V.Cliftonville

Cliftonville v. Windsor Park, Belfast Saturday, 6 March, 2021 Kick-off: 3.00 p.m.

Danske Bank Premiership Season 2020-2021 Look at Linﬁeld

Danske Bank Premiership Windsor Park, Champions Belfast 2019-20 Tuesday, 9 March, 2021 Kick-off: 7.45 p.m. Official Matchday Programme: £3 l Volume 50, No.9 Warrenpoint v. what’s the ord fromw L U B O T B A L L C F I E L D F O r? E O F L I N dso H E V O I C win T and the game will be streamed live by BBC n online. Linfield commence a sequence of four n consecutive home league games in pole Linfield tv in partnership with 247.tv will live position in the Danske Bank Premiership stream today's home league game against table but with five other leading clubs in hot Cliftonville and upcoming home games in pursuit. The coming months are going to March against Warrenpoint, Dungannon and produce a major battle to secure the Carrick Rangers. Members, senior Premiership title and European qualifying members and life members will have free places and Linfield must aim to hold off the access to the live streams. The cost for non- challenge of the contenders to retain the top members remains £7.50 per game. position in the league table. Consistency and Commentary on the Cliftonville game will be momentum will be the key over the busy provided by Jonny Martin and Michael Gault. schedule of the coming months. n Linfield’s home league game against n Results in the past week have been mixed, Carrick Rangers originally scheduled for with a pleasing 2-1 home win against Larne April 17 has been brought forward to followed up with a hugely disappointing 3-1 Saturday March 13. This is because the March 13 date cannot be used for Irish Cup reverse at the Oval in midweek. A positive fixtures, due to the current government response to the setback at the Oval will be restrictions affecting clubs designated as required and Linfield must avoid further non-elite. Linfield have been drawn at home such slip ups, if the challenges of our main to Annagh United in the Irish Cup opening contenders are to be thwarted. fixture. n A warm welcome to Windsor Park to the n The month of March marks the 135th players, management, directors and staff of anniversary of the formation of Linfield Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town Football Football Club in the Linfield mill in the Clubs. In the previous games against Sandy Row area of Belfast in March 1886. Cliftonville, Linfield won 2-0 at Windsor Park but the Reds won the most recent game, 4-3 n Matthew Clarke made his 250th appearance at Solitude. In the previous games against for Linfield in the midweek league game Warrenpoint, the South Down team won 2-1 away to Glentoran. at Milltown, with Linfield winning the n Niall Quinn has agreed a contract extension Windsor Park return game by a 6-0 margin. that will secure his future at Windsor Park Cliftonville enter today’s fixture in fifth place until the end of the 2022/23 season. in the league table, while Warrenpoint Town n Today's issue of the match day programme will visit Windsor Park in ninth place, with is again being featured in full on their Premiership place already assured for Linfieldfc.com, thanks to the cooperation of next season. With both clubs having already our long-time programme printers at defeated Linfield this season, their Edenderry Print. Only a limited number of challenge cannot be underestimated. copies have been printed and these have n Linfield's game at Seaview, originally been reserved by regular collectors. The scheduled for Saturday March 20 has been absence of spectators at games and the brought forward to Friday March 19 and will unavailability of our Superstore, due to the be broadcast live on BBC2. Linfield's game current NI Executive Covid restrictions, have away to Portadown on Saturday March 27 caused major difficulties for programme will have a delayed kick-off time of 5.30pm production and sales.

Look at Linfield l 03 visitors team line-ups

Cliftonville Warrenpoint Aaron McCarey 37 Town Declan Dunne 20 Gabriel Sava 01 Conor McDermott 02 Levi Ives 03 Andy Coleman 21 Garry Breen 04 Colm Deasy 02 Ryan O’Reilly 05 Jamie Harney 06 Steven Ball 03 Chris Curran 07 Gavin Peers 04 Daire O’Connor 08 Ryan Curran 09 Dermot McVeigh 06 Michael McCrudden 10 Kealan Dillon 07 Seanna Foster 12 Alan O’Sullivan 09 Aaron Donnelly 14 Mark McKee 15 Francis McCaffrey 10 Liam Bagnall 16 Luke Gallagher 11 Ronan Doherty 17 Donal Rocks 18 Adam Carroll 12 Joe Gormley 19 Ben Mullen 14 Calvin McCurry 21 Ryan Swan 15 Odhran Casey 22 Ethan Devine 24 Colm Carney 17 Rory Hale 27 Kris Cowan 18 Kris Lowe 30 Daniel Kearns 32 Matthew Knox 19 Paul O’Neill 33 Danny Wallace 23 Eoin Teggart 36 Barry Coffey 40 Mark Carson 24

