Henry Ross Assumes Majority Ownership of Coleraine FC

Coleraine Football Club has announced that Henry Ross, a 24-year-old local property developer, has acquired majority ownership of the club through a “significant investment.” Ross was initially named a minority shareholder in October, at which time Ranald McGregor-Smith and Patrick Mitchell led the club’s financial backers. However, Ross has now provided a “substantial additional commitment to the club.” The club stated that McGregor-Smith and Randall will continue in their roles as shareholders and directors. Ross articulated his vision, stating, “While staying true to our values, my ambition is to establish Coleraine FC as the leading club in the Irish League and a pioneer in both on-pitch performance and community engagement.” He further added, “We want to inspire not only our loyal supporters but also the entire region by creating opportunities and setting standards that reflect the vibrancy and potential of the Causeway Coast and Glens. Together, we will achieve greatness that resonates far beyond the pitch.” Simon Magee, Coleraine’s chief executive, commented that Ross’s increased investment positions the club to be “ready to embark on a transformative journey.” Magee elaborated, “While honouring its rich history, the club is determined to achieve unprecedented success both on and off the pitch, becoming a powerhouse in Northern Irish football and a symbol of excellence for the region.” This development positions the Bannsiders investor as one of the world’s youngest owners. This event marks the most recent in a series of transformations for Coleraine this year, which began with Bannsiders Holdings, under the leadership of London-based businessmen McGregor-Smith and Mitchell, finalizing their takeover in February. Additionally, the club transitioned to a full-time operational model at the beginning of the current season, and a reorganization of the coaching staff resulted in Dean Shiels becoming head coach and long-serving manager Oran Kearney moving to the role of sporting director. Coleraine, whose last league title victory was in 1974, currently occupies eighth place in the Irish Premiership, having accumulated 26 points from 20 matches. Last month, the team was eliminated from the Bet McLean Cup by Crusaders, and they are scheduled to play Armagh City at home in the fifth round of the Irish Cup. In the previous month, it was revealed that the club’s Showgrounds stadium faced potential closure by the Causeway Coast and Glens Council due to the club’s failure to submit a structural integrity report since June 2022.