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v. Glentoran
Danske Bank Premiership
Season 2020-2021
Look at
Linfield
Windsor Park, Belfast
Tuesday,
23 February, 2021
Kick-off: 7.45 p.m.
Danske
Bank
Premiership
Champions
2019-20
Official Matchday Programme: £3 l Volume 50, No.6
w o r d ?
what’s t
fromI Nw
he
i n d s o r UB
L D F O O TBALL CL
FI E
E OF L
THE VOIC
n Today's game is being streamed live by
Linfield tv in partnership with 247.tv Full
n Linfield returned to the top of the Danske commentary is again being provided by
Bank NIFL Premiership table, following last Jonny Martin and former Linfield midfielder
week’s win against Glenavon at Mourneview Philip Mitchell. Full members, senior
Park. The 2-1 win was hard fought and our members and life members have been
players displayed typical Linfield character provided with an email link to access today's
and resilience to bounce back from a half game, with other supporters able to
time deficit, to seal the win. The decisive purchase the link for £7.50 from
winning strike from Jordan Stewart was a 247.tv/niprem Feedback on our previous
goal of the season contender and a goal fit to
Linfield tv productions in partnership with
win any game in any league in the world.
247.tv has been very positive.
There are a lot of league matches scheduled
n Several of our upcoming games are due to be
between now and the end of the season and
broadcast live by BBC. Our home game
last week's win at a tough venue in
against Coleraine will be broadcast live by
Mourneview Park can hopefully instil
BBC TV on Friday January 15, while our away
confidence and momentum to carry the
games at Crusaders and Cliftonville are due
squad forward into today's huge derby
fixture. to be streamed live by BBC online on January
n Government Restrictions arising from the 19 and 26 respectively.
corona virus pandemic are having a huge n Linfield have been drawn at home to Annagh
impact on the local game, with all January United from the NIFL Championship in the
elite sport fixtures only able to take place opening round of the Irish Cup. At present,
behind closed doors. Even tougher there is no date scheduled for this opening
restrictions forced the cancelation of all round of the competition.
fixtures scheduled for December 26 and 29 n Joel Cooper has re-joined the club on loan
and there is no doubt that the absence of from Oxford United until the end of the
supporters at games is leaving a huge hole season and Matthew Shevlin has moved to
in club finances across the country and one Coleraine with the best wishes of everyone at
that will require government subsidy. Our the club.
supporters are greatly missed at our games n With no spectators in attendance at today's
and this club looks forward to the day when it behind closed doors game, programme
will be possible and safe for supporters to production has been scaled back and Linfield
return to their usual vantage points in stands FC would acknowledge the cooperation of our
and terraces around the country. long-standing printers, Edenderry Print in
n Glentoran are today’s visitors to Windsor making this issue of 'Look at Linfield'
Park for this behind closed doors game available online on Linfieldfc.com
which has been delayed since its traditional n The Linfield Superstore is presently closed
Boxing Day date. In the previous game under the current government lockdown
between the two sides, a late Jimmy restrictions and this club would acknowledge
Callacher goal rescued a valuable point in a the support the Online Superstore has
3-3 draw at Windsor Park and a similar close received over the course of the difficult
encounter is expected between the two trading conditions experienced in the past
teams this afternoon. Glentoran are presently nine months,
in seventh position in the league table, with n Belated best wishes to all our supporters for
14 points from their 11 league games played a much happier New Year than we were able
to date. to enjoy in the previous year.
Look at Linfield l 03
today’steamline-ups
Linfield
Chris Johns 01
Glentoran
Elliott Morris 01
William Garrett 02
Alex Moore 40 Marcus Kane 03
David Walsh 51 Luke McCullough 04
Mark Stafford 02 Gael Bigirimana 05
Ross Larkin 03 Chris Gallagher 06
Michael Newberry 04 Jamie McDonagh 07
Mark Haughey 05 Dale Gorman 08
Jimmy Callacher 06 Paul O'Neill 09
Andrew Waterworth 07 Rory Donnelly 10
Christy Manzinga 09 Robbie McDaid 11
Jordan Stewart 10 Andy Mitchell 12
Kirk Millar 12 Cameron Stewart 14
Shayne Lavery 14 Patrick McClean 15
Navid Nasseri 15 Seanan Clucas 16
Bobby Burns 17
Matthew Clarke 16
Rory Brown 18
Kyle McClean 18
Ciaran O'Connor 19
Stephen Fallon 20
Mal Smith 20
Jamie Mulgrew 22 Joe Crowe 21
Ryan McGivern 23 Dayle Coleing 23
Conor Pepper 25 Caolan Marron 24
Niall Quinn 31 Hrvoje Plum 27
Cameron Palmer 35 Jay Donnelly 30
Joel Cooper 99 Keith Cowan 32
Look at Linfield l 04
by Linfield manager David Healy
Today we are sure to face a hugely difficult challenge but one we have been preparing thoroughly
for and looking forward to with eager anticipation.
Glentoran were here at Windsor Park fairly recently and they came very close to leaving with all
three points. Only Jimmy Callacher's last gasp headed equaliser salvaged the 3-3 draw for us, so
we are fully aware of the dangers and threats that our visitors will provide us with today.
Today's game should have been the traditional Boxing Day fixture played in front of the biggest
attendance in local football but instead, the various corona virus restrictions mean that the game
is taking place on today's date and with no supporters in attendance. It's a hugely disappointing
state of affairs for everyone connected with football but one we've alas, all had to get used to due
to the unprecedented circumstances that have taken over all our lives since last March when this
pandemic struck.
