Linfield (Northern Ireland)

The Blues started out playing behind the mill works at The Meadow having been formed in Sandy Row in South Belfast where the team delivered the Irish League title in 1890-91, 1891-92, 1892-93, 1894-95, 1897-98 and 1898-99 before moving to Ulsterville Avenue.

Linfield also lifted the Irish Cup several times throughout the decade with three consecutive victories between 1890-91 and 1892-93 as Ulster were defeated 4-2 which was backed up with a 7-0 win against The Black Watch and then a 5-1 victory over Cliftonville.

Bohemians were hammered 10-1 in 1894-95 before the Cup was lifted in 1897-98 with a 2-0 win over St Columb's Hall Celtic before Glentoran, who would become bitter rivals, were defeated 2-1 twelve months later.

Early goalscoring heroes at the club included Robert Hill, Tim Morrison, Michael McErlean, George Gaukrodger, Joe McAllen, Johnny Darling and Richard Peden before further honours continued to be won while in residence at Ulsterville Avenue.

The Irish League title was secured in 1901-02 and 1903-04 while the Irish Cup was lifted in 1901-02 with a 5-1 win against Distillery before Derry Celtic were defeated by the same score in 1903-04 before Linfield purchased some land off Windsor Avenue to create Windsor Park.

The inaugural game at Windsor Park against Glentoran, although Belfast Celtic were their main rivals at the time. The Irish FA signed a long-term lease at Windsor Park to play their international home games at the stadium.

A further hattrick of league titles arrived at Windsor Park between 1906-07 and 1908-09 with further championships being added in 1910-11 and 1913-14. The Irish Cup was awarded in 1911-12. Glentoran were beaten 2-0 in 1912-13, Belfast Celtic were seen off 1-0 in 2014-15 prior to a replay win over Glentoran the following season.

The Cup returned to Linfield in 1918-19 with another replay win against Glentoran. The following decade saw further Irish Cup triumphs following 2-0 wins against Glenavon in 1921-22 and then Glentoran the following season.

The same victorious seasons were added to with Irish League titles before Linfield were crowned as national champions once again in 1929-30 with Joe Bambrick the star of the show after being signed from Glentoran.

The final decade before World War II saw Linfield win the Irish League in 1931-32, 1933-34 and then for an eighteenth time the following season. Meanwhile, the Irish Cup was won regularly. Ballymena were defeated 4-3 and then 3-0 in the finals of 1929-30 and 1930-31.

Cliftonville were thumped 5-0 in the 1933-34 final which was followed by a 2-0 replay win against Derry City in 1935-36. Ballymena United were defeated 2-0 in 1938-39 prior to 3-1 and then 4-2 triumphs over Glentoran in 1941-42 and 1944-45 before Distillery were defeated in 1945-46.  

The 1947-48 final saw Coleraine overcome 3-0 at the nearby Celtic Park on Donegall Road, home of Belfast Celtic, which shared the final with Windsor Park at the time. Celtic would be very much in the headlines in the following twelve months.

Linfield have always been depicted as a staunch Protestant club, and it was in no small part the actions of their fans that led to Belfast Celtic FC disbanding. On Boxing Day 1948 at the annual Linfield v Celtic game at Windsor Park, the visitors were winning for most of the match until Linfield equalised in the last minute.

Linfield fans invaded the pitch and attacked several Celtic players including centre-forward Jimmy Jones who suffered a broken leg. Belfast Celtic decided that enough was enough after that incident and disbanded at the end of the 1948-49 season.

Without one of their major rivals in the way Linfield won the Irish Cup in 1949-50 with a 2-1 win against Distillery and then lifted the trophy for a twenty sixth time with a 5-0 victory against Coleraine in 1952-53.

The league title was secured in 1949-50, then three consecutive times from 1953-54 to 1955-56 and then again in 1958-59 after Jackie Milburn had been appointed as player-manager as he finished league top scorer on a couple of occasions as his team also won the Irish Cup 5-1 against Ards in 1959-60 before his departure.

Isaac McDowell took over as manager to lead the side to league titles in 1960-61 and 1961-62 with the latter success being added to with the Cup as Portadown were defeated 4-0. Tommy Dickson took over as player-manager to lead his charges to the Irish Cup win in 1962-63 as Distillery were defeated 2-1.

Sammy Pavis provided the goals as Linfield became league champions for a twenty seventh time in 1965-66.  The club had played in European football on several occasions, but the 1966-67 season would see their most notable achievement.

Victories against FC Aris Bonnevoie of Luxembourg and the Norwegian side Valarenga were despatched before CSKA Sofia ended their run as Linfield reached the quarter final of the European Cup.

