Cliftonville Football & Athletic Clubis a semi-professional[2]association footballclub playing in theNIFL Premiership– the top division of theNorthern Ireland Football League.The club was founded in September 1879 byJohn McAleryin the suburb ofCliftonvillein northBelfastand are the founders of football inIreland.
 | |||
| Full name | Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Reds | ||
| Founded | September 1879 | ||
| Ground | Solitude | ||
| Capacity | 6000[1] | ||
| Manager | Jim Magilton | ||
| League | NIFL Premiership | ||
| 2023–24 | NIFL Premiership,3rd of 12 | ||
| Website | https://cliftonvillefc.net/ | ||
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| |||
It is the oldestfootballclub inIrelandand celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2019. Since 1890, the club has played home matches atSolitude.Cliftonville contests theNorth Belfast derbywith nearby rivalsCrusaders,and also has local rivalries withLinfieldandGlentoran.
The club has won theleague titlefive times outright including one shared title, theIrish Cupnine times and theNorthern Ireland Football League Cupsix times.
History
editFounders of football in Ireland
editThe foundation of Cliftonville F.C. was announced on 20 September 1879 in notices in theBelfast News-LetterandNorthern Whig,which asked "gentlemen desirous of becoming members" of the "Cliftonville Association Football Club (Scottish Association Rules)" to communicate withJohn McAlery,a young Belfast businessman and manager of the "Irish Tweed House", Royal Avenue, and later with premises in Rosemary Street, or R.M. Kennedy, and advertising an "opening practice today at 3.30".[3][4]
Only one week after the advertisement was published, Cliftonville played its first recorded game atCliftonville Cricket Groundagainst a selection ofrugbyplayers known asQuidnunces,the game took place on 29 September 1879. The newly formed club, however, was beaten 2–1. In its first match against the Scottish club Caledonian, it fared worse: a 1–9 defeat.[3]
In 1880, it was again John McAlery who was the moving spirit in the formation of theIrish Football Association.He issued an invitation to interested parties inBelfastand district for a meeting to be called. The first meeting took place on 18 November 1880 at Queen's Hotel, Belfast, presided over by John Sinclair, from which theIrish Football Associationwas formed. While Major Chichester was appointed president, McAlery became the honorary secretary of the association. This meeting also paved the way for theIrish Cup.
Early years
edit
The first Irish Cup final, played at Cliftonville on 9 April 1881, saw a 1–0 defeat againstMoyola Park,an opponent that was well known for "rough and brutal play". In the following year Cliftonville lost again in the Irish Cup final, 1–0 againstQueen's Island.[5][6]In 1883 Cliftonville won the cup for the first time with a 5–0 win overUlster.[3]
During the 1880s Cliftonville also played in the EnglishFA Cup,competing in the competition proper in1886–87and1887–88.In 1886–87 they finally lost in the third round 11–0 at home toPartick Thistleafter beatingBlackburn Park Road7–2 in an earlier round. In 1887–88 they scratched their match with Church (Accrington).[7]The match lost toLinfield7–0 in1888is the only FA Cup match to be played on Christmas Day.[8]
The inaugural meeting of theIrish Football Leaguewas held on 14 March 1890 in theBelfastEstate Office of theMarquess of Dufferin and Avawith M. McNeice (Cliftonville) as its first president. Eight clubs agreed to participate: Cliftonville, Clarence, Milford, Oldpark, Distillery,Glentoran,Ulster and Linfield. In the 1905–06 season Cliftonville won theLeaguefor the first time, a success that was repeated in the 1909–10 campaign.[3]
In 1891, Cliftonville became the first Irish football club to utilize floodlights during games. As reported, "It seems incredible, but it is a fact that in 1891 two matches were played under electric lights at Cliftonville: Distillery defeated the Reds 4–2, and the Black Watch held Cliftonville to a 2–2 draw. Kick-off in each case was at 8 pm with lights suspended across the pitch. These were later dismantled with the announcement that spectators found it difficult to follow the action and that" the players seemed to have all the fun in the middle ". It had been a bold experience, but not a highly successful one with the public skeptical, almost contemptuous of this enterprising project."[9]
In 1897 Cliftonville won the Irish Cup after a 3–1 win over Sherwood Foresters. A quite unusual protest was launched by Cliftonville after being beaten byBelfast Celticin the 1900 Irish Cup competition. The Celtic goalposts were eventually measured and it was found out that they were much too short. A replay took place, in which Cliftonville reversed the 4–0 defeat in the earlier match. Subsequently they won the Cup that year, after beatingBohemians2–1 in the Final.[3]
Long gap between victories
editBeing an all-amateur team until the early 1970s,[10]Cliftonville subsequently played a minor role in Northern Irish football as professionalism took hold. It was only in 1976, under managerJackie Huttonand his assistant Jackie Patterson, that Cliftonville experienced a "revolution in fortune" which peaked on 28 April 1979 in theIrish CupFinal atWindsor Park.In front of 18,000 spectators, the largest attendance for many years, Cliftonville beatPortadown3–2 with goals from John Platt, Mike Adair and a late winner from Tony Bell. Unusually, the Reds were playing in yellow and blue that day. A similar strip was launched for the club's appearance in the 2009 showpiece.