Although today's virtually empty stadium will be a strange experience for this particular fixture,
once the referee blows his whistle at 3pm there will be a huge three points at stake and that will
be our sole focus and motivation. We know that lots of our loyal and greatly missed supporters
will be following the action on the live Linfield tv broadcast and we hope we can give them all a
huge boost and lift with a strong performance and positive result in today's vitally important
game.
Last week's game at Mourneview Park got us back in action after an enforced break which saw
the cancellation of the Christmas fixtures. It was a game in which traditional Linfield spirit,
character and resilience saw us emerge victorious on the day. A strong second half display
brought us two excellent goals and the winning strike from Jordan Stewart was stunning in its
execution.
While our win and results elsewhere meant we returned to the top of the table, we know there are
a lot of tough challenges ahead and there will be plenty of twists and turns before the honours are
handed out. We will keep working hard and approaching each game one game at a time and
certainly, there is no bigger fixture than today's, with so much at stake for both clubs.
Joel Cooper will join the squad for today's game, following his on loan signing from Oxford until
the end of the season. We all know what a talent he is and what a welcome addition to our squad
he will be. He has settled back into the squad in training, as if he hadn't been away.
Matthew Shevlin has moved on to Coleraine and I thank him for his efforts and contribution during
his time here and I wish him well in all he does in the future. Brandon Doyle has gone on loan to
Warrenpoint until the season end.
Christy Manzinga misses game two of a three game suspension today and I will complete game
three of a three game suspension today.
It was pleasing to welcome Navid Nasseri and Stephen Fallon back to action, following injury in
last week's win away to Glenavon.
Shayne Lavery missed last week's game at Glenavon with a knock picked up in training and he
will again be a doubt for today’s game. It was pleasing to welcome Alex Moore back to the match
day squad last weekend, following his lay off due to injury.
Rather belatedly, I will conclude by wishing everyone in the Linfield family the happiest and safest
New Year possible in these most uncertain times.
Look at Linfield l 05
who’s
who
rth
Andy Waterwo
at
‘The Park’
Age: 34
er
Position: Strik
ber: 7
Squad num
bs: Kilmore Rec.,
Previous clu
ilton Acc. and
Distillery, Ham
Glentoran
327 (41 as sub)
Appearances:
Goals: 183
Linfield striker Andy Waterworth knows all
about the ‘Big Two’ derby with Glentoran,
having experienced it from both sides and he
believes The Blues need to be better than they
were in last week’s 2-1 win away to Glenavon.
“A lot of things go out the window in a ‘Big
Two’ derby. Tactics and everything else only
get you so far in these games as they’re blood
and thunder affairs. We will need to be better
but maybe it’s the best thing ahead of a derby
that you haven’t been at your best because it
gives you a kick up the backside.”
Asked whether set-plays could play a part in
today’s derby, Andy admits that defending
them has been a concern for Linfield this
season.
“Corners have been our Achilles heel and
funny enough, I delivered a session for the
Irish FA last summer about set-pieces and in
2016-17 I felt we won the League with set-
pieces, whereas in 2017-18 I felt we lost it on
set-pieces. Normally, we have the three big
lads at the back – Haughey, Stafford and
Callacher – whereas this year we are a bit
smaller and we are having to work harder to
try and sort that.”
There had been much debate and uncertainty
in the week leading up to the game as to
whether the Irish League would escape the NI
Executive’s tightening of restrictions following
a spike in positive Coronavirus cases in
recent weeks. However, it has been given the
thumbs up to continue and it’s very much
game on. Some Irish League players have
publicly raised concerns about continuing,
and Andy has given an honest view on it, as
well as playing without fans and trying to lift
their spirits during the current lockdown.
Look at Linfield l 06
“I have mixed views on it. From a selfish point of view, I want it to continue because I love playing
football and whilst everything else is cancelled, it gives you a bit of focus and gives you an out.
However, I can understand from a safeguard point of view that football is secondary and I think that
players should be tested, if I’m honest. It’s okay for us but we could be going home to family members
who could be vulnerable to the virus, so you’d be worried about that. Whether the testing would come
from executive funding or whatever, I don’t know.
“I am intrinsically motivated because I love playing football and will until I retire. My motivation is to do
my best for myself and for the team, but yes, it isn’t the same without the fans and that is difficult. We
were chatting on the bus home from Mourneview on Saturday and we were saying that normally you’d
have had a packed stadium at Mourneview, especially close to Christmas. The fans get you through
some games and are very much a part of why you do what you do. I think not having our fans has been
really detrimental for Linfield because we are the biggest supported team in the land and when you
need them, they are there for you. Even the wee things like running out to a bit of noise or when you
score a goal there’s no noise and you’re thinking, ‘Is that a goal, or..?’
The less I think about it and dwell on it the better, because it gets me down.
“There maybe is an extra wee bit of incentive because things in the country are doom and gloom at the
moment. As a Chelsea fan, I know that the result can make or break your weekend. Playing for Linfield
you do feel that extra bit of pressure now that fans can’t get to games now and you want them to be
proud of the performance or result. It has brought to light how important fans are, not just here but in
England as well. If you flick the TV on, there’s no fan noise - it just shows you football is nothing
without the fans. As an aspiring coach watching games on Sky Sports, the first few weeks was fine
hearing the voices but after that, you realise what a big part fans play.”
The Linfield legend who is always a regular source of goals for the champions believes that
postponements over the coming months will be inevitable, which will lead to teams playing catch-up.
As well as this, the League is very competitive and Waterworth believes whichever team copes best
with the adversity best, will come out on top this season.
