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

Annagh Utd. v. Windsor Park, Belfast Tuesday, 27 April, 2021 Kick-off: 7.45 p.m.

Danske Bank Sadler’s Peaky Premiership Blinder Irish Cup Champions (1st Round) 2019-20 Season 2020-2021 Look at Official Matchday Programme: £3 l Volume 50, No.13 Linﬁeld 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 Doyle on a pre-contract basis on the expiry of his contract with this club and his loan n Linfield take a brief break from focusing on arrangement with Warrenpoint Town at the Premiership matters tonight, as the end of the current season. condensed Irish Cup campaign gets n underway with tonight’s first round tie against Former Linfield winger Dessie Cathcart is Annagh United. This is a hugely prestigious presently unwell in the Ulster Hospital and competition and tonight’s aim will be to the best wishes of everyone at the club are progress to the second round of a competition sent to him and his family at this difficult time. which Linfield last won in 2017. Dessie will always be fondly remembered as n one of the heroes of the legendary Linfield Linfield will head to the Oval on Saturday to team that defeated Manchester City 2-1 in a take on Glentoran in the first of five tough European Cup Winners' Cup second leg tie on post-split league games. A positive recent September 30, 1970. result at home to Ballymena was n unfortunately followed up with a Tonight’s delayed Irish Cup opener against disappointing result and performance away to Annagh United will be streamed live by BBC Glenavon on Saturday. Although Linfield will online. kick off at the Oval on Saturday with a n Linfield Ladies will commence their Danske pleasing seven-point advantage at the top of Bank NIFL Premiership campaign with a the table, a lot of hard work will need to be behind closed doors home game against Sion put in, to maintain our advantage in the Swifts tomorrow evening. Linfield then visit league table over the coming weeks and the Solitude to play Cliftonville on Wednesday May best wishes of everyone at the club are 5. extended to the players and staff, ahead of the n At the club's zoom annual general meeting on closing stages of what has been a gruelling Friday May 7, four candidates will be seeking league season. election to the three positions on the board of n A warm welcome to Windsor Park to the directors. Stephen Shaw, Ronnie Morrison players, staff, management and directors of and Drew McCoubrey will be seeking re- Championship side, Annagh United. The election and the other contender will be one Portadown based club have not been able to of the club's vice-presidents, Michael Jones. take part in competitive action this season, as n Tonight's issue of the match day programme the government restrictions arising from the is again being featured in full on corona virus pandemic have prevented the Championship season from getting underway. Linfieldfc.com thanks to the co-operation of However, the challenge presented by Annagh our long-term programme printers at United cannot be underestimated and Linfield Edenderry Print. Only a limited number of will only need to recall last year's Irish Cup copies have been printed and these have elimination at the hands of another been reserved by regular collectors. Championship side, Queen's University to n Linfield's post-split league games will be realise that cup shocks can and do happen in away to Coleraine, Glentoran and Cliftonville all levels of football. and home to Larne and Crusaders. n Popular full-back Matthew Clarke has n The Windsor Superstore will reopen on Friday recently signed a contract extension that will April 30 in line with measures recently commit his future to the club until the end of announced by the NI Executive to lift the 2022-23 season. Crusaders have lockdown restrictions on the "non-essential" announced that they have signed Brandon retail sector.

Look at Linfield l 03 tonights team line-ups

Linfield Annagh Chris Johns 01 United Alex Moore 40 Eoin Hughes 01 David Walsh 51 James McCullins 02 Mark Stafford 02 Matthew Shortt 03 Ross Larkin 03 Lee Upton 04 Michael Newberry 04 Gerard Kerr 05 Mark Haughey 05 Stephen Acheson 06 Christian Stewart 07 Jimmy Callacher 06 Dermot McCaffrey 08 Andrew Waterworth 07 Jordan Campbell 09 Christy Manzinga 09 Owen McConville 10 Jordan Stewart 10 Shane McKinney 11 Ryan Woods 12 Kirk Millar 12 Adam Henderson 13 Shayne Lavery 14 Niall Henderson 14 Navid Nasseri 15 Jackson Holmes 15 Matthew Clarke 16 Ruairi McDonald 16 Kyle McClean 18 Jake Richardson 17 Ethan Jordan 18 Stephen Fallon 20 Ben Eagle 19 Jamie Mulgrew 22 Jordan Bell 20 Ryan McGivern 23 James McCormack 21 Conor Pepper 25 Andrew Gordan 22 Niall Quinn 31 Scott McCordick 23 Ryan Coleman 24 Cameron Palmer 35 Peter Duffin 25 Joel Cooper 99 Craig Taylor 26

