Having guaranteed the Candystripes’ survival in the eircom Premier Division with an extra-time winner in last month’s Promotion/Relegation play-off against Finn Harps, Coyle confirmed that night that ‘I don’t think it’s any secret that this is my final season as a player.’
‘I’ve reached the stage when injuries don’t heal as quickly as they used to and I don’t mind admitting that my legs won’t carry me for 90 minutes any longer,’ he added.
The 2003 season was disrupted for Coyle, Derry’s all-time top scorer, as a troublesome knee injury kept his appearances to a minimum and goal count to four, one of which gave him his 100th league goal of his career. Both club and player are expected to make a statement in due course.