“The dynamic of the League has been changing for the past few years and now you’re up against
teams that are full time professionals or teams that are revived. Of course, we have been champions
two years in a row but there will be times where we don’t get things all our own way and that’s been
the case at times this year, but what’s impressed me the most is how we’ve bounced back after the
Larne defeat.
“There might be a lot of ups and downs and a lot of uncertainty for all teams this season and I think
whichever team can cope best with that will come out on top, because there will likely be periods
where the League will be paused and games will be postponed. It’s going to be a different type of
season. If you listen to the Covid guidelines and the news bulletins, you would think to yourself ‘this
could be the last game’ - therefore, the ‘one game at a time’ approach is more important than ever.”
Andy leads the Linfield goalscoring charts with seven goals the season after a great start to the
campaign but felt last week against Glenavon was below par from him, but a wonder goal from Jordan
Stewart helped seal a 2-1 win and Andy heaped praise on the maestro for his goal of the season
contender.
“I am usually my biggest critic but have been pleased with my personal performances this season,
minus the Glenavon game last week. I was disappointed with my performance and felt very heavy
legged and felt the fluidity of the team was wrong, and although we all agreed that our team
performance against Glenavon was missing something, we also felt it was creditable that we still
found a way to win. First half, Glenavon compacted the space where I wanted the ball to feet and my
touch wasn’t on my ‘A game’ - but as a result Glenavon left a big gap and Mark Stafford pointed out
that at half time. Staff and I would chat about the game regularly.
“I knew Jordan Stewart’s goal was in straight away and ironically, he did exactly what I was picturing in
my head. The difference is, he carried it off whereas I couldn’t have done that! That’s what Jordan is
capable of, I love playing with him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is such a personality on and
off the pitch.”
Hopefully, Jordan and Andy will be celebrating more goals and a positive result for Linfield in today's
huge league game at Windsor Park.
Look at Linfield l 07
Facts & Figures
01
40
51
02
03
05
06
07
08
09
A full round-up of the season so far!
Andrew Waterworth
Christy Manzinga
Matthew Shevlin
Jimmy Callacher
n Starting Line-Up n Substitute
Mark Haughey
Mark Stafford
David Walsh
Chris Johns
Ross Larkin
Goals scored are shown inside individual
Alex Moore
boxes
Date Opponent H/A Comp. Result
August 8 Tre Fiori (N) CL 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n
1 n
11 Drita (awarded 3-0 win) (N) CL 3-0 n n n n n n n n n n n
18 Legia Warsaw (A) CL 0-1 n n n n n n n n n n n
September 17 Floriana (H) EL 0-1 n n n n n n n n n n n
October 5 PSNI (H) CAS 6-0 n n n n n n n n n
1 n n
13 Carrick Rangers (A) CAS 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n n
17 Carrick Rangers (H) Prem. 5-1 n n n n n n n
1 n
3 n n n
24 Ballymena United (A) Prem. 3-2 n n n n n n n n n n n
30 Crusaders (H) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n
1 n n n
November 3 Larne (A) CAS 1-4 n n n n n
1 n n n n n n
7 Portadown (A) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n
1 n n n
14 Coleraine (A) Prem. 2-0 n n n n n n n n
1 n n n
21 Glenavon (H) Prem. 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n n
24 Glentoran (H) Prem. 3-3 n n n n n n n
1 n n n n
28 Warrenpoint (A) Prem. 1-2 n n n n n n n n n n n
December 5 Cliftonville (H) Prem. 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n n
11 Larne (A) Prem. 1-3 n n n n n n n n n n n
19 Dungannon (H) Prem. 4-0 n n n n n n n
2 n
1 n n n
January 2 Glenavon (A) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n n n n
23 Warrenpoint (H) Prem. 6-0 n n n n n n n n
4 n n n
26 Cliftonville (A) Prem. 3-4 n n n n n n n n n n n
February 2 Portadown (H) Prem. 3-0 n n n n n n n n n n n
6 Crusaders (A) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n
1 n n n n
n n n n n n n n n n n
NIFL STATEMENT
9 Carrick Rangers (A) Prem. 1-1
20 Coleraine (H) Prem. 0-0 n n n n n n n n n n n
23 Glentoran (H) Prem.
26 Larne (H) Prem.
The NI Football League are pleased to
March 2 Glentoran (A) Prem.
confirm that the Covid-19 testing
6 Cliftonville (H) Prem.
programme for Premiership clubs
9 Warrenpoint (H) Prem.
and officials has now been extended.
16 Dungannon (H) Prem.
Last month the NI Football League, in
20 Crusaders (A) Prem.
partnership with the Irish Football
23 Ballymena (A) Prem.
Association, successfully introduced
27 Portadown (A) Prem.
April 3 Dungannon (A) Prem.
weekly Covid-19 testing for an initial
6 Coleraine (H) Prem.
four week period.
10 Larne (A) Prem.
Following a scheduled review of the
17 Carrick Rangers (H) Prem.
testing, the programme will continue
20 Ballymena (H) Prem.
24 Glenavon (A) Prem.
TBA Annagh United (H) IC
Look at Linfield l 08
10
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
31
32
99
Eamon Scannell
Matthew Clarke
Jamie Mulgrew
Ryan McGivern
Jordan Stewart
Brandon Doyle
Stephen Fallon
Shayne Lavery
Joshua Archer
Conor Pepper
Navid Nasseri
Daniel Kearns
Kyle McClean
Bastien Hery
Joel Cooper
Ethan Boyle
Niall Quinn
Kirk Millar
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for a further four weeks with this second phase made possible following a generous
contribution from both Linfield FC and Coleraine FC as the clubs that represented the league
in UEFA Club Competitions this season.