Look at Linfield l 04 by Linfield manager David Healy

Tonight we will take a short break from our Premiership campaign, by welcoming Annagh United to Windsor Park for this tie in the opening round of the Irish Cup competition. Annagh United have not been able to benefit from a NIFL Championship season for well publicised reasons arising from the corona virus pandemic, so this will have affected their preparations for tonight’s game. Nevertheless, they will come here determined to make a positive impression, especially with the game being streamed live on BBC online. They will come here with nothing to lose and full of belief that they can pull off a shock result, so we have been thoroughly professional in our preparations for this important game in a hugely prestigious competition. Ross Larkin had to be withdrawn from Saturday’s game at Mourneview Park due to injury, so he will not be available for tonight’s game. We will assess one or two other players for slight knocks after Saturday’s game, before deciding on our line-up for tonight’s game. Our only long-term injury absentee remains Kyle McClean and we all wish him well on the road to recovery, following his recent surgery. Matthew Clarke has recently agreed a contract extension that will pledge his future to the club until the end of the 2022-23 season. He's an important and experienced member of our squad and I'm delighted that our popular full-back has shown his continued commitment and loyalty to the club. Brandon Doyle, who's been on loan at Warrenpoint, has signed a pre-contract with Crusaders, to take effect at the end of the season. I was delighted with our recent 2-1 home win against Ballymena but sadly, we were hugely disappointing in Saturday's 3-2 reverse away to Glenavon. Too many players had an off-day at Mourneview Park and we can ill-afford any further such setbacks. We have a seven point lead at the top of the table going into the league split and it's an advantage that we must protect and maintain over the coming weeks. We have a huge game at the Oval on Saturday and it's one we will turn our full focus to, once tonight's important game is out of the road. We will go to the Oval aiming to secure the first of the three wins that we need to secure the Premiership title. At this crucial end of the season period, we could do with the vocal backing of our loyal supporters and we really are looking forward to the day when we will be able to welcome our greatly missed supporters back to our games, home and away. In conclusion, can I send the best wishes of our players, staff and myself to one of our former players Dessie Cathcart who's currently ill in the Ulster Hospital. Dessie and his family have been in the thoughts and prayers of us all.

Look at Linfield l 05 Joel Cooper Age: 25 elder Position: Midfi er: 99 who’s Squad numb lenavon G bs: Ballyclare, Previous clu ed) ub Oxford Unit (and parent cl 97 (7 as sub) at who Appearances: Goals: 24 ‘The Park’ by Jamie Megarry

‘Look at Linfield’ this week catches up with mercurial winger Joel Cooper who is closing in on the milestone of 100 Linfield appearances, with just three more to go until what he says will be a proud achievement for him. “I see 100 Linfield appearances as a massive achievement and it’s something I will be really proud to achieve. The milestone excites me and hopefully I can get there as soon as possible.” The former Ballyclare Comrades and Glenavon winger left Linfield to join Oxford United in EFL League One last summer, before returning to Windsor Park on loan in January. However, he informs the club programme that he’s been disappointed with his performances since returning. “I’ve found it tough. The league has improved but one thing that hasn’t changed is that everybody guns for you. At Linfield you just have to deal with that, but it’s

Look at Linfield l 06 been enjoyable being back at the Club. “The fans are definitely not seeing the best of me. It’s been up and down for me and I don’t feel like I’ve given my best, but all I can do is keep working hard and trying to improve my form and to improve as a player. I feel like I haven’t really had a good run of games – that’s down to myself, and then just as I was starting to get back up to speed, I got sent off and missed three games. I think that killed me again because after three games out it takes a while to get back up to speed again. The only answer is for me to keep working hard.” The 25 year-old has tasted success in the Irish Cup before, having played a starring role for Glenavon in their win over Linfield in the 2016 final. He wants to do it again, but says the team need to approach the game with the right attitude as favourites. And whilst he acknowledges that a lot of talk will be around next weekend’s Big Two derby against title challengers Glentoran, he says Linfield cannot afford to look that far ahead yet. “The boys at Annagh won’t have played competitive football for over a year now, so they will be buzzing to get back in and playing again. It will be a different challenge for us as heavy favourites but it’s a game we want to go and win, and hopefully we can do that. “The Glentoran game...let’s be honest, it’s a cup final, not just for us but for them as well. I think we owe them one for the past few games against them but we aren’t thinking too much about it because the Annagh game in the Cup comes first and we are fully focused on trying to progress in the Cup too.” With the Irish Cup to play for and five massive post-split Premiership games to come for Linfield – who are seven points ahead at the top – Cooper says it’s a shame fans across the league can’t be there to enjoy a big end to the season. “Empty stadiums can feel a strange place and when you need a lift at times during games sometimes the supporters can give you that. That’s been tough not having that, when you’re on top in a game and you’re looking for a goal. Last Saturday when we lost to Glenavon at Mourneview Park I felt if we had fans behind the net, they’d have helped us suck the ball into the net late on. They make a big difference and it’s a shame we are playing big games and fans of all teams across the league can’t be there to enjoy it.” All the best to Joel and the team for a big end to the season and hopefully, the appearance milestone won’t be the only thing he’ll celebrate in the coming weeks.

