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Shedender
The final month in the calendar year is upon us and it has been a fantastic season to date, sitting top of the table and seven points clear, for a club who were predicted to finish ninth in pre season can't be 'sniffed' at as we look to continue the great season in December with six tough games, all in the DBP.
For the first time since arriving at 'stute, we have drew a game as we travelled to Shamrock Park to play out a one one draw, Lee Bell netting ten minutes before half time.
The side were able to bounce back though and record a 'sensational' 4-2 win away to Cliftonville as Liam Parkhouse struck twice, Stephen Keegan netted from the spot two minutes before half time and Lee Bell scored before the hour mark.
Next up was a home clash against Ballymena United and we secured a three one win as our three goals came inside the opening thirty minutes. Kris Bickerstaff scored after only six minutes, Liam Parkhouse on seventeen minutes and then an own goal from Adam Hanna on twenty seven minutes.
On Boxing Day we made the trip to Seaview and beat the basement club 5-2 as Gerard McAllister scored a second half hat trick while Shea Conaty and a Michael Galbraith own goal sealed the win.
Just two days later and Linfield won four two at the Riverside Stadium - Gerard McAllister (18) and Liam Parkhouse (70) our scorers.
And the calendar year would conclude with a seven goal thriller away to Coleraine as the Bannsiders ran out four three winners - Shea Conaty, Darren Hartley and Liam Parkhouse scored our goals but we'll end twenty twenty four with back-to-back defeats.
Those back-to-back defeats means we have to surrender top spot in the league and that's a little disappointing but we are still only a single point behind Cliftonville and could catch them but we need to return to winning ways immediately or all the 'hard work' done in the opening few months will be for nothing, NOTHING.
Johno
Shedender
Hello and welcome to the year twenty twenty five and I'm hoping it'll be a successful year for Institute Football Club as I'd love to try and secure the Premiership title but it's going to be difficult to overtake Cliftonville as, like I said to Johno, have the experience in winning the Premiership title while we don't.
The New Year would kick off with a trip to The Oval to face Glentoran and we would return to Drumahoe with a 3-1 victory as we needed two goals inside the final twelve minutes to secure maximum points. Kris Bickerstaff scored on forty one minutes, Gerard McAllister on seventy eight and substitute Adam Matier sealed the points with three minutes to go.
We then suffered a humiliating four nil defeat at home to Glenavon. Nothing else to say. Unacceptable.
A trip to Queens University Belfast awaited us in the fifth round of the Irish Cup and we eased to the sixth round, recording a 4-1 victory thanks to goals from Shea Conaty, Colin Connor, Adam Matier and Lee Bell.
The side then would once again suffer a home humiliation as Ballinamallard sealed a disgusting seven four win at the Riverside Stadium. Our goals came from Shea Conaty, Adam Matier, Conor Lavery and Lee Bell but it just wasn't good enough and back-to-back home humilations need to be addressed.
It's now a seven point gap between ourselves as Cliftonville but I didn't complete the month at 'stute because some big news became upon us, a job vacancy, one I feel I may need to take because it'll be a chance to win the Premiership title, something I doubt I could achieve at Institute.
And now what's the big news I hear you whisper, well, it's here:
English side Notts County have appointed Chris Baird as their new manager after 'wowing' them in an interview, what that means if the job at Linfield Football Club has become available and one I feel I will need to take (well that or Cliftonville but f**k Cliftonville) if I'm ever to try and secure the Premiership title and chalk off another trophy in Northern Ireland.
A few years ago I decided to apply for the Linfield job, was offered the job but then declined it and then I thought it wouldn't come up again for a long, long time.
Johno
Gendo
Shedender
Gendo, that's exactly why I was seriously considering applying for the job in a hope that I'd be successful because they're obviously a successful club (sixty league titles aren't a lie) with the last league success coming in 2024.
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Following the news that the job at Linfield, the most successful club who have won SIXTY Premiership trophies, the last coming in twenty twenty four I decided that I was going to apply for the post in a hope that I'll get it but I wasn't going to hold my breath as I'm still employed with Institute as I've decided not to resign from that post.
Much to my delight, I have been offered an interview with the Windsor Park club as I hope to impress them enough to get the vacant post. Just like every single job interview, I get asked the same rubbish questions, including about how I've 'broken promises' in the past, get over that. Just hope I've done enough to impress them.
Get in. I've done enough to impress the Linfield chairman that I have been offered the job and received a two year deal in the process and will see me 'earn' six hundred and fifty pounds per week.
