Well done to Big Davy Jeffrey as he celebrates 15 years at the helm of Linfield FC.
A few trophies won and a few more no doubt to follow, although can’t see him reaching the milestone of the legendary Ronnie McFall.
I’m sure ALL followers of Irish League Football will be busy sending their congratulations to the Big Man. (notacatschanceinhellofthatmobfromtheeastwishinghimwellsmiley)
Hasn’t been a great season so far. Complacency has been an enemy.
17 points dropped, 9 of them to the Forces of Evil, who, even with those points, are ironically a further 17 points behind the Champions.
I hear its only a matter of time before the locals are on to Fonacab for another taxi from the Oval. Hope not though.
However, and surprisingly, we are top by 5 points, which is good for us but bad for the league. Really hoping we have some serious competition in the latter stages.
Excellent move by Gary Hamilton signing a few of our players on loan. To any Glenavon supporters, you have signed the best Centre half in the league, (also the most unluckiest I have ever seen, with injuries) Good luck Kris Lindsay and will see you back in the Famous Blue shirt next season.
Cliftonville have move quickly to ban a few of their supporters for violence and sectarianism. Kudos to their Board for acting so decisively and on passing all information to the Police for prosecutions.
Hopefully our own Board will now act on that small section of supporters who disgrace our own club, the 2 games a season louts.
And Good luck to Glenn Ferguson as he starts his Managerial Career. Was only a matter of time before he took over a Premiership club although it would have been nice for either him or Ballymena to inform his paymasters at Distillery first.
Compensation claim pending I imagine
Belated Happy New Year to one and all
Earl
Earls Back Page of the Belfast Tele
posted on 5/1/12
Not too many reading the tele nowadays
More life in Roselawn
posted on 5/1/12
Good Irish League article big man, refreshing to see on here.
Ain't gonna get a congrats out of me for Davy. I acknowledge that it is an achievement to be in the helm for such a long time at one club, especially at a Big Two club. McBitter's 25 years and Davy's 15 years will not be surpassed in the modern Irish League era so it is quite a feat. As a manager, in my honest opinion the big lad is limited. He is a good motivator and seems to consistantly be able to get the best out of players, especially in periods of transition, but tactically he hasn't a notion. Players from all backgrounds that come to the club are made blissfully aware what it takes to play for Linfield and he must take a lot of credit for that. It's a great quality, you have to hold your hands up and admire that.
During his tenure only the Glens (3 times), Portadown and Cliftonville have won the League but nobody has been able build on that and mount sustainable periods of dominance. There are many reasons for that, but the resources the other clubs have available must surely be up there as one of the main one's. The Glens would steal the eye out of your head just to try and compete, and look where it got us, we're in tatters. It's 11 v 11 and trophies are trophies at the end of the day, but I just couldn't see DJ walk into Dungannon Swifts tomorrow and turn them into perennial title challengers.
I think Fonacab's finest automobile will probably be called for Scotty, should Newington YC knock us out of the Irish Cup. In many ways, as passionate about his club as DJ, but he's badly exposed. Scotty's heart is in the right place, all the supporters can identify with him but you can't undertake the job at The Oval without a proven track record and managerial experience. It is without doubt the hardest job in the country, no disrespect to the other clubs. Replacing one of the most seasoned, knowledgable and decorated managers in IL history (Coyle) to managerial novices Millar, McDonald and now Young was lunacy. We might as well have got a supporter off the terraces to manage us. The various boards over the years have a part to play too, in the way things have been run at all levels.
Same thing happens at Glenavon. Hammy loves his club, but has as much experience at management as any random Glenavon fan. His goals will obviously keep them up which is the priority for their board this season. Has been about the game long enough to gain a few decent contacts, so should be able to attract the odd good player to the club. He's a good lad n' all, but managment is more than picking a team to win a game. Wish him well, but a hell of a proposition for him. Could be overwhelming ??
Good to see The Reds move swiftly on that matter, shows they mean business in local football. They along with Crusaders are the most progressive clubs at the moment, neither will win the League this season but two clubs that have an exciting future ahead. Envious of both on and off the pitch. We're finished as a major force. Mid-table mediocraty for quite some years beckons for us.
Spike has as big a task as Hammy. Ballymena along with Coleraine, Glenavon and the Gyppo's are big provincial clubs with potential. Spike's advantage is he is well respected throughout the league amongst the players and his goalscoring feats, medals, experience and the fact he could play a bit at 40 should inspire his current squad and undoubetdly attract a bit more quality. If he proves he can win a few major honours he will be DJ's successor.
posted on 5/1/12
At last. An articulate article on Irish League football and an excellent response.
From a hatchetmans perspective its been a desperately frustrating season capable of beating anyone or being hammered by others. Our discipline is poor and we should be closer to the top two.
But as the peoples club says the crues are building in the right direction and can see us putting up a serious challenge in the next 3/4 seasons.
The league needs freshening and maybe ourselves or our bitter rivals up the waterworks might hold the key to a new dawn.
posted on 6/1/12
Nice to know that a few others are still interested in our little League
Excellent responses and the managerial merry-go-round will provide some much needed entertainment over the next few months
On a Crusaders aspect Ronan, I'm sure that your delighted Chris Morrow has signed a new Contract meaning he will be serving his suspensions next season at Seaview rather than the Oval