NI Football League Chairman Gerard Lawlor said, ‘’The health and wellbeing of players,
coaches and officials remains paramount to the NI Football League and the continuation of
testing alongside strict compliance to Covid-19 protocols gives everyone involved a level of
reassurance.
“On behalf of the NI Football League, I would like to express sincere gratitude to Linfield and
Coleraine for supporting this next phase of testing following their successful exploits in
European competitions.’’
Phase two of the testing programme begins the week commencing Monday 15 February with
all participating players, coaches and match officials being tested as before.
Look at Linfield l 09
Test your knowledge!
1. Chris Gunter is the most capped player for which country?
2. Who was the last side to beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final?
3. When Manchester United beat Barcelona 2-1 in the 1991
European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, who scored both their goals?
4. Which member of the Linfield Ladies side made her international
debut against Belarus in October?
5. The late Eric Morecambe was a director of which club?
Answers
6. Which squad number did Cristiano Ronaldo first wear when he
on page
joined Real Madrid?
21
Wishing Linfield FC every success for Season 2020/2021!
PETER DORNAN & COMPANY
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Look at Linfield l 10all the facts & figures from 2020-2021 season
earances
Linfield App -2021
0
& Goals 202 App.
LINFIELD PLAYING RECORD 2020-21
P W D L F A
Danske Bank Premiership 18 12 3 3 44 20
Goals
5 County Antrim Shield 3 2 0 1 9 4
23 (1 as sub) 5
UEFA Champions League 2 1 0 1 2 1
Niall Quinn 22 Europa League 1 0 0 1 0 1
Kirk Millar 5
er 21 (1 as sub) Total: 24 15 3 6 55 26
Jimmy Callach 21 (2 as sub)
1
Jam ie M ul grew 9
21 (4 as sub)
Jordan Stewart 20
–
Chris Johns 11 LINFIELD PLAYING RECORD 2019-20
rth 20 (8 as sub) P W D L F A
Andrew Waterwo 20 (2 as sub)
–
Kyle M cC lea n 3 Danske Bank Premiership 31 22 3 6 71 24
19 (6 as sub) Co. Antrim Shield 2 1 1 0 7 3
Navid Nasseri 18 (2 as sub)
–
Mark Haughey 9 League Cup 4 3 0 1 10 7
17 (3 as sub) UEFA Champions League 2 0 0 2 0 6
Shayne Lavery 15 (1 as sub)
–
Conor Pepper – UEFA Europa League 6 4 1 1 12 9
14 (1 as sub) UTU Champions Cup 2 0 1 1 1 7
Matthew Clarke 13 (4 as sub)
1
Stephen Fallon 1 Irish Cup 1 0 0 1 1 2
11 (7 as sub) 1 Total: 48 30 6 12 102 58
Bastien Hery 9 (8 as sub)
ga
Tonight’s Fixtures:
Christy Manzin –
8 (1 as sub) 1
Mark Stafford 7
Ross Larkin –
Portadown ( ) Larne ( )
6 (3 as sub) 1
Daniel Kearns 6 (4 as sub)
Cliftonville ( ) Ballymena United ( )
Ryan McGivern 4
–
Carrick Rangers ( ) Coleraine ( )
Ethan Boyle –
4 (1 as sub) 1
Dungannon Swifts ( ) Glenavon ( )
Joel Cooper 4 as sub
Matthew Shevlin 3
–
David Walsh –
3 (2 as sub) –
Brandon Doyle 1
Alex Moore 1
1 as sub
Joshua Archer
Follow, follow Linfield!
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLinfieldFC
@OfficialBlues
Twitter:
Look at Linfield l 11past
players
from our
Glenn Ferguson
by James Kennedy
Few players spend over 10 years at
Linfield, and 28-year-old Glenn
Ferguson wouldn’t have expected to
be one of them when he signed in
1998. However, Spike was awarded a
Testimonial by the club in 2008.
“I almost signed for The Blues seven
years earlier, but I had only spent one
season at Glenavon and was afraid
that things could go wrong”.
Dundonald lad Glenn played for
Dungoyne Boys FC from the age of 10
in a team filled with players who
would go on to play in the Irish
League.
“We had Philip Knell, Jason Allen, Rab Campbell, all future Linfield players, and our
goalkeeper was Paul Kee, who played for Northern Ireland. We won loads of
trophies, including one held at Fulham’s Craven Cottage”.
Glenn moved to Ards as a teenager, like many of his Dungoyne teammates, and
made his senior debut against Glenavon, scoring the game’s only goal. But it wasn’t
all plain sailing, and in 1990 Glenn was released by the club.
“I went to Fisher Body, scored a few goals, then Glenavon manager Terry Nicholson
signed me and I got 37 goals in my first season with him”. Hence the interest from
Linfield!
Look at Linfield l 12The early 1990s were a good period for Glenavon, regularly winning Cup
competitions, and they were also involved in that unforgettable day in 1994 when the
Gibson Cup was presented to Linfield after Glenavon drew with Portadown.
Another Irish Cup success followed in 1997, but Glenn was disappointed to see
some of his teammates leave, and when David Jeffrey came calling in early 1998, it
was off to Windsor Park. The fee was £55,000 for the prolific striker.
“I spoke to a few clubs, including Glentoran, but despite being offered more money
elsewhere, The Blues were the club for me”.