The boards expectation is to qualify for the Europa League and I feel that's achievable but I didn't realise that the squad was quite small to signings will need to be made in certain positions, particularly in the attacking positions. We've got a transfer budget of just under forty three thousand pound.
Johno
Shedender
Since my arrival at Windsor Park, I realised that I had four days to set up my tactic and familiarise myself with the current bunch of players as I felt some signings were needed in the January transfer window as I only had around ten days remaining, not ideal but I'm sure I'll sort signings out. My first game in charge is a League Cup final against Cliftonville.
Before I move onto the results of the two games this month, I have brought in five players but they'll all be cup-tied for the League Cup final and Irish Cup as well, annoying for sure but nothing I can do about that unfortunately.
I have decided to waste no time in raiding my former employers Institute as I brought in four players from them and I should feel bad for that but I don't.
Stephen Boyd was the first to join as the left back cost twenty five thousand pound, central defender Conor McCullough set us back sixty thousand, winger Lee Bell joined for just under twenty thousand, attacking midfielder Stuart McVicker came for fifteen and a half thousand while our last signing saw Jordan Stewart arrived for sixty one thousand from rivals Glentoran.
In my first game at Linfield was the League Cup final against Cliftonville as I secured my first trophy at Windsor Park on my Blues 'bow', securing a 4-2 victory. Dean McLaughlin, William Hughes, Matthew Clarke (pen) and striker Andy Montgomery all netted in the final.
Coincidently my first league game in charge was away to Cliftonville as six goals were shared as Lee Bell netted on his debut for the club after only three minutes, Andy Montgomery fired home on thirty three and then Matthew Clarke netted back-to-back penalties against the same opposition.
Suppose it seems pointless to post this table, doesn't it? One league game was played as the club remain in third place and two points behind my former employers Institute and ten points behind the league leaders, of course we won't win the league this season but we'll try and win it next season.
Johno
Congrats on winning League Cup
SBR
Cymro
Dan
Shedender
Cheers SBR.
Cheers Cymro, as the plan is to win trophies I felt the move to Linfield was much needed.
It was the perfect start Dan, if you think we'll win the league this season then I'm afraid I've got some 'bad news'.
As I had arrived at Windsor Park near the end of January so February twenty twenty five would prove to be my first full month at the football club as we'd face three Premiership encounters including one against our 'fierce' rivals Glentoran while we'd face P.S.N.I in the Irish Cup.
And it would be the derby encounter against Glentoran at Windsor Park would begin the month as we conceded late on to draw one one. Left back Matthew Clarke broke the deadlock from the penalty spot ten minutes before half time but despite dominating, Glentoran levelled near the end.
Four days later we travelled to P.S.N.I in the sixth round of the Irish Cup and it was so similar to the Glens game, we took the lead on nine minutes through Andy Montgomery but the hosts equalised and forced a replay.
The replay against the Police was four days later and a first half double from Andy Montgomery ensured our progression.
We then returned to league action as the side made the trip to Ballymena United and eased to a 2-0 victory - Lee Bell opened the scoring after seventeen minutes through winger Lee Bell but we needed to wait until second half stoppage time to seal the points, Dean McLaughlin added goal two.
A 'televised' home game against Ballinamallard would see us complete the month and record a 4-2 victory as Lee Bell (2), Mark Haughey and William Hughes all netted.
Just eight league games are remaining and it's Cliftonville's league title to throw away as they've a ten point gap and have also secured a European place but truth be told, I'm glad the league can't be won this season (yes, I've ruled ourselves out of it) but I'd love to win it next year.
Shedender
Since I've already ruled out the league title, the remaining eight league games will hopefully see us finish the season as runners-up and then I can try and launch a title challenge next season. Just three league games were played in March, one Irish Cup game and both legs of the "All-Ireland" Cup against Cork City.
We would drop two points as the month started with a two all draw at bottom club Crusaders. Lee Bell got us off to a great start at Seaview, netting after only three minutes while Mark Brown netted our second on the stroke of half time but it was a disappointing result.
One week later and we'd face the Crues again, this time in the quarter finals of the Irish Cup as we'd progress 4-2 at Windsor Park but we needed to rely on two late goals to seal our place in the semis as both Dean McLaughlin and Michael Newberry hit doubles in either half.
Just three days later and Cork made the trip to south Belfast for the All-Ireland Cup quarter final first leg as two second half goals ensured a 2-0 first leg victory - Michael Newberry and Lee Bell the scorers.
I'd then face and beat my former employers Institute three one at home as Michael Newberry and former 'stute winger Lee Bell both scored inside the opening twenty minutes, Newberry's second of the game with one minute remaining sealed the maximum points.
