Back in Black - Johnny to make Showgrounds return

Coleraine FC have agreed a deal in principle to re-sign Johnny Black on a short-term deal following his return from Australia at the end of next month.
Johnny Black
 has agreed a deal in principle to return to Coleraine. Photo:Derek SimpsonJohnny Black
 has agreed a deal in principle to return to Coleraine. Photo:Derek Simpson
Johnny Black has agreed a deal in principle to return to Coleraine. Photo:Derek Simpson

Black, who spent the 2011-12 season at The Showgrounds, is currently playing in the Victorian Premier League with Melbourne side Oakleigh Cannons.

The 25-year-old will be available until the end of December before he returns Down Under.

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“I’m delighted to be bringing Johnny back to the club,” Oran Kearney told Times Sport.

Johnny Black
 has agreed a deal in principle to return to Coleraine. Photo:Derek SimpsonJohnny Black
 has agreed a deal in principle to return to Coleraine. Photo:Derek Simpson
Johnny Black has agreed a deal in principle to return to Coleraine. Photo:Derek Simpson

“He was only here for one season but he was a big player for us during that time.

“Johnny has been playing at a high standard in Australia and he has been playing in a number of different positions so he will offer us a lot of versatility.

“He is probably in the best shape of his life plus he will be able to come in and slot into our set-up straight away.

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“I have to pay tribute to our Chairman, Colin McKendry, for helping get this deal agreed as he has kept in contact with Johnny since he left and he alerted me to when he was coming back home.”

Black is looking forward to pulling a Coleraine shirt on once again.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Irish league football....I can’t wait to get back playing at The Showgrounds,” Black told the Coleraine Times from his home in Australia.

“When Oran asked me about coming back I didn’t even have to think about it to be honest. A few fans had asked me on Twitter where I’d like to play when I came home and the my answer was basically, ‘silly question’.

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“The happiest I’ve been in football was my time at Coleraine and I’m hoping it’s the same this time around also.”

Black has a reputation for scoring spectacular goals none more so than his strike from just over the halfway line against Portadown during his first spell with the Bannsiders as featured above in this footage from BBC Sport NI.

Full interview in next week’s Coleraine Times.

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