Look at Linfield l 04 by Linfield manager David Healy

Over this weekend we will face huge challenges from Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town teams that will come here in good form and boosted by their league wins against us earlier this season. This weekend marks the start of four consecutive home league games and we must aim to maximise the home advantage, to secure the victories we need to maintain our position at the top of the table. Over the past few weeks Coleraine, Glentoran, Crusaders and Cliftonville have closed the gap on Larne and ourselves at the top of the table and there is no doubt that we have a genuine title race on our hands involving the current top six teams. At this stage of the season, it’s all about putting a run together to reach the finishing line in first position in the league table and we must start that process today and maintain a higher level of consistency than we’ve managed in recent weeks. After the 'high' of the recent home win against Larne, we suffered the 'low' of the midweek away defeat at the Oval. We started brightly at the Oval but conceded several poor goals and unfortunately, couldn’t find a way back into the game past a stubborn Glentoran rearguard. I know it was a result and performance that brought huge disappointment to our thousands of loyal supporters but now, it’s all about the positive reaction that we will be looking for in each of our upcoming games. There are a huge number of games to negotiate in March, due to the unprecedented circumstances of this season and we will have to make full use of our squad this month. There will be several changes in the starting line up from the team that lined up at the Oval and I want to see real hunger from our players to make the most of the opportunity they get, when they get a shirt in the starting eleven for each game. We will have assessed the players in training on Thursday to see their levels of fitness after our recent busy run of fixtures and one or two will be receiving treatment for knocks picked up in our recent games. Congratulations to Niall Quinn who has extended his contract by a further year which will commit him to this club to the end of the 2022/23 season. He's a real unsung hero at this club, a popular, dependable, versatile and important player who will make a significant contribution to this club over the duration of this richly deserved extended contract, Congratulations also to his close friend, Matthew Clarke who reached a significant landmark of 250 Linfield appearances in the midweek game at the Oval. We will again miss the vocal backing of our loyal supporters in these Windsor Park games but we know you will be cheering us on, courtesy of the Linfield tv live stream broadcasts.

Look at Linfield l 05 Mark Stafford Age: 33 al-defender Position: Centr who’s 2 er: Squad numb rd : Ballinamalla Previous clubs at who ited Un 150 (9 as sub) Appearances: ‘The Park’ Goals: 29

Linfield defender Mark Stafford is a fan favourite and everyone connected with the Club would have been very pleased for the Fermanagh man when he reached the milestone of 150 appearances in last week’s home game against Glentoran. Although it wasn’t the result he wanted to go with it, the former Ballinamallard defender was rightly proud. “When I arrived at the Club and did my first week in training I didn’t think I’d last 10 games, never mind 150. The standards are so high and I thought it was maybe a step too far for me as a player but I stuck at it and dug in and it’s nice to be able to get the opportunity to reach the milestone. I feel very privileged to play for Linfield and reach the milestone. There’s been a lot of players who have signed for Linfield that are better than me but for whatever reason, haven’t played as many games. “Linfield becomes a part of your life. For the past six years Linfield has been a big part of my life and you get used to playing games, training, the pressure that comes with it, the expectationsQ a lot of good times and a lot of times where you’re down; that’s all a part of it. I am well used to the travelling and I will keep doing it, as long as I am wanted at the football club.