The side then made the trip down to Cork City for the quarter final second leg and despite losing on the night, managed to progress 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a dramatic 'consolation' goal on the night from Lee Bell whose ninety second minute goal ensured our place in the semi finals as I was preparing for extra time at Turner's Cross.
We would end the month with a 2-0 success at home to Warrenpoint Town as we needed two second half goals to 'break' them. Dean McLaughlin opened the scoring from the penalty spot on sixty four minutes before Jordan Stewart added a second goal with six minutes remaining.
Cliftonville are all but champions bar an absolute collapse as they're twelve points clear with only fifteen points to play for and we actually face them next in the league at Solitude but even if we are to win that game, it would make zero difference. This season (from when I arrived) hasn't been too bad as I've yet to taste defeat but Cliftonville have just been as good, if not better.
Dan
Shedender
We have reached the penultimate and final month of the twenty twenty four/twenty twenty five campaign and because their is only going to be a minimum of one game in May, I have decided to throw it into this update, we could end the season with back-to-back cup finals but we need to progress first.
We started the penultimate month of the campaign with a 'huge' clash away to Cliftonville and we shocked the leaders 3-2 at Solitude as our three goals arrived in the space of fourteen first half minutes - Dean McLaughlin, Conor McCullough and Michael Newberry scored our goals.
Three days later we hosted Dundalk in the semi final of the All-Ireland Cup and we won 5-3 at home in a game that'll be remembered by Mark Brown who scored a second half hat trick while Michael Newberry scored twice as well inside the opening seventeen minutes.
Despite dominating the game in the semi finals of the Irish Cup against Warrenpoint, we needed penalties to beat 'point. Sean Clucas scored on the stroke of half time, winger William Hughes also scored four minutes into extra time but we won the shoot-out.
A trip to Dundalk for the second leg in the All-Ireland semi final was next and despite losing the second leg two one, we advanced to the final and will face Shamrock Rovers - Lee Bell scored our only goal of the game on twenty eight minutes at Oriel Park but I'm delighted we advanced.
Four first half goals from star striker Andy Montgomery helped us destroy my former employers Institute 5-1 at Windsor Park, Jordan Stewart netted our fifth goal of the contest with twenty minutes remaining.
We needed to rely on a Matthew Clarke penalty, two minutes from time to seal a point at home to Glenavon.
For the second time in three games, Andy Montgomery scored four goals to help us beat Dungannon Swifts 5-2 at Stangmore Park, the other goal was a sixth minute own goal from Gerard Gibson.
Our league season concluded with a three one victory over Ballinamallard United - Andy Montgomery scoring a hat trick.
We then faced Cliftonville in the final of the Irish Cup and unfortunately lost the contest three two after extra time as Andy Montgomery had scored our goals on nineteen and ninety two minutes but the Premiership champions won the cup.
However, our final competitive game of the season saw us win the All-Ireland Cup, beating Shamrock Rovers 4-3 after extra time. Lee Bell, Andy Montgomery and Mark Brown had scored our goals in the ninety minutes but Montgomery's second of the game, after one hundred and nine minutes, sealed the victory.
So the league season has been concluded and the club have finished eleven points behind champions Cliftonville and that's not good enough in my opinion and I'm hoping the gap can be closed next season, or we at least win the league but that'll be difficult for sure.
Next season will mark my first full season in charge of the club and I'm looking forward to it.
Shedender
After finishing runners-up last season, I embarked on my first full season at Linfield Football Club and I'm hoping it'll be a season that'll see me chalk off the League, Irish Cup and Co. Antrim Shield but sometimes you don't get what you want so we'll see what happens. This update will have the 'season expectations', 'big' news and the friendly fixtures.
So it's been announced that the Linfield board have only given me two options to choose from and that's because they're a big club and the two options were 'title challenge' and 'winner'. I have decided to play it safe and just stick and 'state' that the club will launch a title challenge and in return I have received a transfer budget of £170k but I doubt that'll even get a dent put into it.
Even though I may not be at the club come time of completion (if I have my way) but I decided to ask the board about upgrading the training facilities and youth facilities and they agreed to do both. The training facilities will set us back £400k while the youth facilities will cost £350k and both are set to be completed in the middle of October next year.
And on the field, it's going to be a busy enough pre season schedule as eight games have been arranged with five of them being at home and two testimonials. The home games will be against Queen of the South, Manchester United U21's, Southampton U21's, Dungannon (Hegarty's testimonial) and Spartans (Clucas' testimonial) while we'll travel to Stirling, Albert Foundry and my beloved Bangor.
