David Platt takes on Academy role with Coleraine FC

Platt has spent large parts of his career with his hometown club as a player, coach and first-team manager and is relishing this new challenge.

“I'm delighted to be back at the club and I'm looking forward to getting started,” he told the club website.

“I have spent a lot of my career at Coleraine in different capacities but I feel like I'm still a young man and I have a lot to give.

“Youth football is where I started and Victor Hunter brought me to the club when I was 25-years-old as a coach and I'm passionate about youth football.

“The future is bright at Coleraine and it's about giving back to the local community and all the children.”

As part of its continuous review of the functions and development of Coleraine FC, the Board of Directors in conjunction with the Head Coach, have started a process of restructuring the Clubs Youth Development Pathway (YDP).

The first phase of this has seen the successful completion of the modification of the Senior element of the YDP (Under 16,18 and 20s), with the appointment of a Senior Academy Director in the summer of 2019.

The second phase of this restructure has also now taken place and will see Platt incorporate the Junior element of the YDP (Soccer School, 7 & 9 aside teams & NIBFA teams up to U-15) into a fully integrated YDP, in line with the Club’s philosophy and values.

The new position will also require him to work in tandem with the Senior Academy Director and other structures within the club.

Commenting on the news, first-team boss Oran Kearney was pleased to see Platt make a return to The Showgrounds.

“There has been a huge amount of work that has taken place in the last six or seven months regarding the restructuring of the Academy,” he said.

“I would like to thank Nevin Oliver and Colin McKendry for their hard work and advice throughout the process.

“When the club took over the Academy from the Harry Gregg Foundation a few years ago, there has been great work carried out, but we felt a further restructuring will align the Academy with how the senior club is run.

“A committee will be formed in due course and we have already seen the success of Ollie Mullan in his position as the Senior Academy Director.

“David has a big history as a player, coach and manager at the club, and the Platt name has a big association with Coleraine Football Club.

“He has a huge interest in youth football and I've no doubt he will help aid young players' development during his time here.”

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