The History Of Tullans FC

Tullans Football Club was formed by in 1976 by a few boys from the Windyhall area and the quickly established themselves as a footballing unit under the guidance of manager Willie Harbinson to join the Old Crock Summer League. It was a successful first outing for the Tullans team, finishing as champions at the first attempt. This was the nucleus of the team that went on to compete in the Coleraine and District League and at that time, there was great rivalry between the Tullans camp and derby rivals Windyhall Rangers, one of the most successful Morning League teams of that era. Tullans again tasted success in the Coleraine and District League winning the Morning League championship and also claiming the Chronicle Cup (Morning League Cup) under the guidance of managerial duo Jimmy Gault who lived in Windyhall Park and Davy Cochrane, a man born at 221 Tullans Park and who had returned from Canada.

Windyhall Rangers - Champion & Cup Winners 1972

Back row, from left:

Dessie Bradley, Manager; Sammy Miller, Trevor Cauley, William McIntyre, Ernie Peacock, Alan Garrett, Barry Cahoon, Cyril O'Harra.

Kneeling:

The late Paddy Doherty, Kenny Milligan, Maurice Bradley, capt; James Cochrane and Tommy Doherty.

TULLANS FOOTBALL TEAM 1990/1991

However, lack of changing facilities forced both Tullans and neighbours Windyhall Rangers out of business. Then, in 1990, John O’Neill, Maurice Bradley, a member of the original Tullans team and a former captain of Windyhall Rangers, were successful in taking the place of Parkview in the league when the clubs amalgamated in the summer of 1990 to re-form Tullans Football Club. Under manager John O’Neill, the club went through the first half of the league campaign unbeaten in their first season, but injuries to key players saw them lose ground in the second half of the league campaign to finish third.

Back row, from left:

Stuarty Brownlow, SB Taxis, Sponsors; Gareth Mitchell, Tony Gray, Rodney Donnell, Colin Bradley, Marcus Gault, Derek Watton, Philip Anderson, David Cochrane, Gregg Brownlow, SB Taxis, Coleraine.

Kneeling:

Maurice Bradley, Davy McKendry, Joe O'Reilly, Rodney Quinn, Andy McCormick, David Boreland, Stephen Quinn.

Chronicle Cup Winners 1998/1999

After two years, work commitments forced John to retire from management, but he has remained a steading influence on the club albeit from behind the scenes. The reigns were taken up by Maurice Bradley and in 1995-96, Keith Barbour joined as a player and eventually stepped up to assistant manager. The club were knocking at the door of success, but just couldn’t get the final bit of luck to make past the semi-final stages of knockout tournaments or above third place in the league. That all changed in 1997-98 when the club contested the final of the Steele and Sons Shield, knocking out Premier League opposition in Portrush, Garvagh and Dunaghy on the way. In the final at Coleraine Showgrounds, they once again met Premier League opposition when Kilrea United ran out worthy winners by a 4-2 scoreline after an entertaining and sporting final. The following year, Tullans lifted the Chronicle Cup after a tense battle against the team of the moment Bushmills United, again at Coleraine Showgrounds and it was ‘keeper Davy Taggart who was the hero of the day stopping two penalties in the resulting shoot-out after extra time.

Back row, from left:

Keith Barbour, Gareth Mitchell, Rodney Mitchell, Mervyn McKee, Davis Taggart, Eddie Ferguson, Stephen Tosh, Derek Kennedy, Gregory McDaid, Jason Campbell, Derek Watton.

Kneeling:

Philip Anderson, Paul Wilmott, William Bacon, Stephen Brown, Michelle Gartland, Sponsors; Andy McCormick, David McClelland and Dean Hargan.