Look at Linfield l 06 “I feel very privileged that in the current climate I can train and play football, and just to be involved with Linfield Football Club. All Irish League players have been very fortunate this season because there are a lot of people who can’t do their hobbies, and can’t go and see certain friends and families and things like that.” Stafford has played fewer games this season as the manager looks to manage his game-time to keep him fit and available. Despite that, he has played in some big games; Legia Warsaw in the Champions League, Glentoran and Crusaders to name a few. With games few and far between at the start of the season, ‘Staff’ says the nerves were there but it’s nothing new to him. “The nerves will never leave me. I will always be nervous when I pull on the shirt and it’s been that way from my first game to the last. You don’t want to let anybody down, from your teammates, to your manager and the supporters. If I am not involved, the manager might put me on standby and being there, I just try and help the lads in any wee small way I can.” After losing Tuesday night’s derby at The Oval, Linfield will want to bounce back when Cliftonville visit Windsor Park on Saturday and The Blues will be back at Windsor again on Tuesday against Warrenpoint Town. The 33 year-old says it’s important to approach both games in the same manner they approached what was a top-of-the-table clash against Larne last week when The Blues won 2-1. “Cliftonville are in good form and made some good signings in January. They seemed to have turned the corner, especially defensively, as they aren’t letting many in, and they’re putting them in at the other end. It will be a difficult game and we need to make sure we are bang at it from the start because if we’re not, we’ll end up with egg on our faces like we did on Tuesday. “Warrenpoint beat Dungannon Swifts 4-1, so they’re a team who have been in a decent run of form and when we played them away, we got beat. We are under no illusions as to how tough the challenge will be there and for both of these games we need to turn up with the same attitude that we did against Larne. If we don’t, we’ll get nothing from the games, it’s as simple as that. “Tuesday was a sore one to take and the lads are hurting but we need to play better. We are just lacking a bit of something at the minute. The goals we’ve been giving away all season have been unlike us and we need to improve quickly because a lot of teams are back in the hunt. Collectively, we need to sort it out as soon as possible.” And finally, we asked Stafford – as an experienced defender – what he thought of January signing Michael Newberry, since the supporters are yet to see the former Newcastle United youth and Vikingur Olafsvik defender in action. “Michael looks very athletic and he looks technically good on the ball. I watched the game with him on Tuesday and we have been talking about the game. He’s been around long enough and has been patient knowing he isn’t just going to walk into the team. He is determined to work hard to earn a place in the squad.” Many congratulations to Mark on a fantastic feat of 150 Linfield appearances. A wonderful achievement for any player, never mind someone commuting from Fermanagh to Belfast several times a week. It is because of such dedication that Stafford is a fan favourite and there’s no doubt he will be reliable anytime he’s called upon this season, despite not being a regular starter.

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k k s t i m i i t r r x s d r r Goals scored are shown inside individual v a a a e m a o n h l h i A M C M M J A D R boxes C Date Opponent H/A Comp. Result August 8 Tre Fiori (N) CL 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 11 Drita (awarded 3-0 win) (N) CL 3-0 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 13 Carrick Rangers (A) CAS 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 17 Carrick Rangers (H) Prem. 5-1 n n n n n n n1 n3 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 24 Ballymena United (A) Prem. 3-2 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 30 Crusaders (H) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n November 3 Larne (A) CAS 1-4 n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 7 Portadown (A) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 14 Coleraine (A) Prem. 2-0 n n n n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 21 Glenavon (H) Prem. 2-0 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 24 Glentoran (H) Prem. 3-3 n n n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 28 Warrenpoint (A) Prem. 1-2 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 19 Dungannon (H) Prem. 4-0 n n n n n n n2 n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n January 2 Glenavon (A) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 23 Warrenpoint (H) Prem. 6-0 n n n n n n n n4 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 26 Cliftonville (A) Prem. 3-4 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 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 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 6 Crusaders (A) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 9 Carrick Rangers (A) Prem. 1-1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 20 Coleraine (H) Prem. 0-0 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 23 Glentoran (H) Prem. 0-1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 26 Larne (H) Prem. 2-1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n March 2 Glentoran (A) Prem. 1-3 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 6 Cliftonville (H) Prem. 9 Warrenpoint (H) Prem. 13 Carrick Rangers (H) Prem. 16 Dungannon (H) Prem. 19 Crusaders (A) Prem. 23 Ballymena (A) Prem. Linfield 27 Portadown (A) Prem. April 3 Dungannon (A) Prem. 6 Coleraine (H) Prem. squad 10 Larne (A) Prem. 20 Ballymena (H) Prem. 24 Glenavon (A) Prem. TBA Annagh United (H) IC

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Look at Linfield l 09 Test your knowledge! 1. Which player is club captain of Arsenal? 2. In which country do Rio Ave FC play their home games? 3. Which player scored the winning spot kick in the penalty shoot- out to decide the final of the 1976 European Championships? 4. The late Ian St. John played for and managed which Scottish Answers side? on page 5. Who is the new manager of Sheffield Wednesday? 21 6. Against which country did Shayne Lavery make his international debut in 2018?