There then followed a golden period for Glenn and the club, with 6 League titles and
4 Irish Cup wins. Individually, 3 Ulster Player of the Year awards also.
Never one to do things by half, Glenn’s 500th career goal was scored in a 3-2
comeback win over Crusaders in the CIS Cup final of 2008.
European football was also a regular event for Glenn, and his most memorable tie
was against Omonia Nicosia.
“Cyprus in the summer is hot, and we had to train at 7 in the morning. It didn’t help
that the air conditioning was turned off before the game, and we lost 5-1. I got our
goal, and some of the lads said to me that they thought we had a chance!”.
In fact, we almost did, winning 5-3 in the home leg.
Glenn’s name was also known outside of these shores, with Raith Rovers and
Casino Salzburg keen, but with a young family and a steady job, neither offer really
appealed.
With 5 caps, Glenn also made it on to the international scene, where he never looked
out of place, and he had some great relationships with his fellow internationals.
“I got on well with Keith Gillespie and Neil Lennon. I also became really good friends
with David Healy”.
Eventually Glenn left Linfield for Lisburn Distillery in 2009, and in 2011 he hung his
boots up to become manager of Ballymena Utd, where he secured 2 Co. Antrim
Shields for the Co. Antrim club.
His friendship with David Healy resulted in Glenn being appointed Director of the
Linfield Academy, where he is currently in charge of guiding the stars of tomorrow.
“I work alongside Willie McKeown, ensuring that players like Charlie Allen and Dale
Taylor make it to the right clubs across the water”.
Glenn’s son Matthew is another who knows where the net is. Currently with Harland
& Wolff Welders, the young Ferguson is rehabilitating after an injury and should
return to action in early 2021.
In the meantime, Ferguson senior has kept his coaching Pro Licence up to date.
Would he go back into management?
“If the right club came along, I’d consider it”.
Look at Linfield l 13Welcome return for Ladies striker
Alison
In June 2018 Linfield striker Alison
Smyth suffered a horrendous
double leg break in a league game
away to Sion Swifts.
After a long road to recovery,
Alison featured as a sub in
Linfield's defeat away to
Anderlecht in the UEFA Women's
Champions League in early
November.
She followed this up with two
assists in a 3-2 league win at
Solitude and then scored the only
goal in a 1-0 league win at
Seaview.
Alison displayed remarkable
bravery to return to the Sion
venue where she suffered the
injury and scored the equaliser
in the same goalmouth in a 2-2
draw.
She is pictured after scoring in a
4-2 league win against Sion
Swifts at New Midgley Park and
finished the league campaign
with a further goal in a 4-0 home
win against Derry City.
This afternoon’s officials:
Referee: Raymond Crangle
Linesmen: Kristian Hanna and Mark O’Brien
4th Official: Ross Dunlop
Look at Linfield l 15Conor
Pepper
Kirk Millar
Mark
Stafford
Look at Linfield l 16David
Walsh
Conor
Pepper
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Windsor Park, Belfast
Linfield 2 – Cliftonville 0
Danske Bank Premiership
Kirk
Millar
Kyle
McClean
Shayne Lavery
Look at Linfield l 17WILLIAM COATES
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Look at Linfield l 18Irish Football Association and NIFL thank
National Lottery Players for their support
£450k support package from The National Lottery gives lifeline to all NI Football League clubs
The Irish FA is delighted to announce that all Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) clubs
will each receive a share of £450k of financial support as part of a unique partnership with
The National Lottery.
The partnership with The National Lottery will benefit all men’s and women’s clubs in the NI
Football League. It will provide vital support as clubs are either forced to play without fans or
not able to play football at all, owing to COVID-19 restrictions. As a thank you, National Lottery
players, who make a difference every time they buy a ticket, will also get a range of benefits –
including free tickets once stadia have fully reopened and VIP experiences with the Northern
Ireland national side.
The clubs are important parts of their communities and the funding recognises their role
beyond just a 3pm kick off on a Saturday afternoon. They provide a source of pride to their
local areas and have been at the heart of their communities through the duration of the
pandemic.
The funds will play a key role in ensuring that the clubs can continue to exist and operate
during the pandemic. The money will be distributed by the Irish FA to clubs ensuring their
continued survival. Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive Officer for the Irish FA, said: “Thanks to
National Lottery players, football clubs are able to protect and enhance the crucial work they
do serving their communities right across Northern Ireland. We’re delighted to play our role
in this brilliant initiative.”
Andrew Johnston, Managing Director of the NI Football League, said, “This funding is a huge
boost to our member clubs at a particularly desperate time. We would like to express our
sincere thanks to The National Lottery for their support in safeguarding the immediate future
of our clubs.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, said, “Men’s and women’s clubs in
the NI Football League play a vital role in their local communities, and have been facing tough
times recently because of coronavirus restrictions. We are extremely grateful to The National
Lottery for this vital funding package, which will go a long way in helping these clubs keep
going until fans are safely able to return to grounds and stadia.”
Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, said, “The National Lottery
and its players make a massive difference to communities across the UK day in, day out –
and have been doing so for the past 26 years. So we’re really delighted to be working with the
Irish Football Association
to support these incredibly
important clubs in the
Northern Ireland Football
League, enabling them to
continue playing such an
important role in their
local communities. I am a
huge football fan and I
think all fans will be
delighted to know that
their clubs are getting the
support they need.
Look at Linfield l 19by Dan Brown
Missing that Community Feeling
Pride of place at home is a Youth Season
Ticket from the 2000/01 campaign signed by
Noel Bailie. To a young fan, Noel was a hero.