In the years after this achievement, Cliftonville returned to the lower reaches of theIrish League,and in the Nineties frequently ended bottom of the league but relegation was not applied at that time. However, things started to improve after winning theFloodlit Cupin 1996 and theCounty Antrim Shieldin 1997 for the first time in 88 years.
Under managerMarty Quinn,a player from the cup-winning side of 1979, Cliftonville won the Irish League in 1997–98 for the first time in 88 years at Solitude after a 1–1 draw against Glentoran.UTV's coverage of the post-match wait in the home changing-room, which erupted in celebration once the title win had been confirmed, brought the Reds' victory to a wide audience. After the Cliftonville players returned to the Solitude pitch, Reds Captain Mickey Donnelly lifted the Irish League trophy. Donnelly was made new Captain at the start of the season after replacing Marty Tabb.
Yet the championship was followed by another potential highlight that turned out badly for Cliftonville, when the 1999 final of the Irish Cup between Cliftonville andPortadownwas cancelled due to a Cliftonville player who had featured in the semi-final being deemed ineligible. Portadown were given a walkover in the final.
Cliftonville subsequently entered the European arena for the first time, playing Nantes of France in the first round of the European Cup Winners Cup. The Reds lost 7–0 in France and 1–0 at Solitude.
21st century
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(February 2023) |
Former player and Captain Marty Tabb was appointed new manager and former defender Stephen Small was appointed Assistant Manager at the turn of the century. The Reds subsequently reverted to type, escaping relegation by beatingArdsin relegation matches in two consecutive years. Nevertheless, in 2003 the Reds caused an upset by winning theIrish League Cup,beatingLarne.The Reds were back in the relegation play-off in the 2003–04 season, but comfortably disposed ofArmagh Cityover the two legs. After a string of poor results, Tabb resigned in 2004. FormerInstitutebossLiam Becketttook over but only managed the club for the 2004–05 season.
Since then the Reds have progressed, with a fifth-place finish in 2005–06 under new managerEddie Patterson,(who replacedLiam Beckett), and his Assistant Tommy Breslin. Fifth was the club's highest finish since the league win of 1997–98.
The 2006–07 season was a successful one for the club getting to the League Cup final and winning theCounty Antrim Shield.Finishing third ensured European football for the first time in five years.
Cliftonville beatDinaburgofLatviain the First Round of the2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup,the home leg was played atWindsor Park,Belfast and finished 1–1 with Kieron O'Connor scoring the Cliftonville goal, on his competitive debut and the away leg was played at the Celtnieks Stadium in the Latvian city of Daugavpils. Mark Holland scored the only goal of the game and secured Cliftonville's first victory in European competition.
During the 2007–08 campaign Cliftonville's performances in the first half of the season had seemed to make them genuine title contenders, spending much of the early and middle part of the season top of the table, going top with five games to go, however a poor run of form in the final fixtures of the campaign ended their hopes of winning the biggest prize in local football. The Reds finished the league campaign in third position fourteen points adrift of ChampionsLinfield.