Wishing Linfield FC every success for Season 2020/2021! PETER DORNAN & COMPANY SOLICITORS Personal Injury Compensation, Road Traffic Accidents, Accidents at Work, 24HR Criminal Practice, Conveyancing, Wills and a full range of other legal services Belfast Office: 72 High Street, Belfast BT7 2BE • Tel: 028 9023 4559 Bangor Office: 14 Hamilton Road, Bangor, Co Down BT20 4LE • Tel: 028 9127 3054

Look at Linfield l 10 all the facts & figures from 2020-2021 season LINFIELD PLAYING RECORD 2020-21 rances field Appea P W D L F A Lin 021 Danske Bank Premiership 21 13 3 5 47 25 s 2020-2 Goals & Goal App. County Antrim Shield 3 2 0 1 9 4 5 25 (1 as sub) UEFA Champions League 2 1 0 1 2 1 5 Kirk Millar as sub) Europa League 1 0 0 1 0 1 24 (1 iall Quinn ) 5 N 24 (1 as sub Total: 27 16 3 8 58 31 Callacher 1 Jimmy (2 as sub) w 24 – Jamie Mulgre 23 is Johns – Chr 23 (2 as sub) LINFIELD PLAYING RECORD 2019-20 lean 9 Kyle McC 5 as sub) t 23 ( P W D L F A Jordan Stewar sub) 11 22 (10 as Danske Bank Premiership 31 22 3 6 71 24 ew Waterworth – Andr 21 (2 as sub) hey 11 Co. Antrim Shield 2 1 1 0 7 3 Mark Haug as sub) 20 (3 League Cup 4 3 0 1 10 7 hayne Lavery b) 3 S 20 (6 as su Nasseri – UEFA Champions League 2 0 0 2 0 6 Navid 7 (1 as sub) er 1 – UEFA Europa League 6 4 1 1 12 9 Conor Pepp s sub) 16 (1 a UTU Champions Cup 2 0 1 1 1 7 tthew Clarke ) 2 Ma 16 (5 as sub Fallon 1 Irish Cup 1 0 0 1 1 2 Stephen (7 as sub) 11 Total: 48 30 6 12 102 58 Bastien Hery ub) – 9 (1 as s Stafford 1 Mark 9 (8 as sub) nzinga 1 Christy Ma as sub) 8 (1 oss Larkin ) – R 7 (1 as sub Friday Fixture: oper – Carrick Rangers ( ) Glentoran ( ) Joel Co (3 as sub) s 6 1 Daniel Kearn sub) 6 (4 as Saturday’s Fixtures: n McGivern – Rya 4 Crusaders ( ) Warrenpoint Town ( ) le 1 Ethan Boy as sub n 4 Dungannon Swifts ( ) Coleraine ( ) atthew Shevli – M 3 Portadown ( ) Glenavon ( ) alsh – David W (2 as sub) le 3 – Ballymena United ( ) Larne ( ) Brandon Doy 1 x Moore – Ale 1 as sub Tuesday’s Fixtures: Palmer 1 Cameron as sub Portadown ( ) Glenavon ( ) 1 Joshua Archer Carrick Rangers ( ) Crusaders ( ) Glentoran ( ) Ballymena United ( ) Follow, follow Linfield! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLinfieldFC Twitter: OfficialBlues @

Look at Linfield l 11 fprolamy eorus r

pby Jamaes Kesnnedy t Gavin Arthur Gavin Arthur is part of a football mad extended family, and has his father, George, to thank for his Linfield connections. “Dad is Linfield through and through, and from an early age he has been a big influence on me”. From age 10 and into his teens, Gavin played for Lisburn Youth where George’s workmate, Colin Stewart, was coach. “Back then you didn’t have the organised football academies like Irish League clubs do now, and Lisburn Youth were one of many good teams. As well as winning trophies locally, we also went to tournaments in Holland and Germany, beating teams like Ajax. Aged 16, Gavin then moved to Dungoyne Boys, followed by a short spell at Lisburn Distillery, before it was next stop Knockbreda FC and an Amateur League Div 2A title. “I enjoyed my time at Knockbreda, then I got an invitation to go to play in New Zealand. John Hill, an ex-Glentoran player, was manager at Gisborne City, and I couldn’t pass up that opportunity”. A season at Gisborne saw Gavin score 20 goals in 20 games, before a move to

