Colin Coates (footballer)

Colin Coates (born 26 October 1985) is a semi-professional footballer from Northern Ireland who plays as a defender for Ballymena United.

Colin Coates
Coates with Cliftonville in 2021.
Personal information
Full name Colin Coates
Date of birth (1985-10-26) 26 October 1985
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Centre Back
Youth career
2001–2002 Crusaders
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2020 Crusaders 577 (73)
2020–2021 Glenavon 23 (3)
2021–2023 Cliftonville 39 (2)
2023- Ballymena United 7 (2)
International career‡
2009–2011 Northern Ireland 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:05, 1 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:49, 27 May 2011 (UTC)

Early life

Coates was born in Belfast, and attended Grosvenor Grammar School, not traditionally a football-playing school.

Club career

Crusaders

Coates made a name for himself at Crusaders.[1][2] He later revealed that at 15, he had the choice of signing for either Crusaders or Glentoran.[3] He made his first-team debut against Chimney Corner in the County Antrim Shield on 29 October 2002, and scored on his league debut, a 2–4 defeat to Glentoran on 9 November.

He has developed a formidable partnership in the centre of defence with David Magowan over the years, and he was part of the team which won the Irish Cup in 2009,[4] He also scored a late equaliser in normal time in the County Antrim Shield final against Linfield. The Crues went on to win the game 3–2.[5]

Coates was instrumental in Crusaders' triumph in the 2012 Setanta Sports Cup. In the semi-final second leg against Sligo Rovers, he scored an extra-time penalty which put Crusaders into the final.[6] In the final itself against Derry City, he scored twice in a 2–2 draw, and scored in the resulting victorious penalty shoot-out in a man of the match performance.[7] He also scored in the 2012 Irish Cup Final in a 1–4 defeat to Linfield.[8] Coates has become the highest scoring central defender in Irish league football with his goal against Glentoran in late 2016. His presence in the box, neat finishing and even freekick taking make him an all round player with a great left foot.

Glenavon

After playing 577 senior games for Crusaders, spanning 18 years, Coates signed an 18-month contract with Glenavon on 30 January 2020, with the option for a further year.[9] On 21 June 2021 it was announced that Coates had been transfer listed due to restructuring of the playing staff post COVID-19.[10] On 28 August 2021, it was confirmed that Coates had left the club.

Cliftonville

After his release he signed for Cliftonville.[11] he was part of the side that won the 2021–22 Northern Ireland Football League Cup.

Ballymena

On 14 June 2023, Coates signed for Ballymena United, on a two-year contract.[12]

International career

Coates was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the match against Italy on 6 June 2009, in which he played the full 90 minutes to receive his first cap.[13][14]

In May 2010, he was selected for friendly matches against Turkey and Chile (against both of whom he played as a second-half substitute). He also appeared in a friendly against Morocco. As of 11 August 2011, he has received six caps, and is the most capped Crusaders player of all time.

Honours

Club
Crusaders

Cliftonville

Individual

References
  1. "Squad profiles – Senior Colin Coates". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  2. The Best Irish League Select XI? News Letter, 9 May 2008
  3. Report on the Committee’s Inquiry into Participation in Sport and Physical Activity in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Assembly, 1 July 2010
  4. Allen, Tommy (9 May 2009). "Crusaders triumph in all-Belfast final". UEFA. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  5. "Crusaders 3–2 Linfield". BBC News. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  6. Sligo Rovers 2-1 Crusaders (Crusaders win 3-2 on agg) BBC Sport, 23 April 2012
  7. Crusaders 2-2 Derry City BBC Sport, 12 May 2012
  8. Crusaders 1-4 Linfield BBC Sport, 12 May 2012
  9. "Glenavon complete signing of Crusaders captain Colin Coates". Belfast Telegraph. 30 January 2020.
  10. "Colin Coates transfer listed". Glenavon Football Club. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  11. "Colin Coates: Cliftonville sign Crusaders legend after departure from Glenavon". Belfast Telegraph. 2 September 2021.
  12. "BALLYMENA United are delighted to announce the signing of Colin Coates". Ballymenaunitedfc.com.
  13. "Brave NI fall short in Italy". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  14. "Match facts". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Archived from the original on 10 June 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
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