SBR
Dan
Shedender
Hmm, we'll see what happens Dan won't we? I'd love to win the three trophies needed so that I'd (hopefully) never need to return to the Premiership but I will need too more than likely for the Mid Ulster Cup.
It's time for me to begin my first full season at Linfield Football Club and I'd love it to be a successful one as after finishing runners-up last season, I'd love to guide the club to the 'big one' while trying to win either the Co. Antrim Shield or Irish Cup, or both.
Six players have joined this summer as once again I've 'raided' my former club Institute to sign shot-stopper Glenn Doyle and striker Liam Parkhouse for a combined eighty thousand pound while the other four players didn't cost us anything. Michael Galbraith is a right back who will be first choice, Mervyn McKinney arrives from Championship 2 side Carrick and will be the star behind the lone striker while both midfielder's Craig Harris and Gavin Brannigan will be starters in the middle of the park.
Just the two players left the club as I decided to terminate their contracts due to not being good enough, both right backs and I wish Andy Finlay and Callum Byers the best in their 'future endeavours' and hope they'll find clubs to continue their playing careers and get first team football in the process.
Due to us competing in European competition, I couldn't get the friendlies in 'order' of the date they were played but c'est le vie and it isn't the end of the world. It was an excellent pre season with just the one defeat, going down five three away to Stirling. We also managed to keep three clean sheets, including one against my beloved Bangor side.
Shedender
On the field it was a successful pre season bar that one defeat away to Stirling but we also had to prepare ourselves for some European action as we look to raise some 'cash'. I have also decided to throw in the month of August in this update as well as we look to make a strong start to the league campaign.
Our first competitive game of the season was a 'daunting' task against Nordsjaelland as we shocked them 3-2 at Windsor Park much to my delight as Andy Montgomery scored twice while winger Lee Bell also netted five minutes into the second half.
Against the odds we then advanced to the Europa League second qualifying round after beating Nordsjaelland on away goals despite losing the second leg five goals to four as once again Andy Montgomery scored twice - Jordan Stewart and Neil McMurray also scored.
We then faced Dundalk at home in the second qualifying round first leg and drew one all, Mervyn McKinney scored our goal on ten minutes.
The second leg was forgettable as Dundalk won 8-2. Lee Bell and Andy Montgomery scored our goals. Forgettable night.
The 2025/26 league campaign began with a trip to Solitude to face last years champions Cliftonville and it was a great start to the season as we won 3-2 in North Belfast. Former Glentoran winger Jordan Stewart scored in between two penalties from left back Matthew Clarke.
We then eased to a four nil win over Knockbreda as goals from Andy Montgomery, Gavin Brannigan and Lee Bell had us three goals up inside the opening twenty minutes, Montgomery's second goal on fifty eight minutes finished the scoring.
Jordan Stewart's goal, fifteen minutes from time ensured a 1-0 win away to Portadown.
The side then progressed to the next round of the Co. Antrim Shield, beating Ards Rangers three one at Windsor Park - Jordan Stewart, Andy Montgomery and William Hughes on target.
It was then a seven goal thriller against rivals Glentoran as we ran out 4-3 winners as goals from Lee Bell (2), Craig Harris and Mervyn McKinney ensured the Blues had 'bragging rights' after victory at The Oval but I wish the result was more convincing.
We then faced Ballinamallard at Windsor Park and suffered our first league defeat of the season as the Mallards won two nil.
August would conclude though with a 'five star' performance against Ballymena United at home as goals from Andy Montgomery, Mervyn McKinney and Dean McLaughlin had us three goals up at half time - both Montgomery and McLaughlin would score in the second half to round off a great afternoon's work.
Bar that disappointing defeat at home to Ballinamallard, it has been a solid start to the Premiership season as we're sitting top and two points clear of last years champions Cliftonville. It must be noted that so far we haven't been conceding that many - seven goals shipped in six games and we've scored seventeen times in the process.
It's been an awful start for my former employers Institute who are rock bottom and win-less.
Dan
SBR
Shedender
It has been a solid start to the league season, sitting top and it would have been a perfect start if we'd have beaten Ballinamallard at home but c'est le vie. September would see us play six games with four of them being in the league, could we maintain our solid start to the season?
We began September with a trip to Championship 1 and recently relegated Crusaders in the quarter finals of the Co. Antrim Shield as we had to name a 'much changed' side due to international call-ups, it didn't bother us though as we ran out 4-3 winners at Seaview in a game that'll be remembered by Lee Bell who hit a treble while Michael Newberry was also on target.