Look at Linfield l 12 Central Utd FC in Auckland. But he became homesick and was soon on his way back to Belfast. “That was 1995 and I signed for Crusaders. The team was strong, and I picked up Irish League and Co. Antrim Shield winner’s medals. Chris Morgan and myself progressed from the Reserves to the 1st Team, playing alongside legends like Glenn Dunlop and Kirk Hunter, and current Manager Stephen Baxter”. When Manager Roy Walker moved to Glenavon, Gavin followed, but after a season and a half the call came from Linfield. “I met David Jeffrey in a hotel in Belfast and was presented with terms for signing. David said he would give me a fortnight to think about it, but no thinking was required and I agreed to sign on the spot!”. An injury-hit two year spell at Windsor Park produced another League medal, although there was disappointment when Linfield lost the Irish Cup final to Glentoran in 2001. “Winning the League, and a Boxing Day goal against The Glens, were the highlights of my time at Linfield, but it came to an early end due to a run of injuries, mainly a broken foot. Guess who we were playing when I broke it? Crusaders - and it was my brother Graeme who made the challenge!” Released by Linfield, Gavin signed for Newry City. “I knew the Manager, Alfie Wylie, and thought it was a good move. But, combined with my day job, the travelling quickly became too much, so I signed for Crusaders again on Transfer Deadline Day, this time under Alan Dornan”. Struggling with a back injury, which still troubles him to this day, Gavin next took up a coaching post at PSNI FC, and within 6 months was promoted to Manager. “Getting drawn to play Linfield in the Irish Cup at Windsor Park was a dream come true. We gave The Blues a real run for their money, drawing 0-0 in the first game, before losing the replay 3-0”. Gavin freely admits that in his younger days, football was everything to him. But not now. “I work most weekends, I play some golf, and my main involvement with football is my twin boys, Corbin and Reuben, who most recently played for Shankill Utd. Nowadays it’s TV football for me, I love watching Rangers and Spurs, and since the increased coverage of Irish League games I have to say I prefer it to the ‘glamour’ of Premier League football”. Another member of the Arthur family, Gavin’s nephew Jack May, is with the Linfield Academy, so the next generation may yet produce another player for their grandfather George to cheer out at Windsor Park!

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Linfield vice chairman Stephen Dickson presents the November Discount Blinds Linfield tv Goal of the month trophy to Stephen Fallon.

Linfield chairman Roy McGivern presents the Ronnie Morrison sponsored Linfield player of the match award to Kyle McClean following last week’s win at home to Larne.

Look at Linfield l 15 Jordan Stewart

Joel Cooper

Michael Newberry

Look at Linfield l 16 Jamie Shayne Mulgrew Lavery

Jordan Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Stewart Windsor Park, Belfast Linﬁeld 0 – Glentoran 1 Danske Bank Premiership

Look at Linfield l 17 WILLIAM COATES L IMITED

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Look at Linfield l 18 Honorary secretary Andy Conn presents the 1st Newtownabbey LSC Young player of the year trophy for last season to Stephen Fallon.

Linfield chairman Roy McGivern presents the £500 first prize winning cheque from the February 200 + Club draw to former manager David Jeffrey following last week’s game at home to Larne. David was one of the live tv commentators.

Look at Linfield l 19 by Dan Brown

For one year now we have navigated these Corona-times. It was in the month of March 2020, the world as we knew it started to quickly unravel. The things we took for granted – going to work, attending school, watching a game of football – were suddenly taken from us. Projects long in the pipeline drew to a halt as social distancing measures changed life beyond all recognition. At Linfield one project was in the final stages on completion as Corona restrictions wrought havoc on normal life. A poster presentation detailing the history and development of Windsor Park was in the final stages of completion when the measures came into force. Thankfully most of the work on the project could be finalised through email and the boards detailing the history were completed. Five boards telling the story of Linfield at Windsor Park are now ready to be displayed when the club can reopen its office doors to supporters. The project was coordinated by club trustee Dr Cameron Ramsey and drew on the research of supporter Joe Cassell. Joe is the authority on the history of Windsor Park and he brought his extensive research to bear in bringing the story to the five boards. Summarising his research onto just the five posters was quite the task, but a succinct history of the ground was achieved and whenever social distancing restrictions are eased supporters will be able to enjoy the story. Starting even before the club acquired the bog meadow’s ground in the Windsor district of Belfast, the boards tell the story of our much-travelled early existence. Jumping from the Meadow to Ulsterville, to Balmoral and extensive periods of homelessness, the Blues enjoyed an early nomadic existence. The 1904 acquisition of the ground at the Bog Meadows would, though, change that existence and heralded our home at Windsor Park. The following year in 1905, Linfield would start playing at the Park, and would continue to enjoy the sort of success the club had already become accustomed to.

