Ronnie Coyle
Encyclopedia
Ronnie Coyle was a Scottish
professional footballer who played as a defender
.
and educated at St. Gerard's Secondary School. Coyle played for Celtic Boys Club
and the Scotland Under-15 schoolboy honours team, alongside, among others, Paul McStay
, John Robertson and Ally Dick
, which defeated England
5–4 in 1980.
. After just two appearances and a loan period with Clyde
, Coyle had a brief spell with Middlesbrough
before moving to Rochdale.
After a year with Rochdale, Coyle moved to Kirkcaldy
club Raith Rovers
in 1988. In his eight years with Rovers, Coyle won two First Division titles and a League Cup
, also playing in Raith's only season in Europe. After helping Rovers secure a mid-table finish in the Premier Division
, Coyle moved on to Ayr United
, where he spent a season before similar spells with Albion Rovers and East Fife
. Coyle finished his career with Queen's Park
.
Coyle - who moved out of football and worked in sales and marketing back in his native Glasgow
- was part of a number of former Raith players who lent his weight to the 'Reclaim the Rovers' campaign, taking part in a fundraising walk in the summer of 2005.
In April 2009 Coyle was diagnosed with a form of leukemia for which he was admitted to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. On 1 May 2010 at half time during the match Ross County
, Raith Rovers fans were glad to hear that he was alright. On 27 March 2011 Raith Rovers
hosted a benefit match for him involving their 1994 Coca-Cola Cup winning team and the Celtic
runners-up team with Celtic coming out on top 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Coyle died just weeks later on 12 April 2011 from the disease he had battled. He was survived by his wife Joan and their three children, Kevin, Briony and Georgia.
Ayr United
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional footballer who played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Early life
Coyle was born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and educated at St. Gerard's Secondary School. Coyle played for Celtic Boys Club
Celtic Boys Club
-External links:*...
and the Scotland Under-15 schoolboy honours team, alongside, among others, Paul McStay
Paul McStay
Paul Michael Lyons McStay MBE, nicknamed the Maestro , is a former football player who spent his entire career with Scottish team Celtic F.C., making his debut in 1982 and retiring in 1997. He captained both Scotland and Celtic at all age levels...
, John Robertson and Ally Dick
Ally Dick
Alistair John "Ally" Dick played in the position of midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and AFC Ajax Amsterdam He represented Scotland at schools and youth level.-Football career:...
, which defeated England
England national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
5–4 in 1980.
Career
Coyle began his professional career as a youngster with CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. After just two appearances and a loan period with Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
, Coyle had a brief spell with Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
before moving to Rochdale.
After a year with Rochdale, Coyle moved to Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
club Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
in 1988. In his eight years with Rovers, Coyle won two First Division titles and a League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
, also playing in Raith's only season in Europe. After helping Rovers secure a mid-table finish in the Premier Division
Scottish Football League Premier Division
The Scottish Football League Premier Division was, from 1975 until 1998, the top division of the Scottish Football League and the entire Scottish football league system...
, Coyle moved on to Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
, where he spent a season before similar spells with Albion Rovers and East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
. Coyle finished his career with Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
.
Coyle - who moved out of football and worked in sales and marketing back in his native Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
- was part of a number of former Raith players who lent his weight to the 'Reclaim the Rovers' campaign, taking part in a fundraising walk in the summer of 2005.
In April 2009 Coyle was diagnosed with a form of leukemia for which he was admitted to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. On 1 May 2010 at half time during the match Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
, Raith Rovers fans were glad to hear that he was alright. On 27 March 2011 Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
hosted a benefit match for him involving their 1994 Coca-Cola Cup winning team and the Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
runners-up team with Celtic coming out on top 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Coyle died just weeks later on 12 April 2011 from the disease he had battled. He was survived by his wife Joan and their three children, Kevin, Briony and Georgia.
Honours
Raith Rovers- Scottish First Division: 2
-
- 1992-931992-93 in Scottish footballThe 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
, 1994-951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 1
- Scottish League Cup
- 1994-951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
- 1992-93
Ayr United
- Scottish Second DivisionScottish Football League Second DivisionThe Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
: 1
-
- 1996-971996-97 in Scottish footballThe 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:...
- 1996-97