He epitomised everything there was to love
about football and about Linfield.
Both fearless and a cultured footballer Noel
represented the club with distinction. This
brief pen portrait of Bailie is what anyone who
watched the club over those years would
expect to hear.
Noel Bailie’s name is spoken in reverential
tones around Windsor, such is the respect he
still commands a decade after he retired.
Noel of course played for over two decades at
the club, and in that time played alongside many a club legend. One such legend was Glenn
Ferguson who arrived in the winter of 1998.
Leading the line with power, skill and an eye for goal, Ferguson like Bailie was revered at
Windsor. Unsurprisingly then an
artefact from Glenn also takes
pride of place at home.
A Christmas card, which I received
from ‘Spike’ in the winter of 1999
made that festive period
particularly special.
A signed season ticket and a
Christmas card may seem on the
surface pretty inconsequential
possessions to hold dear. However,
it is their associations with players
and what they mean to supporters
of a club that makes a simple
artefact take on much greater
significance.
Look at Linfield l 20At a club like Linfield where the players are accessible – unlike at clubs where players are
millionaires living a lifestyle most of us can’t relate to – the relationship with fans can be very
special.
The club’s open days are a chance when heroes on the pitch take the time to chat with those
who come watch them week in week out. There is something very special about the
relationship between players and fans at this level of football.
Covering our fortunes in Copenhagen in 1993, Chris Lightbown of the Sunday Times noted the
following as he observed fans and players meeting in the Danish capital:
“At their hotel in central Copenhagen last week, players, directors and fans milled around the
lobby as if they were friends and neighbours, which in many cases they are.
“Players earnestly discussed their chances with some of the 900 or so fans who had flown
out.
“There had been an attempt to keep the team’s location a secret from the fans, to give the
players as much rest as possible, but that was a forlorn exercise in a club, where the captain
is on first-name terms with easily 10% of the crowd”.
The bond that Lightbown described between players and supporters in the early 90s is still
something present today. It is something to cherish and something to be proud of. Linfield
may be a footballing institution, but thankfully there is a homely and community feeling at the
club.
That feeling of community is no doubt missed greatly in what have been pretty depressing
days. For those who derive so much
pleasure out of attending games and
enjoying the community feeling you get
at Windsor this past year has been
difficult.
It is frustrating not cheering on the
players we have a bond with. It’s
disappointing we can’t be there to
celebrate winning goals and the
success that the team enjoys.
Thinking of my signing season ticket
and my Christmas card, I am easily
reminded of the connection our players
have with supporters like I. It will be a
special day when there are no
restrictions and we are back in
cheering the Mulgrews, Callachers and
Waterworths again!
In the meantime hopefully our players
stay safe and whatever happens to the
rest of the season, we trust they like
our supporters will stay safe.
Quiz Answers: (1) Wales; (2) Hibernian; (3) Mark Hughes; (4) Abbie
Magee; (5) Luton Town; (6) 9.
Look at Linfield l 21Niall
Quinn
Mark
Stafford
Shayne
Lavery
Kyle
McClean
Look at Linfield l 22Matthew
Clarke
Kirk Andrew
Millar Waterworth
Friday, December 11, 2020
Inver Park, Larne
Larne 3 – Linfield 1
Danske Bank Premiership
Mark
Stafford Look at Linfield l 23Death of Man. City legend
Linfield FC records with profound sadness the
passing on Tuesday of Manchester City and
England legend, Colin Bell.
It was Colin Bell who scored the goal in City’s
1-0 European Cup Winners Cup first round,
first leg win against Linfield at Maine Rd on
September 16, 1970 and he featured in the
Windsor Park return leg a fortnight later.
Linfield’s Billy Millen who scored both goals
in our 2-1 second leg win, sadly passed
away in October, shortly after the 50th
anniversary of the European ties between
our two clubs.
The deepest sympathy of everyone at
Linfield FC has been conveyed at this sad
time to the Bell family circle and to all our
friends at his beloved Manchester City FC.
Colin Bell scores past Linfield
keeper Derek Humphreys at
Maine Road, Manchester.
Look at Linfield l 24Players on the move
22 year old Matthew Shevlin has moved to Coleraine on the opening of the January
transfer window.
He signed for Linfield in August 2019 and made his debut as a sub in a 1-0 league
win away to Cliftonville on September 7, 2019.
His first goal came in a 5-1
County Antrim Shield home win
against East Belfast on
September 11, 2019. Brandon
Doyle Matthew
His final game turned out to be Shevlin
as a sub in a 2-1 defeat away to
Warrenpoint on November 28,
2020.
In total he made 21 appearances
(including 18 as sub) and scored
2 goals.
22 year old Brandon Doyle has joined Warrenpoint Town on loan until the end of the
season.
Brandon had a previous spell on loan with Warrenpoint where he joins up with
another on loan Linfield forward Adam Carroll.
Jimmy Callacher receives the Ronnie Morrison
sponsored Man of the Match award from kit
manager Gary Eccles following the recent
home game against Dungannon Swifts.
Look at Linfield l 25Andrew
Waterworth
Kyle
McClean
Shayne Lavery
Shayne
Lavery
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Windsor Park, Belfast
Linfield 4 – Dungannon 0
Danske Bank Premiership
Look at Linfield l 26Mark Haughey
and Jimmy Callacher
Bastien
Hery
Andrew
Waterworth
Look at Linfield l 27Frustrating season so far for
Today’s visitors – Glentoran
Glentoran Robbie
Glentoran go into this rescheduled McDaid
‘Big Two’ derby clash at Windsor
Park sitting seventh in the Danske
Bank Premiership table, 14 points
behind Linfield but with a game in
hand. The Glens will take heart from
their last visit to Windsor which was
just six weeks ago, when they were
seconds away from victory before
Jimmy Callacher popped up for
Linfield at the back post to make it 3-
3.