Look at Linfield l 20 After dealing with the move to Windsor in the first history board, the second focuses on the improvements that would follow. Each side of the ground is dealt with individually, with special attention paid to the Archibald Leitch and partners designed South Stand. Finally the second board looks at the 1950s innovation of floodlighting at Windsor. The third board looks at the continuous redevelopment of the ground, with moves to modernise through the boardroom and various lounges. The board also considers the moves to renovate the north side of the ground, which culminated in the 1984 opening of the North Stand. The stadia disasters of the 1980s brought significant changes to the legislation governing footballing grounds, and this provides the backdrop for the fourth board. Fireproofing the South Stand and moves to bring Windsor to an all-seater arena are the focus of this board. Recalling the famous mid-90s matches with Liverpool, which first said goodbye to the Old Spion Kop, then hello to the Kop Stand are fondly remembered in the fourth board. The fifth and final board looks at the difficulties the club experienced during the 2000s, the issue of where international football would be played and the implications this had for Linfield. Of course, this board culminates with consideration of the new stadium and what this has brought for the club. Standing back and looking at the history of Windsor it is quite the story. From bog meadow land, to the state of the art the facility the club plays at today, we have witnessed great changes at the Park. When the restrictions are lifted come and learn more about our famous stadium for yourself.

Quiz Answers: (1) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; (2) Portugal; (3) Antonin Panenka; (4) Motherwell; (5) Darren Moore; (6) Panama.

Look at Linfield l 21 David Healy Joel Cooper

Jimmy Callacher

Friday, February 26, 2021 Windsor Park, Belfast Linﬁeld 2 – Larne 1 Danske Bank Premiership Matthew Clarke

Look at Linfield l 22 Stephen Fallon

Shayne Lavery Shayne Lavery

Jamie Conor Mulgrew Pepper

Look at Linfield l 23 250th appearance for Matthew Matthew Clarke’s made his 250th appearance for the club in Tuesday’s league game at the Oval. Matthew signed for Linfield on a 2 year contract on May 23, 2013 and he made his Linfield debut in 2-0 win away to IF Fuglafjordor (Faroe Islands) in the Europa League on July 3, 2013. He scored his first 2 goals in a 2-1 win away to Coleraine on August 16, 2014. His full statistical record with Linfield is as follows: Season Appearances Goals 2013/14 22 (3 as sub) – 2014/15 23 (1 as sub) 2 2015/16 45 2 2016/17 36 (1 as sub) 2 2017/18 35 (1 as sub) 2 2018/19 33 (8 as sub) – 2019/20 40 (5 as sub) 2 2020/21 16 (1 as sub) – Total: 250 (20 as sub) 10

New Linfield signing Michael Newberry.

Look at Linfield l 24 Niall Quinn is pictured signing a contract extension that pledges his future to the club until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The February 200+ Club draw took place before Last week’s home League game against Larne. The winning numbers were drawn by honorary secretary Andy Conn and the prize winners are detailed below: £500 ...... C66 David Jeffrey £100 ...... C139 Andrew Conn ...... C34 Edward Alan Irwin 200+ ...... C256 Kevin Harris CLUB ...... C134 Allen Albert Kilpatrick ...... C2 Jonathan Lamont DRAW £25 Superstore Vouchers . . . .C178 Norman McKinney ...... C113 David Strain Congratulations to our latest winners and thank you to all participants for their continued loyalty in these challenging times. The next draw will take place at the end of of March.

Look at Linfield l 25 Today’s visitors – Cliftonville

Cliftonville pushing towards a European place this season Linfield and Cliftonville will go toe to Paddy toe again just six weeks after the McLaughlin Reds edged a seven-goal thriller at Solitude. The Blues were 3-2 ahead until late in the game when Conor McMenamin struck a late double to give the north Belfast side a 4-3 victory. McMenamin has since been part of a swap deal with Glentoran which saw attacker Paul O’Neill arrive at Cliftonville from the Glens and that’s just one of many arrivals during a busy January transfer window. Also making the move to Cliftonville was Daniel Kearns who transferred from Linfield. During his two-and-a- half years at Windsor Park, Daniel won two Irish Premiership titles and a League Cup, scoring three goals in 48 appearances. Further strengthening included the arrivals of midfielder Rory Hale who was bought from north Belfast rivals Crusaders, the versatile Kris Lowe who was a stalwart at Dungannon Swifts, forward Eoin Teggart on loan from Portsmouth, midfielder Barry Coffey on loan from Celtic and lastly, former Warrenpoint Town goalkeeper Aaron McCarey who joined from Dundalk. So, with no fewer than seven January arrivals, it’s fair to say Reds

