Linfield F.C. - History

History

Founded in March 1886 in Sandy Row in south Belfast by workers at the Ulster Spinning Company's Linfield Mill, the team was originally known as the Linfield Athletic Club and played on ground at the back of the mill known as the Meadow.

Linfield moved to Ulsterville Avenue in 1889. After the purchase of a piece of land known as the 'bog meadows' just off lower Windsor Avenue in 1904, the club settled in what has become the permanent home of Linfield FC., Windsor Park, a ground that has hosted international matches since its opening. The first game at Windsor was played against Glentoran, the other half of Belfast's "Big Two," on September 2, 1905 – though Belfast Celtic were the club's main rivals at the time.

Roy Coyle who managed Linfield from 1975 to 1990 has been their most successful manager to date having won 31 trophies during his time at Windsor Park. He is closely followed by current Linfield manager David Jeffrey who has won 30 trophies since his appointment in 1997.

Linfield's former captain Noel Bailie achieved his 1000th appearance for the club when they played Crusaders F.C. in a drawn match. Shortly afterwards, on 27 April 2010, Linfield took their 49th league title after a 1–0 win against Cliftonville at Windsor Park in the Carling Premiership. Since Noel Bailie's retirement from football in May 2011 at the age of 40, Linfield have since retired the number 11 shirt. Linfield secured their 50th league title on 26 April 2011 following a 4–0 win against Lisburn Distillery. Their trophy haul makes Linfield the most successful team in Irish football.