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NAME:
The Coleraine Showgrounds
RECORD
ATTENDANCE: 12,500
[est] v. Tottenham Hotspur, 1982 Cup Winners'
Cup
CAPACITY:
6,500 [1,400 seated]
AMENITIES:
Matchday
Bar, Club Shop (Merchandise and Refreshments)
and Hot Food Catering |
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There
are currently four ‘Showgrounds’
hosting football in the Irish Premier
League. Ballymena, Newry, Limavady and
Coleraine. The latter being home to Coleraine
FC, The Coleraine Showgrounds.
The
Showgrounds' is located on the Ballycastle
Road of the town and has played host to
Coleraine FC since June of 1927. It has
seen many changes throughout the years
and has developed into one of the most
prestigious Irish League venues. With
a current capacity of 6,500, mainly due
to stringent Health and Safety regulations,
long gone are the days of crowds of well
over 10,000 flocking to watch the Bannsiders.
The club’s record attendance still
stands at 12,500 when Coleraine entertained
Spurs in the 1982 Cup Winners’ Cup.
Other memorable moments in both domestic
and European football include the inexplicable
5-5 draw with Linfield and, more recently,
the shock win over Portuguese Cup Finalists
UD Leiria in the UEFA Cup.
It
also plays host to arguably the most coveted
youth tournament in the world, the Milk
Cup, where sides from 6 continents descend
on the North Coast for a week’s
football, at U14, U16 and U19 age groups.
Recent participants include Paraguay,
Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Chelsea
to name but a few. |
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THE
JACK DOHERTY GRANDSTAND |
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Erected
in 1989 and named after former club Chairman
Jack, the impressive cantilever structure
replaced the old main stand, which was
entirely wooden in design. The control
room and directors’ boxes are located
to the rear of the stand, below which
there are enough seats to accommodate
1,400 spectators. The grandstand also
has disabled access and a wheelchair friendly
area.
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| THE
RAILWAY END |
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Deriving
its name, somewhat obviously, from the
Londonderry to Belfast railway line
behind it, the Railway End is a spot
for the more vocal fan. Just like the
rest of the ground, the RE’s promoxity
to the pitch gives fans the chance to,
literally, get on top of the team and
make the vocal support count.
Unfortunately,
as in many IL grounds, perimeter fences
remain despite legislation forbidding
their use. This was down to ‘the
Troubles’, and the differing regulations
applied to domestic football during
that period. However, this legislation
is due to change and will come in line
with the rest of the UK. The fences
are due to be dismantled at the end
of the 2008/2009 season.
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| THE
'SHED' TERRACING |
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Until
the summer of 2007, the ‘Shed’
stood defiantly offering shelter to
those on the terrace. Unfortunately,
prior to the Milk Cup – specifically
its glamour Northern Ireland v Everton
prequel to the tournament – a
structural report on the ground identified
asbestos in the roofing of the stand,
and it was demolished within a week.
With its demolition, it has now opened
up the whole terrace to Coleraine fans,
who previously were restricted in their
movement due to segregation.
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| THE
BALLYCASTLE ROAD END |
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Virtually
a carbon copy of the railaway end, the
terrace was covered one year later than
its predecessor. It has been raised since,
in the expectation of filling the stand
with seats. This has since fallen through,
although away fans are still provided
with a fine platform from which to view
the match.
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