Look at Linfield l 26 boss Paddy McLaughlin has been busy. Veteran goalkeeper Richard Brush departed Solitude for a coaching role with Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland, whilst young attacker Thomas Maguire went to Warrenpoint Town on loan. Meanwhile, star striker Joe Gormley is out with a lengthy arm injury. Results have been positive for Cliftonville since the closure of a busy transfer window, including wins over Warrenpoint Town, Larne, Ballymena United and Carrick Rangers, as well as battling draws against Glenavon, Coleraine, Portadown and Ballymena. Indeed, their defeat to a late goal away to Glentoran in February is the Reds’ Chris only defeat in their last eleven Curran games, at the time of writing. At the time of writing Cliftonville sit fourth in the table and will very much have ambitions of qualifying for Europe. Two seasons ago they played in the Europa League and got through a Qualifying Round but last season finished 4th and missed out on Europe. Heartbreak in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Glentoran in the semi-final would have been hard to take, as the Cup winners qualified for Europe and of course last year the Irish Premiership only had three European spots instead of the usual four spots. Thankfully, beneficially for us all, the League has regained its fourth spot through good results in Europe from the participants. Cliftonville captain Chris Curran – who recently made his 300th appearance for the Reds – has recently signed a two-year extension with the Club which will take him into a testimonial year, having signed from Ballinamallard in 2013. All in all, these are upbeat times for Cliftonville who will hope to record a first League win at Windsor Park since April 2018.

This afternoon’s officials: Tim Marshall Referee: Andrew Nethery and Gavin Hegarty Linesmen: Ross Dunlop 4th Official:

Look at Linfield l 27 Today’s visitors – Warrenpoint Town

Warrenpoint hoping for an upset at ‘The Park’ this evening Linfield will welcome Warrenpoint Town to Windsor Park on Tuesday evening and it’s fair to say Barry Gray’s team have had an excellent season so far. Of course, due to teams below Premiership season not being granted Elite status to play and the subsequent decision to ‘null and void’ the Championship season, there will be no relegation. Warrenpoint are a team who have generally been in around that fight at the bottom end of the table since they first got promoted to the top flight in 2013, however, the way they’re going this season so far would suggest they would have survived comfortably anyhow. At the time of writing, ‘the Point’ sit ninth in the table, seven points off Ballymena United who they have a game in hand over, and are seven points ahead of tenth-place Carrick Rangers. Although very much ambitious and growing, Warrenpoint would have one of the smallest budgets in the division, in part due to having a smaller fan base. However they are a well run Club which allows them to continue to compete at the top level and some have suggested that they are overachieving given Barry their stature as a Club. Gray The Milltown club have recruited shrewdly with players from each side of the border. Gabriel Sava has been solid between the sticks, with the 34 year-old Romanian signed last year after leaving Bray Wanderers, and he is known for a four-year spell with Dundalk. Right full-back Colm Deasy has also impressed since signing from Finn Harps in January of last

Look at Linfield l 28 year. Former Linfield defender Danny Wallace is a crucial member of the Warrenpoint team and has evolved into a real leader at the back, likewise the experienced Gavin Peers, signed from Glentoran last summer. Other important players for Warrenpoint from south of the border include left back Steven Ball, midfielder Kealan Dillon and attackers Alan O’Sullivan and Ryan Swan. Barry Gray has also used the loan market well. In Adam Carroll and Brandon Doyle he has two young players on loan from Linfield. Doyle has once again made a positive impact on loan, with a goal and an assist since joining in January. Carroll, meanwhile, has had limited game time and is often a substitute. Thomas Maguire also joined on loan from Cliftonville but after a good initial impact, he picked up an injury. Furthermore, Warrenpoint also made an addition to their coaching set-up as former Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine boss Rodney McAree took up a coaching role in the backroom staff at Milltown. Warrenpoint’s last outing, at the time of writing, saw them record a convincing 4-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts. They have also thrived off the underdog tag this season, something Linfield must be weary of. Indeed they beat Linfield for the first time ever before Christmas with a 2-1 win and they also drew home and away with Larne, and away to Glentoran.

