Coyne: It’s great to be back with friends

Jul 4 2007 by Mark Currie, Liverpool Daily Post

Wales' goalkeeper Danny Coyne during the UEFA European Championships 2008 Group D qualifying match against Republic of Ireland at Croke Park - Picture: by Zaneta Kukucova/Propaganda _158

GOALKEEPER DANNY COYNE rejoined Tranmere Rovers yesterday and declared: “It’s great to be back.”

The 33-year-old Wales international has signed a two-year deal with the League One outfit after being released by Burnley, following a disappointing spell at Turf Moor.

A knee ligament injury sidelined the Prestatyn-born keeper for almost 12 months, but he battled back to reclaim his international place under Wales manager John Toshack.

Last night Coyne said he was delighted to be back among friends and at the club where he started his professional career – with Rovers manager Ronnie Moore claiming he had captured the best goalkeeper in League One.

“I spoke to Ronnie a couple of times during the break and I’m very pleased at the way things have worked out,” said Coyne.

“It never really happened for me at Burnley so I need to start playing again, to find some consistent form and start enjoying my football once more.

“It was strange feeling coming back to Prenton Park, but it was nice just the same and it’s almost as though I have come home.

“It’s a great move for me because my family and I live in Wirral, which means there will be no upheaval and the commuting to and from work will be a lot easier than it was when I was going to Burnley every day.”

Coyne made 100 appearances for the club during his first spell at Tranmere between 1992 and 1999 before moving on to Grimsby, Leicester City and Burnley and, with 14 caps for his country, has not ruled out a few more.

“If John Toshack still wants me in his plans as a League One player, I’ll be happy to carry on,” he added.

“The other lads in the squad are playing at a higher level so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But there’s no question of me retiring from international football yet and I’ll be available for Wales for as long as I’m wanted.”

Coyne will meet up with his new team-mates at training today, but has already renewed his acquaintance with a few familiar faces, including youth coach Warwick Rimmer, who took him to Prenton Park the first time round.

“I had a great time here before and we were not far away from getting into the Premier League before there was a bit of a downturn in the club’s fortunes,” he said.

“But this is a club with Championship facilities and that’s where Ronnie wants us to be. It’s a great club, which is demonstrated by the fact that so many people keep coming back here and I can’t wait to get into the swing of things.”

Moore said: “Danny is a top quality international goalkeeper who is well known to everybody at the club.

“We beat a number of Championship clubs to his signature and I’m delighted he is part of our squad.

“I honestly believe we’ve got the best goalkeeper in League One with the signing of Danny.”

Coyne is the fourth signing of the summer following Adnan Ahmed, Antony Kay and Ben Chorley.