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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. 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 n n n n 9 Warrenpoint (H) Prem. 5-0 n n n n n n n1 n1 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n 13 Carrick Rangers (H) Prem. 7-0 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 n n n 16 Dungannon (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 n n n n 19 Crusaders (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 n n n n 23 Ballymena (A) Prem. 1-2 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 n n n n 27 Portadown (A) Prem. 1-0 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 n n n April 3 Dungannon (A) 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 n n n n 7 Coleraine (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 n n 10 Larne (A) Prem. 1-1 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 n n n n 17 Ballymena (H) Prem. 2-1 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 n n n n 24 Glenavon (A) Prem. 2-3 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 n n n n 27 Annagh United (H) IC May 1 Glentoran (A) Prem. 4 Crusaders (H) Prem. 15 Larne (H) Prem. 25 Coleraine (A) Prem. 29 Cliftonville (A) Prem.

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Look at Linfield l 09 Test your knowledge! 1. Which Wolverhampton Wanderers player scored the goal to relegate Sheffield United from the Premiership? 2. Who has been appointed caretaker manager of Tottenham Hotspur? 3. Against which country did Jonny Evans make his international debut in 2006? Answers 4. Mesut Ozil currently plays for which Turkish side? on page 5. How many Premiership title winners’ medals does N’Golo Kante 21 have? 6. Which German club plays their home games in the Westfalenstadion?

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 21 Danske Bank Premiership 33 22 4 7 76 34 2020-20 Goals Goals App. County Antrim Shield 3 2 0 1 9 4 & 6 7 (2 as sub) UEFA Champions League 2 1 0 1 2 1 3 6 Kirk Millar as sub) r 36 (1 Europa League 1 0 0 1 0 1 immy Callache – J 35 Total: 39 25 4 10 87 40 Johns 15 Chris 35 (5 as sub) tewart 5 Jordan S (2 as sub) 34 14 Niall Quinn as sub) rth 33 (19 ndrew Waterwo ub) 1 LINFIELD PLAYING RECORD 2019-20 A 31 (2 as s Haughey 1 P W D L F A Mark 30 (3 as sub) grew 22 Danske Bank Premiership 31 22 3 6 71 24 Jamie Mul 4 as sub) 30 ( 3 Shayne Lavery sub) Co. Antrim Shield 2 1 1 0 7 3 29 (10 as d Nasseri – League Cup 4 3 0 1 10 7 Navi 26 (4 as sub) Clarke – Matthew (2 as sub) UEFA Champions League 2 0 0 2 0 6 24 2 Kyle McClean s sub) UEFA Europa League 6 4 1 1 12 9 21 (6 a phen Fallon ) – Ste 19 (1 as sub UTU Champions Cup 2 0 1 1 1 7 epper 3 Conor P 5 (1 as sub) Irish Cup 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 1 Joel Cooper as sub) 14 (2 Total: 48 30 6 12 102 58 oss Larkin sub) 2 R 14 (13 as ty Manzinga 1 Chris 13 (3 as sub) Palmer – Cameron (1 as sub) 11 1 Mark Stafford s sub) Tonight’s Fixtures: 11 (7 a stien Hery ) – Ba 6 (3 as sub Ballymena United ( ) Portadown ( ) Kearns 1 Daniel 6 (4 as sub) ern 1 Carrick Rangers ( ) Belfast Celtic ( ) Ryan McGiv 5 ry ichael Newber – Cliftonville ( ) Portstewart ( ) M 4 Boyle 1 Ethan 4 as sub Coleraine ( ) Crusaders ( ) evlin – Matthew Sh 3

avid Walsh ub) – Glenavon ( ) Dungannon Swifts ( ) D 3 (2 as s on Doyle – Brand 1 Warrenpoint Town ( ) Ballyclare Com. ( ) e 1 Alex Moor as sub 1 Joshua Archer Follow, follow Linfield! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLinfieldFC Twitter: OfficialBlues @

