His regular position was as a forward. He played for Manchester United, Ashton United, Crewe Alexandra, Hyde United, Swindon Town and Glossop North End. His main success in his career came at Swindon Town, when Lou Macari signed him from Hyde United on August 23, 1984.
In 1986-1987 he scored another 12 goals helping Swindon to back to back promotions, this time to Division 2.
Coyne only made 6 appearances in the 1987-1988 season in Division 2,and his last appearance ever for Swindon was away at West Bromwich Albion on 3 September 1988 (his only appearance in the 1988-1989 season). He went out on loan to Aldershot in August 1989 and was eventually released by Swindon in June 1990 when he joined Colne Dynamoes, and later Radcliffe Borough, Glossop North End, and finally Wilmslow Albion.
After retiring from football, Coyne then took his coaching badges with the PFA before starting work with Manchester United Football in the Community scheme where he gained valuable experience working with young people and football players with a disability. After leaving Manchester United, Coyne now works at Manchester Airport.
As Union of European Football Associations B Licence holder, Coyne still actively coaches in the local area, both at primary schools and local junior club, Didsbury Juniors Football Club.
In season 1984-1985 he scored 15 goals (including a run of five consecutive games in March) and finished as the clubs 2nd highest scorer that season, and followed that up in season 1985-1986 with another 14 goals (including a hat-trick at home to Northampton), and won a 4th Division championship medal with Swindon. His goal on the final day at home to Crewe which Swindon won 1–0 ensured Swindon finished the season on a record breaking 102 points. He scored both goals in the opening day fixture away to Bolton Wanderers and probably his most important goal was against Gillingham at the County Ground when he equalised in the play-off final second leg, Swindon eventually won the third match 2–0 to clinch promotion.