It has been a frustrating season for
Glentoran so far, despite several
major signings in the summer. They
started the League campaign with a
stutter and on top of that, they had
several matches postponed due to
Covid-related issues, as well as
International call-ups. On top of this,
they also endured the
disappointment of losing the County
Antrim Shield final on penalties
against Larne.
Despite coming close on their aforementioned recent visit to Windsor, Mick McDermott’s men
are yet to record an away win in the League this season, having lost away to Cliftonville,
Crusaders and Coleraine, as well as draws at Windsor and Ballymena. They will hope that
changes against Linfield and no motivational team-talks are ever required for this historic
derby fixture.
Look at Linfield l 28Seanan Clucas and Dayle Coleing were both sent off in their last trip to Windsor but both are
expected to be available for the derby. Gibraltar international goalkeeper Dayle Coleing had a
night to forget that night and although he has played in most matches for Glentoran this
season, he was dropped to the bench for last week’s 2-1 win over Portadown as Northern
Ireland U21 and former Institute goalkeeper Rory Brown started in goal. An outside shot is
veteran ‘keeper Elliot Morris who is now third choice but still reliable and is doing a bit of
goalkeeper coaching at the Oval club.
Highly rated young forward Paul O’Neill – who scored in the 3-3 draw at Windsor six weeks
ago – was also on the bench last week. The Glens have also since welcomed influential
Croatian midfielder Hrvoje Plum back from injury, whilst former Glenavon defender Rhys
Marshall made his Glens debut last week after signing from Shamrock Rovers and he could
potentially have an interesting battle against his former teammate Joel Cooper. All this
makes for a selection headache for Mick McDermott, who’s been leaving experienced players
like Andy Mitchell out of his squad in recent weeks, such is their squad depth.
Robbie McDaid is Glentoran’s talisman in attack and it was he who thought he’d struck a late
winner in their last visit to Windsor Park. No player scored more goals in the Danske Bank
Premiership in the calendar year of 2020 than McDaid and it would seem just a matter of who
joins him in the front three. Paul O’Neill normally features, whilst Jay Donnelly has been in
form since his summer transfer from Belfast Celtic. Another wide option is Rory Donnelly
who hasn’t been in much form since he became a marquee signing from Cliftonville this time
last year. There’s also Jamie McDonagh who signed from Derry City but has rarely featured.
Although this game was moved back from the original Boxing Day date and is being played
without fans, it might not be the same match-day experience but it will still mean so much to
both clubs. The Glens will see this match as a potential opportunity for the lift that could kick-
start their season and perhaps set-plays could play a part in deciding the game. Both Linfield
and Glentoran conceded from corners last weekend, and they both also scored from free-
kicks, incidentally.
Danske Bank Premiership League Table 2020-21
P. W. D. L. F. A. Points
Linfield 18 12 3 3 44 20 39
Larne 19 10 6 3 33 17 36
Crusaders 19 10 3 6 37 24 33
Coleraine 18 9 4 5 26 19 31
Cliftonville 20 8 5 7 30 24 29
Glentoran 16 6 6 4 26 15 24
Ballymena United 17 7 2 8 23 19 23
Glenavon 16 5 6 5 26 28 21
Warrenpoint Town 17 4 5 8 15 29 17
Carrick Rangers 16 3 3 10 17 36 12
Portadown 17 2 6 9 18 38 12
Dungannon Swifts 17 3 3 11 10 36 12
Look at Linfield l 29LINFIELD SHIRT SPONSORS 2020-2021
PLAYER SHIRT NO. SPONSOR SPONSOR SPONSOR
Chris Johns 1 Aaron Cully Lukas Martin Paul Clydesdale
Mark Stafford 2 In Memory of Eddie McCurry Michael Lusty Aaron Butler
Ross Larkin 3 Mikey- Carrick True Blues Graham Larkin
Mark Haughey 5 Dougie Craig Jim Haughey Stupid Priced Plants. Bill Love
Jimmy Callacher 6 “Peter, Andrew & Suzanne Rollins” 1st South Belfast LSC Andrew Jordan
Andrew Waterworth 7 East End Blues Bangor LSC William Lewis
Matthew Shevlin 8 Ciggy Vapes (NI) Ltd York Star LSC
Christy Manzinga 9 Linfield Supporters Trust Alan Campbell Wm Coates
(Sponsored by Paul Weir)
Jordan Stewart 10 Gary W Dickson & Co. Norman Davison Ciggy Vapes (NI) Ltd.
