Former Coleraine boss says supporters are right to be cautious with takeovers
Marty Quinn
Former Coleraine manager Marty Quinn insists clubs and supporters are right to be wary and ask searching questions around potential takeovers.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that American businessman Michael Smith has bought a majority share in Carrick Rangers.
The Gers deal follows other significant investments in Irish League clubs with Purplebricks co-founder Kenny Bruce becoming owner of his hometown team Larne in 2017 and Ali Pour taking over Glentoran in 2019.
Last year a takeover of Crusaders by Irama Sport collapsed while on Tuesday the Friends of Coleraine FC, who own Coleraine FC, will vote at an AGM on a potential takeover involving businessmen Ranald McGregor-Smith and Patrick Mitchell who originally hail from the town.
Sunday Life Sport has reported the consortium is willing to invest £2 million over the next five years enabling Coleraine to go full-time with the goal of becoming Irish League champions by 2027. Quinn steered the Bannsiders to Irish Cup glory in 2003 but was also manager when the club hit financial difficulties and nearly went out of business two years later.
The Friends of Coleraine group was able to buy the club and the north-west side have went on to become a team regularly challenging for honours under current boss Oran Kearney.
Former Cliftonville manager Quinn feels club owners and supporters are right to scrutinise arrangements as no teams should be put at risk. “I would like to see the investment happen but you also worry about investors, what their motives are and how long are they going to be around,” said Quinn who guided the Reds to the league title in 1998.
“Will the novelty wear
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