could be permitted to come out of administration by the end of the current season. He said: “The who community rallied round when it seemed a certainty that Coleraine FC would be forced to fold because of its debts. Now it seems the ongoing support of fans and local business people have played a significant part in saving the day. “The voluntary effort which has continued has been tremendous and indicates yet again that there is support for Irish League football at grass roots level. “People felt that part of the very heart of the town was being ripped away from them when an winding up order was put before the courts. “They responded in such a magnificent way and have continued to back their team.” Mr. McClarty also paid tribute the “unstinting loyalty” of manager Marty Quinn and his players, adding: “Marty has been a rock and deserves to be rewarded for the dignified and professional manner in which he has handled himself over an extremely testing time. “He could have accepted other offers which would have been much more financially rewarding but he demonstrated his loyalty and care for the club. So too did the players who stayed when it would have been easier to walk away. “Hopefully, their dedication will be rewarded if and when the club moves out of administration and discharges its responsibilities as far as its creditors are concerned.”

18 Jan 2006 by Editor 276 comments