Coleraine chairman Colin McKendry hails ‘bright future’ as Bannsiders vote in favour of takeover

The Coleraine Showgrounds

Coleraine Football Club will enter a new era after a £2 million takeover of the north-west outfit was given the green light in a vote at the Friends of Coleraine FC AGM on Tuesday night.

Prior to the AGM at the Showgrounds, Coleraine chairman Colin McKendry declared that the vote would be the biggest decision made in the club’s history.

When it was taken following some questions from the floor, the multi-million pound deal received overwhelming backing from the Friends of Coleraine FC membership.

For the takeover to go ahead 75% of the vote was required and the Belfast Telegraph understands that 85% supported the plan which will change Coleraine forever with the target from the new owners to turn the club into a full-time outfit and win the Irish League title by 2027.

The Bannsiders board had thrown their weight behind the investment proposal from a consortium led by Ranald McGregor-Smith and Patrick Mitchell, who originally hail from the town, and now it has been given the thumbs up by the Friends of Coleraine FC, the guardians of the club.

McKendry said: “We are delighted and are now looking forward to a bright future for Coleraine Football Club.”

Any acquisition of the club will be subject to legalities being finalised.

The Bannsiders are the latest Irish League club to be taken over by outside investors.

In 2017 Kenny Bruce became owner of his hometown team Larne while Ali Pour took over Glentoran in 2019 and last week the Belfast Telegraph broke the news that American businessman Michael Smith was acquiring a significant part of Carrick Rangers to become the majority shareholder.

In terms of the full-time element it will be fascinating to see what happens at Coleraine in the next few