This evening’s officials: To be announced Referee: To be announced Linesmen: To be announced 4th Official: Danske Bank Premiership League Table 2020-21 P. W. D. L. F. A. Points Linfield 21 13 3 5 47 25 42 Coleraine 21 12 4 5 32 20 40 Crusaders 21 11 3 7 40 25 36 Larne 21 10 6 5 34 22 36 Cliftonville 23 10 6 7 34 26 36 Glentoran 19 9 6 4 31 16 33 Glenavon 19 7 7 5 30 30 28 Ballymena United 20 8 3 9 27 23 27 Warrenpoint Town 19 5 5 9 20 32 20 Carrick Rangers 19 3 4 12 18 40 13 Portadown 19 2 6 11 19 42 12 Dungannon Swifts 20 3 3 14 12 43 12

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Look at Linfield l 30 Lin field Football (Founde Club Linfield Football Club Limited d March 1886) Linfie 2020-2021 ld Football Clu b b, formed in M y millworkers in arch, 1886, Peter Lunn M.B.E. the Sandy Ro esident: Belfast, is th w area of Pr Roy McGivern e largest, mos airman: Ireland t successful clu Ch Stephen Dickson . The Belfast Bl b in ce-Chairman: un ues have a pla Vi Pat Fenlon surpassed in I ying record neral Manager: rish football an Ge Richard Johnson stadium is th d Windsor Park on. Treasurer: e home of the H Andrew Conn internati Northern Irela Hon. Secretary: onal team. nd rectors Board of Di rd Johnson, H Jack Grundie, Richa ONOURS:- Trustees: , Dr. Cameron Irish Peter Lunn M.B.E. League Champ t • ionship – 54 t y, Paul Weir, Stuar 1890/91, 1891/ imes Ramse 92, 1892/93, 189 han Wilson, 1901/02, 4/95, 1897/98, Gilmore, Jonat 1903/04, 1906/0 1910/ 7, 1907/08, 1908 id Sales 11, 1913/14, 1921/ /09, Dav , 22, 1922/23, 192 , Stephen Dickson 1933/34, 1934/3 9/30, 1931/32, rs: Andy Conn 5, 1948/49, 1949 Elected Membe en Shaw, 1954/55, 19 /50, 1953/54, avid Strain, Steph 55/56, 1958/59 D rn, 1965/ , 1960/61, 1961/6 oods, Roy McGive 66, 1 968/69, 197 2, Irvine W 19 0/71, 1974/75, 1 , Jonathan 78/79, 1979/80 977/78, Ronnie Morrison , 1981/82, 1982/ rey. 1984/85, 198 83, 1983/84, t, Drew McCoub 5/86, 1986/87, Lamon 1993/94 1988/89, 1992/9 , 1999/00, 2000 3, 20 /01, 2003/04, 2 ield Staff 06/07, 2007/08 005/06, Linf Healy MBE , 2009/10, 2010/ anager: David 2016/17, 2018/ 11, 2011/12, Team M liver 19, 2019/20. Manager: Ross O Irish F.A. Cha Assistant ann llenge Cup – 4 h: Ricky McC • 1890/9 3 times Fitness Coac 1, 1891/92, 1892/ t: Terry Hayes 189 93, 1894/95, 189 Sports Therapis 8/99, 1901/02, 1 7/98, Patrick Noble 903/04, 1911/12, edical Officer: 1915/16, 1918/1 1912/13, 1914/15 M ry Eccles 9, 1921/22, 1922/ , anager: Ga 1930/31, 1 23, 1929/30, Kit M Williamson 933/34, 1935/36 g Coach: Johnny 1945 , 1938/39, 1941/ Goalkeepin /46, 1947/48, 19 42, 1944/45, ist: Paul Butler 49/50, 1952/53 Physiotherap n 1961/62, 1962/6 , 1959/60, r: Glenn Ferguso 3, 1969/70, 1 977 Academy Directo Billy Kennedy, 1981/82, 19 /78, 1979/80, oel Bailie M.B.E., 93/94, 1994/95 . Vice-Presidents: N 2006 , 2001/02, 2005 Hon err /07, 2007/08, 2 /06, Jim K ones, 009/10, 2010/11 err, M.B.E., Michael J 2016/17. , 2011/12, dents: Andy K ary Vice-Presi eill, Glenn Meikle, G Robert N n ky Stewart, Norma League C Dickson, Jac up (City Cup): G 30 times winne Morrow old Cup: 31 tim rs. e es winners. Kenny McKeagu Ulster Cup on. Trainer: : 15 times winn H ndy Kerr M.B.E. C ers. . Team Attend: A o. Antrim Shie Hon ld: 43 times win mme All-Irela ners. ficial Progra nd Cup: 4 time Of Conn s winners. Andrew Budweiser Cu Editor: otball Club p: Once. Linfield Fo Coca-Co Publisher: , Argyle Bus. la Cup: 3 times EPM., Unit 10B S winners. Printer: 3 2AU. etanta Sports Centre, Belfast BT1 Cup: Once. Tel: (028) 9074 0192 Alan Kirkpatrick Design & lay-out: Colin McMaster Photographer:

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 31