Ewan Fenton led the team to the Irish League title in 1968-69 prior to lifting the Irish Cup the following season as Ballymena United were overcome 2-1. International star Bryan Hamilton led the way as Linfield won the league in 1970-71 before he was signed by Ipswich Town.

A period of lesser success followed as other clubs caught up while Linfield went through a succession of managers. Billy Campbell led the team to the Irish League title in 1974-75 before the appointment of Roy Coyle who would remain in situ for the next fifteen years.

After a steady start he led the team to a consecutive hat trick of league titles between 1977-78 and 1979-80 with the first and last triumphs doubling up with a 3-1 Cup final win against Ballymena United and then a 2-0 success against Crusaders.

A 2-1 Irish Cup final victory over Coleraine followed in 1981-82 which coincided with the first of an unprecedented five consecutive Irish League titles right through until 1986-87 for Coyle’s magnificent outfit as Martin McGaughey and Trevor Anderson terrorised opposing defences. The inaugural League Cup was also collected in 1986-87 as Crusaders were beaten 2-1.

The league title returned for a fortieth occasion in 1988-89 as Stephen Baxter led the scoring. Coyle would end up helping Linfield to a staggering thirty one trophies during his stint including eleven championships and five Irish Cup wins.

In Coyle's final season a dark reminder of crowd trouble and sectarianism reared its ugly head in an Irish Cup tie at Windsor Park against The Blues latest Catholic rivals, Donegal Celtic. To see the frightening scenes, click here.

In the interest of balance, click on the link below to see the good side of the club as they win the Irish League in dramatic circumstances on the final day of the 1993-94 season after the club had been crowned champions the previous season under former player Anderson. 

Unbelievably, a decisive result in the match between Glenavon and Portadown would have won the league for either side. Ports drew while Linfield beat Glentoran to sneak through and lift the title which can be seen here.

Linfield had lifted the League Cup in 1991-92 when Larne were defeated 3-0. The Irish Cup was also won for a thirty fourth time in 1993-94 following a 2-0 win against Bangor as well as the League Cup with a 2-0 win over Coleraine before the Irish Cup was retained twelve months later when Carrick Rangers were defeated 3-1.

The League Cup would be won three times on the spin from 1997-98 to 1999-00 with a 1-0 and then 2-1 successes against Glentoran followed by a 4-0 dismantling of Coleraine before the competition was won again in 2001-02 as Glentoran were defeated 3-1.

The league was split to include a lower division before Linfield lifted the Premier Division title in 1999-00 and 2000-01 with Davy Larmour putting the goals away for the team of David Jeffrey who would beat Coyle’s long serving record.

Linfield were crowned as Irish Premier League champions in 2003-04 and then for three consecutive seasons between 2005-06 and 2007-08 as Glenn Ferguson and then Peter Thompson put away the goals.

The decade also saw multiple Irish Cup triumphs as Portadown were beaten 2-1 in 2001-02 before a hattrick of triumphs were achieved in the same years as the league wins to complete the double.

A 2-1 win against Glentoran was followed by a win on penalties against Dungannon Swifts before Coleraine were beaten 2-1. Glentoran were put to the sword again in the 2005-06 League Cup final. The same competition was regained through a 3-2 win against Crusaders in 2007-08.

The Irish Cup returned to the Windsor Park cabinet for another three successive campaigns from 2009-10 to 2011-12 while Noel Bailie completed an amazing one thousand competitive appearances for the club from his central defensive role.

Portadown were defeated 2-1 before Crusaders were beaten 2-1 and 4-1 before the departure of Jeffrey in 2014 who’s rein had accrued the same number of trophies as Roy Coyle before he was replaced by Warren Feeney.

Record national goalscorer David Healy was appointed as Linfield manager in October 2015 as Windsor Park overwent major redevelopments. After finding his feet, the new boss led the team to the 2016-17 NIFL Premiership league and Irish Cup double after Coleraine were beaten 3-0.

A lesser double was completed in 2018-19 as a 1-0 League Cup final victory over Ballymena United was matched up with the league title, which was retained twelve months later after the 2019-20 campaign was ended early owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Linfield FC will compete in the NIFL Premiership in the 2020-21 season.

My visits

Glentoran 1 Portadown 0 (Tuesday 2nd February 2010) Co-Operative Insurance League Cup Semi Final (att: approx 1,900)

After a quick bit to eat, a siesta and a welcome warm bath after an open topped city tour and a ride out to Solitude, the home of Cliftonville FC, I set out for the match, but only after some much needed refreshment. I called in on one of the most famous pubs in Ireland, called the Crown Liquor Store. 

It is still in the same lay out as it ever was with private booths and bells to ring for service around the walls. The staff were immaculately decked out. Another pub, Robinson’s was next door so I checked that out for future reference. Then it was over the road to Great Victoria Street Station to catch the train to Adelaide, nearby to Windsor Park.