Kirk Millar 12 East End Blues Aaron Cully Paul Clydesdale
Shayne Lavery 14 Keith Ferson Robbie Speers Sammy & Wesley McFarland
Navid Nasseri 15 Robbie Speers Ryan McCullough Adam Wilson
& Jenna Dickson
Matthew Clarke 16 North Time + Data Dougie Craig Mackey Hepburn
Daniel Kearns 17 Ballymoney Supporter Fife Loyal Rangers SC
Kyle McClean 18 Bangor LSC Mikey-Carrick True Blues
Brandon Doyle 19 Rhys & Zara Dickson David Quinn
Stephen Fallon 20 The Kennedy Family Wm Coates Kirsty Leigh Blair
(Sponsored by Paul Weir)
Bastien Hery 21 Teddy Murray Henry Hughes Gordon Markey
Jamie Mulgrew 22 “Jaden,Alisha & Chantelle Henderson” Discount Blinds David Sales
Ryan McGivern 23 Jackies Quality Meats Roy McGivern
Ethan Boyle 24 QMS Insight Jim Nelson
Conor Pepper 25 Jonathan Wilson Springdale LSC Zoe & Ryan McFarland
Niall Quinn 31 WJM Building Services WJM Building Services Darren Gaw
Alex Moore 40 Urban Fitness Dundonald Thomas Moore
Look at Linfield
Trai Hume 48 1st Mid ShankillLSC Jamesy Robertson Davy Downes
David Healy Manager Brian Close Transport WJM Building Services Robbie Speers
l 30Linfield Footb
(Founded Marc all Club
Linfield Football Club Limited h 1886)
2020-2021 Linfield Footba
by millworkers
ll Club, formed
in March, 1886,
Peter Lunn M.B.E.
in the Sandy Ro
Belfast, is the la w area of
President: Roy McGivern rgest, most succ
Chairman: Ireland. The Be essful club in
Stephen Dickson lfast Blues have
Vice-Chairman: Pat Fenlon
unsurpassed in
Irish football an
a playing record
General Manager: Richard Johnson stadium is the d Windsor Park
Hon. Treasurer: home of the N
Andrew Conn international te orthern Ireland
Hon. Secretary: am.
ors
Board of DirectJac Johnson,
k Grundie, Richard HONOURS:-
Trustees: Dr. Cameron Irish League Ch
Peter Lunn M.B.E., • 1890/91, 1891
ampionship –
54 times
Stuart
Ramsey, Paul Weir, /92, 1892/93, 18
94/95, 1897/98,
ath an W ilson, 1901/02, 1903/0
Gilmore, Jon 1910/11, 1913/14,
4, 1906/07, 1907
/08, 1908/09,
Da vid Sa les 1921/22, 1922/23
en Dickson, 1933/34, 1934/35 , 1929/30, 1931/3
Andy Conn, Steph , 1948/49, 1949/5 2,
Elected Members: en Shaw, 1954/55, 1955/5 0, 1953/54,
David Strain, Steph 1965/66, 1968/6
6, 1958/59, 1960
/61, 1961/62,
ds , Ro y McGivern, 9, 1970/71, 1974
Irvine Woo 1978/79, 1979/8 /75, 1977/78,
ie Mo rris on, Jon athan 0, 1981/82, 1982
Ro nn 1984/85, 1985/8 /83, 1983/84,
ew Mc Co ubrey. 6, 1986/87, 1988
Lamont, Dr 1993/94, 1999/0 /89, 1992/93,
0, 2000/01, 2003
Linfield Str:aff 2006/07, 2007/0 /04, 2005/06,
8, 2009/10, 2010
David Healy MBE 2016/17, 2018/19, /11, 2011/12,
Team Manage 2019/20.
Ross Oliver Irish F.A. Challe
Assistant Manager: nge Cup – 43 tim
Co ac h: Ricky McCann • 1890/91, 1891 es
Fitness /92, 1892/93, 18
pis t: Terry Hayes 1898/99, 1901/0 94/95, 1897/98,
Sports Thera 2, 1903/04, 1911/
Patrick Noble 1915/16, 1918/19, 12, 1912/13, 1914/1
Medical Officer: 1921/22, 1922/23 5,
nage r: Gary Eccles 1930/31, 1933/34 , 1929/30,
Kit Ma
g Co ach : Johnny Williamson 1945/46, 1947/4
, 1935/36, 1938/
39, 1941/42, 1944
Goalkeepin 8, 1949/50, 1952 /45,
ist : Paul Butler /53, 1959/60,
Physiotherap 1961/62, 1962/6
r: Glenn Ferguson 3, 1969/70, 1977
Academy Directo .,Billy Kennedy, 1981/82, 1993/9 /78, 1979/80,
: Noel Bailie M.B.E 4, 1994/95, 2001
Hon. Vice-Presidents 2006/07, 2007/0 /02, 2005/06,
Jim Kerr 8, 2009/10, 2010
chael Jones, 2016/17. /11, 2011/12,
Andy Kerr, M.B.E., Mi ikle, Gary
Vice-Presidents: Me
Robert Neill, Glenn
rt, Norman League Cup (City
Dickson, Jacky Stewa Cup): 30 times
Gold Cup: 31 tim winners.
Morrow es winners.
Kenny Mc Keagu e Ulster Cup: 15
Hon. Trainer: times winners.
Andy Kerr M.B.E. Co. Antrim Sh
Hon. Team Attend: ield: 43 times wi
me
Official PrograAnmdre
All-Ireland Cu
p: 4 times winn
nner
s.
w Conn Budweiser Cup: ers.
Editor: b Once.
Linfield Football Clu Bus. Coca-Cola Cup:
Publisher: M. , Un it 10B, Argy le 3 times winner
s.
EP Setanta Sports
Printer: 2AU.
Centre, Belfast BT13 Cup: Once.
Tel: (028) 9074 0192
Alan Kirkpatrick
Design & lay-out:
her: Colin McMaster
Photograp
European Record: Played Won Drew Lost For Against
122 24 32 66 116 220
• Linfield have competed in the European Cup over 31 seasons, in the European Cup Winners’ Cup over three, the
European Fairs Cup over two, the UEFA Cup in six and seven in the Europa League. In 1966/67 Linfield reached
the quarter-finals of the European Cup, losing by the odd goal to CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria.
Look at Linfield l 31You can also read