Look at Linfield l 11 fprolamy eorus r

pby Jamaes Kesnnedy t Chris Casement Chris Casement has his school caretaker to thank for a career in football that has taken him from Belvoir Estate in Belfast to Stowmarket in Suffolk. “Eddie saw me playing football at Belvoir Park Primary School and got me linked up with Boyland FC”. Chris then moved to the famous St Andrew’s club, and before long he was a regular visitor to Scotland, among the first groups of boys to experience Rangers’ new Murray Park training complex. “A lot of boys from my team made this trip, Robert Garrett, Steven Davis, Chris Brunt, Daryl Fordyce, and we were blown away by the standard of the facilities”. Other clubs were also keeping an eye on the classy defender, and it was when playing in the local Foyle and Milk Cup competitions that Ipswich Town decided they liked what they saw, offering Chris a two year Scholarship deal. An impressive start with The Tractor Boys meant that, after one season, Chris signed his first professional contract “We won the FA Youth Cup final in 2005, beating Southampton, and I got a few games for the 1st team before an injury kept me out for a while”. Jim Magilton was Ipswich manager, and Chris went on loan to Millwall, Hamilton Academicals and Wycombe Wanderers, with mixed success. “At Hamilton I moved into a flat recently vacated by Andy Waterworth, but it was at Wycombe where I felt I got on best. The manager was Peter Taylor (formerly England boss) and there was talk of me moving there permanently”. That move never materialised and, back at Ipswich, a new manager was in charge – Roy Keane. “Ipswich’s aim was Premiership football and there was a high turnover in players. I was

Look at Linfield l 12 offered a lucrative deal by Dundee and headed up to Scotland”. Christ describes that move as ‘a nightmare’. “Basically the Dundee manager didn’t rate me, and I didn’t play many games. I was then faced with a decision – sit out my contract at Dundee or go elsewhere”. At one stage, ‘elsewhere’ looked like being Morecambe, under Sammy McIlroy, but Chris’s next move was on loan to Linfield. “Encouraged by Alfie Wylie, I joined on loan in January 2010, then permanently in the summer, and in each of my 2 ½ seasons at Windsor the team won the League and Cup Double. It was great to play with Clean Sweep legends like Noel Bailie and Winkie Murphy, and also some of the up-and-coming legends like Jamie Mulgrew”. The summer of 2012 saw Chris move to Portadown under Ronnie McFall, a man he says gave him great confidence and belief in himself. “I really enjoyed playing for Ronnie. We had four good seasons, I was in the same dressing room again as Michael Gault and Robert Garrett, the people were great and we reached the Irish Cup final in 2015, before the team broke up”. And then it was back to Windsor Park and another legend of the game. “David Healy was in the hot seat and was setting about changing the Linfield team. He gave me a chance, and the next 4 years brought me, and the club, more success, including 3 League title winners’ medals”. Chris’ Linfield experience is now over, and he is currently signed to Stowmarket Town in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division. “Corona virus restrictions mean I haven’t played many games for the club, but I am kept busy at Ipswich Town where I currently coach. And I have a new role starting soon, dealing with player recruitment. Not to mention looking after my two daughters, and wife Cathy, all of which keeps me busy”. So, there you have it. If you hear Stowmarket Town or Ipswich Town mentioned, think Chris Casement!

Look at Linfield l 13

Linfield vice-chairman Stephen Dickson presents the Discount Blinds Linfield tv March goal of the month trophy to Joel Cooper following the recent home game against Ballymena. The winning goal was scored by Joel at Seaview.

Kirk Millar is pictured receiving the Ronnie Morrison sponsored Man of the Match award from Ronnie Morrison following the recent home win against Ballymena United.

Look at Linfield l 15 David Healy

Stephen Fallon

Cameron Palmer

Linfield players in a mark of respect following the death of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

Look at Linfield l 16 Saturday, April 17, 2021 Windsor Park, Belfast Shayne Linfeld ...... 2 Lavery Ballymena United .....1 Danske Bank Premiership

Shayne Lavery

Stephen Fallon Cameron Palmer

Look at Linfield l 17 WILLIAM COATES L IMITED

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Look at Linfield l 18 Joel Cooper is pictured receiving the Junior Blues player of the season trophy for last season from Linfield director Stephen Shaw before the recent home game against Ballymena.

