PAT McALLISTER

This week our series looking back on the careers of Coleraine legends features one of the Bannsiders’ greatest players of recent years: talismanic former captain Pat McAllister.

One of former manager Kenny Shiels’ best signings for Coleraine, McAllister joined the Bannsiders in 1995 from Cliftonville for a club record fee of £32,000 and quickly established himself as a key member of the side which went on to lift the First Division Championship in the 1995/96 season and then lift the Ulster Cup at the start of the next campaign before agonisingly being pipped to the Premier Division title by Crusaders, having led the table for almost all the campaign.

“Packie” was a true fan favourite throughout his 10 years at The Showgrounds, captaining the team for much of that period. Although he predominately operated in the centre of midfield, he was more versatile than many gave him credit for, playing proficiently at centre back, right back and right midfield on occasions. He also pulled on the goalkeepers jersey on a number of occasions when the regular ‘keeper had been injured or sent off, famously saving a penalty in a derby match against Ballymena and then later filling in during the 2000 Gold Cup final defeat against Glentoran.

The highlight of his career at The Showgrounds came in 2003, when after a club record unbeaten run of 20 matches, Coleraine advanced through to their first Irish Cup Final in 17 years. Jody Tolan may have got the winning goal, but McAllister, playing in his first Irish Cup final, was the best player on the pitch, totally dominating the midfield until he was substituted to a standing ovation with only minutes left.

Coleraine reached the showpiece again the next season but this time McAllister was watching from the sidelines. Throughout his career he had been dogged by disciplinary problems and during the 2003/04 season these came to a head in an Irish Cup Quarter Final at Newry in which he was sent off for his part in a first half brawl and was subsequently banned for a record fifteen matches. Although the ban was suspended while he appealed the decision, allowing him to lead Coleraine in their semi-final victory over Limavady, the appeal was unsuccessful and he had to watch as Coleraine fell at the final hurdle.

Due to this ban he also missed the first two months of the next season, which was his testimonial campaign and would also prove to be his last with Coleraine. He made his return from suspension in a 2-2 draw at Ballyskeagh where he inspired Coleraine to come back from 2-0 down to earn a point.

He played his final game for against Portadown at The Showgrounds on 8th April 2005, a combination of suspension and injury preventing him from taking part in the final matches of the campaign.

Coleraine Record: 319 appearances (plus 16 as a substitute) – 42 goals.