Coleraine FC have completed the pre-contract signings of Joel Cooper, Levi Ives and Ronan Doherty. This business represents a new force emerging in Northern Irish football set to challenge the traditional elite.

Following the success of Larne FC in the early 2020s a blueprint has been drawn for clubs to follow when it comes to success in the Irish League and entering Europe.

Coleraine, and their new owners, look to be following that blueprint with recent business.

Coleraine FC: Who are they?

Coleraine are one time Irish League champions and have lifted the domestic Irish FA Cup six times in their history.

The club is one of the most consistent members of the top flight of Northern Irish football. Following the introduction of relegation in 1994/95 where they did go down. The club were promoted as champions in 1995/96. Since that season they have been a constant in the division.

During early 2024 London-based businessmen Randall McGregor-Smith and Patrick Mitchell completed a takeover of the club through their ‘Bannsider Holdings’ company.

Toward the end of the year they were joined by a local property developer Harry Ross, who became a minority shareholder.

Plans were set into action ahead of the 2024/25 campaign when Coleraine made a switch from part-time football to a full-time schedule. A format being adopted by more clubs in Ireland recently. 

Switching to a Full-Time Schedule

This new format brought a period of transformation to the club, however, not all of it being positive.

The risk with moving away from part-time football is that players who have lucrative careers outside football may not re-sign as you embark on a new era.

This happened to Coleraine who saw several departures to close-rivals Ballymena United, who could offer a part-time schedule.

Former Rangers and Northern Ireland international Dean Shiels was installed as first-team coach in a restructure of the club’s managerial team.

Coleraine were able to retain the services of talisman Matthew Shevlin. The striker who was top scorer during the 2022/23 has scored 15 so far this campaign, and is joint top in the golden boot race.

As a full-time outfit with positive financial backing they now appear to have the conditions to battle the teams from Belfast.

Coleraine shock the league with pre-contract signings

Linfield, who are traditional giants in Northern Irish football were the first to feel the effects of this new-look Coleraine.

The Bannsiders secured the services of their top scorer Joel Cooper on a pre-contract. The former Oxford United player has made 18 goal contributions so far this season for the league leaders.

He is Linfield’s most important player going forward, and is recognised as a threat by opposing defenders as he draws 2.2 fouls per game.

The second pre-contract signing Coleraine have made is Larne FC left-back Levi Ives. The 27-year-old arrived at Larne from Cliftonville during 2023 after an eight year stay with The Reds.

Ives was deployed on the left of a five at the back system under new Derry City coach Tiernan Lynch.

He retained that position in the new regime at Inver Part and started as a wing-back in Larne’s historic victory over K.A.A. Gent in the UEFA Conference League.

Ronan Doherty has also agreed a pre-contract to move to The Showgrounds following a six year stay at Irish FA Cup holders Cliftonville.

Doherty is the creative spark for Cliftonville providing four goals this campaign. He also completes 1.8 key passes a game and has an 86% pass accuracy rate per 90 this season.

Can Coleraine upset the order?

Coleraine already possess a hugely talented squad. If they can keep their key players these additions, with potentially more to come, could see a squad that can break the dominance of Belfast’s ‘big four’ and the financial might of Larne FC.

However, Coleraine must be sensible to make this work. Football is becoming more financially conscious globally, and a system of sustainability rules was recently introduced to Northern Irish football.

Clubs must financially break even on a two-year cycle, which will make it significantly more difficult for Coleraine to use their financial muscle liberally to achieve success.