The side then played out a goalless draw at Coleraine.
It was then a third consecutive away game in a third consecutive competition as the League Cup second round took us to rivals Glentoran as we needed a penalty shoot-out to advance. Chris Harris and Dean McLaughlin scored our goals but we advanced on penalties and even though I don't 'need' the trophy no more, I was glad not to crash out to our rivals.
Our first home game of the month saw us beat my former employers Institute 4-2 at Windsor Park as all our goals arrived in the final thirty one minutes, former 'stute man Lee Bell striking a double while Conor McCullough (also formerly of Institute) scored in stoppage time and the other goal was a Daniel Turkington own goal.
We then recorded a 4-1 victory over Glenavon at home thanks to goals from Dean McLaughlin, Mervyn McKinney, Michael Galbraith and Andy Montgomery.
A tough trip to high flying Dungannon would see us complete the month and record back-to-back four one victories, striker Andy Montgomery had scored our only goal of the first half but second half goals from Lee Bell, Dean McLaughlin and Mark Haughey sealed the points.
Ten league games have been played so far this season and we have dropped down to second place on goal difference and that's a little frustrating as we perhaps should've beaten Coleraine at the Coleraine Showgrounds but instead drew nil nil but that's fine because their is still 28 league games remaining.
Dan
SBR
Shedender
Sounds about right SBR, the last team to win the league other than ourselves and Cliftonville was actually Portadown in 2021, I need to win it this year, one way or another.
Despite having an excellent enough start to the league season, we aren't even top of the table as we are lying in second place behind champions Cliftonville on goal difference, three league games were played in the month of October while we also played two cup games as well this month.
A trip to Breda Park started the month as we faced Knockbreda in the third round of the League Cup as we progressed to the fourth round following a 4-2 victory as both wingers Lee Bell and Dean McLaughlin hit doubles.
We then made the journey to Milltown to face Warrenpoint in our first league game this month as we eased to a 5-1 win as goals from Dean McLaughlin and Mervyn McKinney had gotten us off to a dream start inside the opening ten minutes, Lee Bell scored twice in the second half while Andy Montgomery also found the net.
The side then advanced to the final of the Co. Antrim Shield but needed extra time to finish off our rivals Glentoran as we won four three. Matthew Clarke, Conor McCullough (2) and Mervyn McKinney the goal scorers and we'll face Championship 1 side Ards in the final, a real possibility to secure another trophy.
For the second time this month we'd make the trip to Knockbreda but this time it was in the league and we won four one thanks to goals from Liam Parkhouse who had scored twice, Lee Bell and Craig Harris.
We would finish the month with a straight forward 2-0 home win over Portadown as Craig Harris and Andy Montgomery both found the net in the first half at Windsor Park.
And now we have moved back into top spot and sitting two points clear of last seasons champions Cliftonville as our remarkable start continues as we're continuing to score goals and not concede that many either and that's a welcome change.
SBR
Shedender
It's been a great opening few months to the league season and if we could dispose of Cliftonville who remain 'neck in neck' with us then it would be even better even though we've two points ahead of them. Four Premiership games are played this month as well as the Co. Antrim Shield final against Championship 1 side Ards.
The penultimate month of the calendar year began with a trip to Fermanagh to face Ballinamallard but we returned home with a hard fought 2-1 victory as both of our goals arrived in the space of five first half minutes from Andy Montgomery and Gavin Brannigan both scored.
Just four days later and the side made the journey to Ballymena and recorded a straight forward three nil victory as a Dean McLaughlin double had us two goals up inside the opening seven minutes, Craig Harris made it three in first half stoppage time.
It was then time for the Co. Antrim Shield final as we took on Championship 1 side Ards and won the final 4-1 but Ards annoyingly played very well. Matthew Clarke, Mervyn McKinney, an own goal and Andy Montgomery all scored as I was able to mark off another trophy in my managerial career.
We returned to league action and faced our fierce rivals Glentoran at Windsor Park as we beat them 4-1 much to the fans' delight as star striker Andy Montgomery scored twice in the first half, Mervyn McKinney also netted in the first half while the other goal was an own goal through Michael Edgar.
November would come to end as we would defeat Coleraine two nil at home, central defender Conor McCullough broke the deadlock after eleven minutes before winger Lee Bell sealed the points with only ten minutes left.
A perfect month for the club meant the gap at the top has now risen to ten points as now we are hopefully 'running away with it' but it's still early days as their is still around twenty/twenty one league games remaining so anything can change, but lets just enjoy me having a ten point lead at the summit at the moment.
SBR