He says he was given the lifetime ban by the Football Association following allegations he claims ‘they couldn’t 100% fully say were true or untrue’
The allegations surround East Riding Rangers based in Cottingham (stock photo)
A football club that coaches dozens of children in the Cottingham area has admitted to a safeguarding issue where a coach was able to work with kids despite being under a lifetime ban by the Football Association (FA). Courtney Branagan was coaching kids at East Riding Rangers, despite being handed the lifetime ban by the FA in 2017, forbidding him to work with children in football.
The club has admitted to an “isolated incident” taking place and says it will “continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment” for its members. When contacted by Hull Live, Mr Branagan admitted he received the lifetime ban in 2017, but claimed that the club was aware and “promised it was fine” when he came on board. The club disputes this and claims there was no knowledge of the ban prior to the breach coming to light. Mr Branagan told Hull Live he thought “after ten years something had changed” in regards to his ban. He is no longer at the club and says he is not coaching any more.
Mr Branagan said the FA gave him the ban due to allegations made against him that “they couldn’t 100 per cent fully say were true or untrue.” He said he has no criminal record against him and the allegations were never proven in court. “I know I’ve coached when I shouldn’t have. I’ve got no criminal record against me, the FA tried to ban me because of the allegations, not because I was found guilty.”
East Riding Rangers said “at no point” did they know anyone at the club was subject to an FA ban, prior to becoming aware of the safeguarding breach. A source close to the club, who asked not to be named, said: “There’s nothing more important than kids’ safety. It’s a mess if I’m being honest.
“I’m angry. There’s a lot of anger and a lot of fear and a lot of people worried that this is going to happen again.” He claimed there were many parents planning to move their children to other football clubs in the area.
East Riding Rangers has been running since 2000 and now has over two dozen teams of boys, girls, adults, over 55s and men’s walking football. The club admitted there had been an issue around safeguarding and said it was working with the FA and “reinforced our methods and procedures”. In August, it announced that then-chairman Dave Jackson had been removed from his position.
A statement from East Riding Rangers said: “In August 2026 East Riding Rangers pleaded guilty to an FA charge related to an isolated safeguarding breach. The club committee at no point prior to becoming aware of the safeguarding issue had knowledge of any person associated with the club being subject to an FA ban.
“The club have not and would not allow any individual to be involved in coaching, or offer assurances in relation to FA policy/process, if the club were aware that said individual was subject to an FA ban.
“The club self reported the safeguarding concern to the FA at the earliest opportunity and have acted as transparently as possible during the process. The club continues to provide a safe environment for all its current and future members.”
An FA spokesperson said: “We operate a robust safeguarding programme across every level of English football, and our processes are independently reviewed by NSPCC Sport to ensure they meet the highest standard. We are unable to comment on individual safeguarding matters, including cases that remain active, however we do take the appropriate action against individuals who pose or may pose a risk of harm to children and adults at risk in football. This includes issuing appropriate suspensions in accordance with our safeguarding regulations.”
Hull Live contacted the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to ask about processes for DBS checks in sports clubs. They said that responsibility for applying for DBS checks rests with the organisation that employs or engages the individual, such as a sports club, national governing body or other sports provider. The DCMS urges all organisations, including informal and unaffiliated clubs, to “ensure the right checks are always in place”.
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