JOHNNY MCCURDY

Our regular series looking at some of the greatest players to represent the Bannsiders now takes a look at the record setting career of another stalwart of the 1960’s and 1970’s glory days, Johnny McCurdy.

Johnny McCurdy made his debut for Coleraine in a home game against Ballymena Utd in January 1960 and by the time of his last appearance, away to Crusaders in February of 1977; he had turned out 649 times for the club (including one appearance as a substitute.) To this day he holds the club’s appearance record.

He started his career as an inside forward, but soon converted to right back, where he played for the rest of his career. He can also lay claim to being one of Coleraine’s most decorated players, playing a key role in the many triumphs of the 60’s and 70’s, winning Irish Cup medals in 1965, 1972 and 1975, the Blaxnit All-Ireland Cup in 1969 (a great year for the club as they also won four other senior trophies – the City Cup, Gold Cup, Ulster Cup and Top Four Trophy) and 1970 and of course the Irish League Championship in 1974. Johnny was captain for many years throughout this glorious period and also appeared 13 times in Europe, scoring once against Eintracht Frankfurt in 1975.

Although he never received full international honours, he picked up a Junior International Cap in a 1-1 draw against Scotland in 1960 and he later represented the Irish League twice in matches against the League of Ireland and the English Football League.

After Bertie Peacock resigned as manager, having led the club to the Gibson Cup in 1974, McCurdy took over as player-manager, sharing the reins with Ivan Murray and together, they took the club to another Irish Cup victory in 1975 as Coleraine overcame Linfield in a twice replayed final at the Ballymena Showgrounds. Johnny stepped down from the manager’s post at the end of that season, but continued to play for the club until his last appearance in 1977.

Johnny’s reputation continued to live on long after he retired and in 2003, when BBC NI Sportsound ran a poll to find an All Time Irish League XI, he was chosen as right back in the team, alongside two other past Coleraine greats, his old team mate Des Dickson and Felix Healy.