However Cliftonville again secured European football, in the shape of theUEFA Cup.This success meant that the club became the first Northern Irish side to play in all of UEFA's competitions. This time being drawn against Danish giantsCopenhagen,the home leg took place atMourneview Park,Lurgan and resulted in a 4–0 defeat with the return leg two weeks later held in the Danish National Stadium,Parken Stadiumand the result again was unfavourable – this time a 7–0 defeat.
During the 2008–09 campaign Cliftonville struggled in terms of their league performance but finished strongly to secure a top 6 finish. They won the County Antrim Shield and reached the Irish Cup final, 30 years since their previous victory in the competition. Cliftonville lost in the final to their near neighbours,Crusaders.The season was a success on a personal note for captainChris Scannell,who finished top goalscorer in all competitions, and won the covetedUlster Footballer of the Yeartrophy.
The Reds began the following season, 2009–10, eager to carry on the largely good form of the last few months of the previous one. That run largely continued, with the highlight a 4–0 destruction in the derby game againstLinfieldatSolitude.The Reds finished second on 69 points, a 1–0 defeat away to Linfield in the penultimate game cost the Reds the championship.
The 2010–11 season began with a 1–0 aggregate win over Croatian sideHNK Cibaliain thesecond qualifying roundof the Europa league. Cliftonville lost toCSKA Sofiain Bulgaria in the first match of the third qualifying round, 3–0. In the 2nd Leg Cliftonville lost 1–2 on the night which secured a 5–1 aggregate success for Sofia, who were allowed to remain in the competition when UEFA ruled that Cliftonville's appeal over the ineligibility of CSKA midfielderSpas Delevhad not been lodged within the required 24-hour time frame.[11]At the end of the 2010–11 season, Eddie Patterson became the first manager to be sacked in the club's history. He was replaced by Tommy Breslin.
The 2012–13 season was the most successful in the club's history. A win in the2012–13 Irish League Cupfinal in January 2013 over rivalsCrusaderswas followed up with a League Championship, courtesy of a ninety-second-minute penalty from George McMullan againstLinfieldon 14 April 2013. The club missed out on a treble when they were defeated 3–1 after extra time in the2012–13 Irish Cupfinal byGlentoranon 4 May 2013.
The club started the following season in theUEFA Champions league second qualifying round,losing to Scottish championsCeltic[12]in both legs. In January 2014, the club lifted their second consecutive League Cup against the same final opponents as the previous season, Crusaders. A 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory after a 0–0 draw was enough to earn the club's third League Cup title overall.
In January 2015, Cliftonville defeated Ballymena United 3–2 in the League Cup final at Windsor Park to secure a third League Cup in a row.
In September 2015Gerard Lyttlesucceeded the highly successful Tommy Breslin.
On 13 February 2016, Cliftonville won its fourth consecutive League Cup by defeating Ards 3–0 in the final at Solitude.
In May 2017, Lyttle was replaced by Barry Gray. Gray guided his side to an Irish Cup final appearance in 2018, losing 3–1 to Coleraine.
On 4 February 2019, formerInstitutemanagerPaddy McLaughlinwas appointed as Cliftonville manager following the dismissal of Barry Gray. In McLaughlin's first full season in charge, the 2019–20 season, Cliftonville finished fourth in theNIFL Premiership.
In the 2021–22 season, Paddy McLaughlin guided the club to a strong second-placed finish, taking the title race withLinfielddown to the wire.
On 13 March 2022 Cliftonville won its sixth League Cup againstColeraineat Windsor Park in a thrilling final that ended 4–3 to the Reds in extra time.
On 17 April 2023 Paddy McLaughlin left the manager's post at Solitude to become the assistant manager at his hometown clubDerry City.Jim Magiltonwas appointed in June 2023 as McLaughlin's successor.
On 4 May 2024 Magilton ended the 45-year wait to lift the Irish Cup beatingLinfield3-1 AET at the National Stadium. Ronan Hale scoring a brace in extra time and his brother and captain Rory picking up the man of the match award.
