Howard Beverland feels privileged to be back at Coleraine

The central defender has spent the last four years with Crusaders after coming through the ranks at The Showgrounds.

The Bannsiders have gone from strength to strength under Oran Kearney and Beverland is hoping he can help add to the success.

“It was wonderful to have had the opportunity to have come through the club at 17 through the days when we weren’t competing,” said the 30-year-old.

“We would have been competitive but not competing across all levels.

“To have come through those days and to have been part of building the club to come back with the club in an incredible place it’s a privilege. It’s great to be back again, and be part of where the club is now compared to where it was.

“I’ve watched on very closely from the day and hour I left and all the progress on and off the pitch, and the hunger from the fans.

“I know from having been at another club, players and teams are envious of the support Coleraine have.

“It’s brilliant to come back to and it’s a great challenge.

“Over the years there’s always been part of me that would have wanted to come back here, and that’s how it has worked out.

“That’s football sometimes it works out well for you.

“Moving on from Crusaders is something I initiated myself. I had a year left on my contract, it was a mutual agreement, but I had an issue that I asked to leave, the club would have been keen enough to keep me but I felt it was time for a change and a new challenge.

“I think you always have to keep it fresh, you’re responsible for your own career.

“It’s ultimately down to the choices you make, and when I look back further on down the line I will certainly feel this was a good one.”

Coleraine have won the League Cup and Irish Cup in recent seasons under Kearney, as well as going close to the league title on a couple of occasions.

That’s the one they all want, and Beverland hopes his experience of having lifted the Gibson Cup can prove vital.

“I would hope I can bring that experience with me, I guess that’s maybe how I’ve changed and developed as a player since I was here before,” he said.

“I’ve been privileged to win titles, win cups and play in Europe, I’d like to feel I can bring that to the table.

“There’s a few guys here who have chalked up 200-250 appearances, there’s a great blend and mix, which is the right recipe, you have the hunger and desire of the young players pushing the older players on, and you have the experience of the older players being leaders and role models.

“It’s a great balance. There’s a lot I intend to bring to the table, I’ve always had a hunger and desire to pull on the shirt and play for Coleraine, that hasn’t changed.

“Hopefully if that is the missing piece in the jigsaw, going for the league title, it’s just real consistency over the season and dealing with the pressure of top six games, pushing on and backing yourself.”

Beverland knows there will be a real battle for places in the starting eleven, but it’s one he is relishing.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t want to come back to a club and step straight back in again,” he said.

“Competition attracts you to a club, and you have to embrace it.

“Yes you have to be patient and wait for your opportunity, but competition brings out the best in each other and helps bring the team together.

“I looked at an old squad photo I had up in the house, there have been some changes since then.

“I think Stevie Lowry and Curtis Allen and possibly Michael Doherty are the only ones still here.

“I look at the likes of Stevie and ‘Skinner’, players who were here and left and won trophies before coming back, and they have contributed massively to the club and the success of the club moving forward.

“That’s something I hope to do as well.

“Guys like that have been here before so they know what the club is about, what the fans want and what the manager expects.

“They are at a stage in their career when they are enjoying every year that comes.”

Beverland has also been suitably impressed with the Bannsiders excellent European form in recent weeks.

“It has been incredible. To compete at any level in Europe and get through is a massive achievement in itself,” he said.

“To play against that calibre of opposition, to go to Maribor and come away with that result is something that will go down in the history books.

“The game against Motherwell will probably leave everyone feeling what could have been.

“It’s incredible to see clubs competing at that level and to see the strides that have taken place.”

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