Liam Coyle
Encyclopedia
Liam Coyle is a former Northern Irish
footballer who plied his trade with Derry City F.C.
from 1988 until 2003. Born in Derry
, Northern Ireland
, he is remembered for scoring a hat-trick on his Derry City debut against Cobh Ramblers
on 6 November, 1988.
Coyle became a firm fan-favourite at the Brandywell among the Derry City faithful. One of the club's most gifted players ever, he was a target of Manchester United
and Sven-Göran Eriksson
at Benfica during his early years until a serious knee injury hampered any potential move and almost brought his career to an end at the age of 21. After the injury, Coyle temporarily retired from the game, but kick-started his career again at Omagh Town in the 1992/93 season where he scored 26 goals. This form alerted Derry and he signed back for his home city's club. In 1995 he left Derry for Glentoran during an unsettled spell, but returned once again the following season after winning an Irish Cup
winning medal.
Since the entry of the club into League of Ireland
football, Coyle is Derry's top scorer with 112 goals to his name after 390 competitive appearances, including one in his final ever game for the club, a relegation play-off against arch rivals Finn Harps.
, who also played with Derry, Coyle played internationally for Northern Ireland
. He appeared in the green jersey on one occasion against Chile
in 1989, although his pride on that occasion was tempered by a less than welcome reception from some Northern Ireland fans. He has been quoted as saying "While standing for the national anthem, a section of the supporters were giving me dogs abuse, calling me a Provo and shouting 'Go back to Derry, you Fenian scum'"http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/irish/mcginn-aims-to-end-19-years-of-derry-exclusion-1535217.html.
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
footballer who plied his trade with Derry City F.C.
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
from 1988 until 2003. Born in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, he is remembered for scoring a hat-trick on his Derry City debut against Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club . is an Irish football club playing in the A Championship, the third tier of Irish football. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park...
on 6 November, 1988.
Club career
After playing for Finn Harps F.C.Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
Coyle became a firm fan-favourite at the Brandywell among the Derry City faithful. One of the club's most gifted players ever, he was a target of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson , in Sweden commonly referred to just by his nickname Svennis, is a Swedish ex-football manager. From October 2010 to October 2011 he managed Football League Championship side Leicester City....
at Benfica during his early years until a serious knee injury hampered any potential move and almost brought his career to an end at the age of 21. After the injury, Coyle temporarily retired from the game, but kick-started his career again at Omagh Town in the 1992/93 season where he scored 26 goals. This form alerted Derry and he signed back for his home city's club. In 1995 he left Derry for Glentoran during an unsettled spell, but returned once again the following season after winning an Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
winning medal.
Since the entry of the club into League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
football, Coyle is Derry's top scorer with 112 goals to his name after 390 competitive appearances, including one in his final ever game for the club, a relegation play-off against arch rivals Finn Harps.
International career
Like his father, FayFay Coyle
Francis Coyle , more commonly known as Fay Coyle, was a former Northern Ireland international footballer from Derry, Northern Ireland.-Club career:...
, who also played with Derry, Coyle played internationally for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. He appeared in the green jersey on one occasion against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
in 1989, although his pride on that occasion was tempered by a less than welcome reception from some Northern Ireland fans. He has been quoted as saying "While standing for the national anthem, a section of the supporters were giving me dogs abuse, calling me a Provo and shouting 'Go back to Derry, you Fenian scum'"http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/irish/mcginn-aims-to-end-19-years-of-derry-exclusion-1535217.html.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 2- Derry City F.C.Derry City F.C.Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
1988/89, 1996/97
- Derry City F.C.
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 3- Derry City F.C.Derry City F.C.Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
1989, 1995, 2002
- Derry City F.C.
- League of Ireland Cup: 4
- Derry City F.C.Derry City F.C.Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
1988/89, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94
- Derry City F.C.
- IFA Cup
- Glentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
1995
- Glentoran F.C.