European record
editOverview
edit| Competition | Matches | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | 6
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
20
|
| UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League | 20
|
4
|
4
|
12
|
15
|
37
|
| UEFA Conference League | 2
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
| European Cup Winners' Cup | 2
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
8
|
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 10
|
1
|
2
|
7
|
5
|
23
|
| TOTAL | 40
|
5
|
7
|
28
|
22
|
93
|
Matches
edit
UEFA ranking
edit- As of 5 July 2024[13]
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 389 |  Dečić |
2.000 |
| 390 | Iskra |
2.000 |
| 391 |  Cliftonville |
2.000 |
| 392 |  Brera Strumica |
2.000 |
| 393 |  Široki Brijeg |
2.000 |
Current squad
edit- As of 1 January 2025[14]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules;some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
On loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules;some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Managerial history
edit- Frankie Parks
- Marty Quinn(October 1994 – October 1999)
- Liam Beckett
- Eddie Patterson(22 July 2005 – 1 April 2011)
- Tommy Breslin (26 May 2011 – 15 September 2015)
- Gerard Lyttle(September 2015 – March 2017)
- Barry Gray (9 May 2017 – 19 January 2019)
- Paddy McLaughlin(4 February 2019 – 17 April 2023)
- Jim Magilton(6 June 2023 – present)
Honours
editSenior honours
edit- Irish League Championship:5 (inc. 1 shared)
- Irish Cup:9
- Northern Ireland Football League Cup:6
- County Antrim Shield:11
- Charity Shield:2
- 1998, 2014
- Gold Cup:3
- Floodlit Cup:1
- Belfast Charity Cup:10
- Alhambra Cup:1
Intermediate honours
edit- Irish League B Division:1
- 1953–54†
- B Division Section 2/Reserve League/NIFL Premiership Development League:6
- 1980–81†, 2000–01†, 2011–12†, 2013–14†, 2015–16†, 2019–20†
- Irish Intermediate Cup:3
- 1895–96†, 1899–1900†, 1901–02†
- George Wilson Cup:5
- 1999–2000†, 2007–08†, 2012–13†, 2015–16†, 2016–17†
- Steel & Sons Cup:6
- 1899–1900†, 1901–02†, 1906–07†, 1907–08†, 1913–14†, 1921–22†
- McElroy Cup:1
- 1919–20†
- Clarence Cup:1
- 1932–33‡
† Won by Cliftonville Olympic (reserve team)
‡ Won by Cliftonville Strollers (reserve team)
Junior honours
edit- Irish Junior Cup: 5
- 1888–89†, 1892–93†, 1904–05‡, 1908–09‡, 1932–33‡
† Won by Cliftonville Olympic (reserve team)
‡ Won by Cliftonville Strollers (reserve team)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"NIFL Premiership Football Grounds In Northern Ireland".footballgroundmap.com. March 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 2 August 2023.Retrieved2 August2023.
- ^"Cliftonville Football Club".LinkedIn.Retrieved26 April2022.
- ^abcdeMalcolm Brodie, "100 Years of Irish Football", Blackstaff Press, Belfast (1980)
- ^Northern Whig, 20 September 1879
- ^"Irish Challenge Cup – Final Tie".Freeman's Journal.15 May 1882. p. 7.
- ^"Irish Football Association – Final Cup Tie".Belfast News-Letter.15 May 1882. p. 8.
- ^Collett, Mike (2003).The Complete Record of The FA Cup.p. 239.ISBN1-899807-19-5.
- ^Collett, Mike (2003).The Complete Record of The FA Cup.p. 878.ISBN1-899807-19-5.
- ^Belfast Newsletter,Thursday 9 April 1891
- ^"Irish Cup final: Cliftonville v Linfield decider 90 years in the making".BBC Sport.3 May 2024.Retrieved6 January2025.
- ^"Cliftonville miss out on Europa League reprieve".BBC. 17 August 2010.Retrieved18 March2011.
- ^"Celtic face Northern Irish side Cliftonville in Champions League".BBC Sport.24 June 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 25 June 2013.Retrieved24 June2013.
- ^UEFA.com."Member associations – UEFA Coefficients – Club coefficients".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2013.
- ^"Cliftonville".Cliftonville F.C.Archivedfrom the original on 3 September 2020.Retrieved14 August2020.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Cliftonville Statistics and Resultsat the Irish Football Club Project (archived)