The station staff didn’t open the doors to the platform until the train approaches over there, so customers stay in the warm area that resembles a small airport. The guards then announce the train and allow you through. I thought it was a nice touch, as well as adding to the required security. The journey took only six minutes. 

We passed the stadium and kept going for a while which slightly concerned me, especially when only one other passenger crossed the bridge towards the ground. I asked him if I was heading the right way and he seemed astonished I’d want to go to such a game when Sky were showing an English match.

I received a shock at Windsor Park, first when the alleyway to the ground was protected by barbed wire and then when I was told the game was all ticket! It's fair to say that I had a bit of a panic on for a minute or two!

This was a measure intended to restrict the handling of cash and fans going in the wrong sections, although common sense prevailed and a cash gate was open. I bought a programme for £2 that covered both semi finals.

I was in the stand opposite the cameras with the Glentoran fans. Only the lower tier was opened. I guess this was to make the crowd look bigger as the match was being shown live on Setanta Ireland. Either end was closed, with the noisy Portadown fans who voiced their dislike for Glentoran all night, in the Main Stand opposite.

Windsor Park was a ground of two halves. The stand I was in, The North Stand had two tiers of seats and the newest structure, The Kop Stand was of a similar design. It was noticeable that there was a moat at the front of the seats to keep fans off the pitch which also means there is no need for obstructive high fencing. 

Where these stands now stood, used to be terracing, open behind the goal and with a roof over part of the side. In the 1950’s the ground could accommodate an amazing 60,000 fans which would pack in for Home International games against England. 

The Railway Stand to the left had a raised section where seats had been fitted into the rear in the 1960’s. It had an open paddock in front. In the far corner a social club/viewing lounge connected the stand with the Main Stand. 

This structure was built in the 1930’s by famous designer, Archibald Leitch. It was basically a seating deck running the length of the touchline with an open terracing in front. The players emerged from the corner between the Main and Kop Stands. Both the Railway and Main Stands were showing signs of age and would go if the clubs proposals for redevelopment were approved.

A familiar face in the shape of Keith Gillespie lined up for the 'Cock and Hens' in a poorish game which was won 1-0 by Glentoran with a first half strike from Andrew Waterworth. I wasn’t upset that Portadown didn’t force an equaliser and force the game into extra time. I was bloody freezing! 

The gate was estimated to be around 1,900, but for some reason (make up your own minds!), cup attendances are never published. My train back wasn’t for 20 minutes so I decided to walk back into town, feeling certain that other Glens fans would do the same as they are a Belfast club. How wrong I was, and before long I seemed to be the only person outdoors. 

I vaguely knew the way back and although I was a bit doubtful for a little while, I was sat with a pint of Guinness in a warm pub in the student area before ten o’clock. I continued and had a little wander about before settling in the two pubs I had started out at. 

Robinson’s opened until one and had traditional music in the separate back room. A quality pizza served from warm and friendly people next to the hotel rounded off a top night.

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

After completing my night shifts I had a brief nap before heading to Gatwick Airport where I took an Easy Jet flight to Belfast. I was heading to the Cliftonville v Carrick Rangers match that evening, but I had time to kill before hand.

After taking the bus into the city from the International Airport I purchased a Zone 1 pass for two days covering buses and trains within the city for £11. I caught a train to Adelaide from where I walked back along Northbrook Street before crossing the railway line over the mural laden pedestrian bridge.

This took me to where the old Railway End Stand once stood. Windsor Park had changed out of all recognition since I’d last been. I noticed that the corner gate was open, which is used for vehicle access. Time was of the essence so in I went.

The stadium really was something fantastic and light years away from the old place. Three sides were wrapped around with corporate facilities at the rear and an extra deck down the side. The North Stand had been refurbished but was the same structure as before.

I probably pushed my luck by entering the stand to take some additional photos, but I knew that I was doing no harm. Some maintenance was going on inside in preparation for that evening’s Linfield game.

On leaving via the tunnel I was met by a gent. I'm not sure the security guard was impressed, but he calmed down when he realised I was an innocent visitor. I don't suppose working in security in Ulster could have been a barrel of laughs, albeit better than thirty years previously.

I apologised and set off on my way back towards the city, going on what I thought a sensible route, but going a long way round.

Instead of following the Lisburn and Donegal Road's which would have taken me to the University area I decided to head along Boucher Road and then at the side of the duel carriageway of the A12, which was a bit too close to Falls Road as I later discovered on my maps.

I eventually walked down Grosvenor Road to Great Victoria Street and to my Ibis Hotel by the Castle Court Shopping Centre for a siesta before my evening’s entertainment.