About Us
Who we are
Friends of Coleraine is a supporter-led organisation built on a love for our club, our town and the surrounding area — working to support and enhance opportunities for the local community through the power of sport.
Our story
Friends History
The Friends of Coleraine FC (Friends) was founded in 2006 by a group of dedicated, passionate Coleraine FC fans to save the Club from financial extinction, to maintain a key community asset within the town, and to preserve the Club's place among the elite of Irish League football.
Friends assumed sole ownership of the Club at that time and, over the years - through fundraising initiatives, occasional grants and membership subscriptions – has provided substantial financial support towards many of the Club's operational and development costs.
Governed by an elected Committee and accountable to its membership, Friends agreed to sell its interest in the Club to private investors in 2023 – a £multi-million investment that has grown substantially since ownership transferred formally in February 2024.
Since then, Friends has continued to provide targeted support to the Club, and, in December 2025, the membership agreed to explore a more outward-facing, charitable purpose for the organisation - one that supports both Club and Community.
The Friends Foundation Wall at Coleraine Showgrounds
The refurbished home dressing room at CFC, a project part-funded by Friends
Looking ahead
Friends Future
With a loyal and growing core membership, substantial reserves, and a determination to create a sustainable legacy for the organisation, Friends is currently transitioning towards a charitable model for its operations.
The future is firmly focused on growing the membership and on creating effective social partnerships and initiatives that support and enhance opportunities for the local community through sport.
With one eye on CFC's centenary celebrations in 2027, Friends continues to engage with the Club, and The Harry Gregg Foundation, to establish firm foundations on which to build a future that makes a major contribution to the social fabric of Coleraine and the surrounding area.
While football is "in our blood", Friends future activities will extend well beyond the beautiful game – to deliver positive impact across our Club and Community, with integrity and respect for all.
Keep an eye on our News section for further updates on how the future is shaping up.
Get involved in shaping our future here – after all, we are all Friends, and all Bannsiders!
What drives us
Our values
Respect
We believe sport is for everyone. We create opportunities that are inclusive, accessible, welcoming and meaningful for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. We achieve more together.
Community
We are rooted in our community and driven passionately by its needs, using the power of sport to strengthen connections, pride and belonging. We are inspired by a shared love of sport and our local professional football club, bringing energy, commitment and pride to everything we do.
Integrity
We act with honesty, professionalism, transparency and accountability, ensuring trust in how we serve our beneficiaries, partners and community.
Positive Impact
We create pathways for people to develop skills, confidence and wellbeing through sport - on and off the field. We focus on making a real difference - improving lives through measurable, meaningful outcomes and long-term change.
Supporting Club and Community
"Our mission is simple — to support and enhance opportunities for the local community through sport."