Matthew Clarke puts pen to paper on a contract extension that commits the popular full- back to the club to the end of the 2022-23 season.

Look at Linfield l 19 by Dan Brown

An Honest Game When the news of a potential breakaway Super League leaked on Sunday 18 April, revulsion appeared to be the overriding response. Divorced from the origins of the game, those pushing such ventures appear greedy holding scant regard for footballing traditions and the fans that the sport is nothing without. As this publication has stated on numerous occasions: “ Supporters are the lifeblood of football and at Windsor Park this has always been the case ”. Leaf back through any volume of Look at Linfield and you will see the emphasis placed on the role that fans play. One of the recurring themes that has run through this column during this Corona-hit campaign has been the vacuum created by the loss of fans at games. The eerie experience of watching a streamed game with no fans in attendance may have become “the new normal” but it is a hollow existence – which hopefully will change in the near future. Given the circumstances of the past year, when the communal experience of the game has been lost, the announcement of a Super League rubbed salt into a gaping wound football is already suffering from. Sadly, the conditions for such a venture have long been in the making. The experience of clubs like our own in European competition have long indicated where football was headed. The ignominy of qualifying for Europe in 1994 as Champions of the Irish League – yet having to compete in the UEFA Cup is not fondly remembered at this club. In the early 1990s UEFA were on a path to formalising a Champions League format, which would serve the purposes of the ‘big’ Leagues. Incredibly, despite the vast sums generated by the UEFA competition, this did not seem to be enough for the rich owners of some of the elite clubs across the continent. Despite the changes in the organisation of the game, which were so pronounced in the early 1990s (both the reshaping of European football and the establishment of the English Premier League), there has always remained a charm about Irish League football. The League will never be able to compete with the money of England’s topflight or the premier clubs in Europe. That said there is an authenticity to football at this level.

Look at Linfield l 20 Reflecting on our (in)famous game away to Copenhagen in the autumn of 1993, this column has previously quoted from Chris Lightbown of the Sunday Times who was in Denmark for the game. Enamoured by our travelling support, Lightbown was full of admiration for the interaction between players and fans on the trip, and concluded his piece comparing Northern Irish football to 1950s England. Harking back to an era when elite football was much closer to its grassroots is something that has been very much to the fore over the past number of days. All the while the conversation about a Super League continues the yearning for simpler days will remain. At Linfield fans enjoy a blessed experience. Strikers like Harry Kane at Spurs and Alan Shearer at Newcastle are vaunted in England for representing their boyhood clubs. At Linfield it would be quite a task to count the number of players who have represented ‘their club’. Our standout defender Jimmy Callacher is well-known as a Blueman, Jordan Stewart is the same and follows in a family tradition of wearing the Royal Blue. Go back to the early 1990s and that transformational era for football and consider the parting words of striker Martin McGaughey as he left Windsor for Ards. Speaking to Look at Linfield Martin explained: “It will be very hard to get Linfield out of my system as I have always been a Blueman and I don’t expect this to change” . Humble to the end Buckets signed off with gratitude: “ I would like to thank the supporters most sincerely for everything I achieved at the Park” . Money will continue to sully the game we all love, the top levels of the game, will no doubt continue to rake in obscene finances. But there will always be an honesty to football at this level, which a club like Linfield can rightly revel in.

Quiz Answers: (1) Wilian Jose; (2) Ryan Mason; (3) Spain; (4) Fenerbahce; (5) 2; (6) Borussia Dortmund.

Look at Linfield l 21 Linfield FC is delighted to introduce a new Ladies Leisure wear range, as unveiled in the photos by Pacemaker Press. The stunning new Ladies items are available from the Online Superstore now and (subject to availability) from the Windsor Superstore when it reopens, in line with the easing of lockdown restrictions, on Friday April 30. Ahead of the first game in the Danske Bank NIFL women’s Premiership at home to Sion Swifts on Wednesday April 28, two Linfield players, Victoria Carleton and Cora Morgan, are wearing the new Ladies Leisurewear range items in the photographs. Full details of the items, including sizes and prices, are available from the Online Superstore.

Ladies Kit Launch

Look at Linfield l 22 Jordan Stewart and David Healy pictured at the Windsor Park launch of the partnership with Fantastic Fanatics. OBITUARY Linfield FC records with sadness the passing of former player, John Kennedy on April 6 in Carrickfergus. John was born on April 9, 1943 and he played with Linfield Rangers in season 1957/58. In 1958/59 the right back made 14 appearances for Linfield Swifts and in both 1959/60 and 1960/61 he made 43 appearances for the Swifts. He scored once in 1960/61. He played for the first team in a 5-1 away defeat by Crusaders on April 21, 1960 and he won various youth, schoolboy, amateur and junior international honours. He picked up a Youth cup winners medal in 1960 when Linfield Rangers defeated Lower Shankill 3-1 in the final. He signed for Glentoran in 1961 and he made 43 appearances for the Oval side until 1964 when he joined Ards. In 1968 he joined Bangor where he remained until the 1971/72 season. The sympathy of everyone at Linfield FC has been extended to the family circle at this sad time.

Look at Linfield l 23 Jordan Stewart

Saturday, April 3, 2021 Stangmore Park, Dungannon Dungannon Swifts 0 – Linﬁeld 2 Danske Bank Premiership

Niall Quinn

Christy Manzinga

Look at Linfield l 24 Kirk Millar

Shayne Lavery

Navid Jordan Nasseri Stewart

Look at Linfield l 25 Shayne Lavery

Mark Haughey

Stephen Fallon

Look at Linfield l 26 Andrew Waterworth

Saturday, April 24, 2021 Mourneview Park Glenavon 3 – Linﬁeld 2 Danske Bank Premiership

Niall Quinn Christy Manzinga

Look at Linfield l 27 Tonight’s visitors – Annagh United

Annagh United thrilled to be playing at Windsor Park this evening Since the formation of Annagh United FC almost 60 years ago, the club, which is based on the Tandragee Road in Portadown, is now home of one of the finest venues in County Armagh following several years of development. They boast an excellent 3G pitch, which is used for men, women and kids football, as well as many senior cup competitions and junior tournaments. The Club was originally founded by a small group of local men, two of whom are still on the Annagh board today – Brian McGurgan and Alan Flavelle. They had the foresight and enthusiasm to invest in an idea which was based on cross-community values that still remain to this day. The team over the years has risen from playing in the Mid-Ulster Leagues to most recently winning the Premier Intermediate League. Even though the 2020/21 season failed to start, the Club are proud of their future position within the NIFL Championship and look forward to establishing themselves as a Championship club for many years to come. The current squad is a mixture of both youth and experience, with numerous first team players having come through the ranks of the Youth Academy along with a host of experienced signings. Numerous players in the squad have previously played at Premiership level and their knowledge of the game has been a massive benefit to the younger players in the team. In the current squad, Niall Henderson, Dermot McCaffrey, Craig Taylor, Jake Richardson and Lee Upton have all represented different clubs in the NIFL Premiership, but the opportunity for all these players to represent Annagh United against Linfield at Windsor Park is a dream come true after what has been a long and difficult 14 months. The management team of Ciaran McGurgan, Simon Haffey, Paul Matchett, John Convery and Alan Murphy have enjoyed three successful years at the club, taking

Look at Linfield l 28 over in 2017-18, they saved the club from relegation to mid-Ulster football. In 2018-19 they finished runners-up in the PIL and in 2019-20 they went one step closer when they won the League and now relish the challenge of the NIFL Championship. “We are delighted we stood by our decision to face Linfield, it’s all about the players and the experience for them. We are under no illusions – this is a huge ask of our players, but one they simply need to enjoy. With basically no football in 12 months, we are just glad to be back on the pitch playing and no better way to do it than to play Linfield at Windsor Park in an historic night for the club,” said manager Ciaran McGurgan

Danske Bank Premiership League Table 2020-21 P. W. D. L. F. A. Points Linfield 33 22 4 7 76 34 70 Glentoran 33 18 9 6 61 29 63 Coleraine 33 18 8 7 50 32 62 Cliftonville 33 16 8 9 55 35 56 Larne 33 15 10 8 56 35 55 Crusaders 33 16 5 12 59 40 53 Glenavon 33 14 10 9 56 57 52 Ballymena United 33 13 7 13 50 40 46 Portadown 33 8 6 19 40 65 30 Warrenpoint Town 33 6 9 18 32 65 27 Carrick Rangers 33 4 8 21 28 77 20 Dungannon Swifts 33 4 4 25 18 72 16

This eveChnrisi nMogrris’son officials: Referee: Stephen Bell and Vikki Finlay Linesmen: Louise Thompson 4th Official:

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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