Title defect

Cliftonville folklore is littered with tales of seasons that promised so much and delivered so little – but it’s hard not to ponder what might have been in 1983/84.

Having been mid-table fodder at best in the few years previous, Ronnie McQuillan’s side produced an unlikely title challenge that ultimately petered out thanks to an untimely loss of form just when things were promising to get interesting.

Encouraged by a bright pre-season and impressive Gold Cup campaign, Reds supporters were brought back down to Earth somewhat courtesy of some poor showings in the Ulster Cup – but, after beginning the Irish League term with a six-game unbeaten run, fans dared to let themselves dream again.

Continuing a retrospective series examining noteworthy campaigns in the Club’s history, cliftonvillefc.net today reflects on the facts and figures behind a season that saw the Reds entertain, frustrate and infuriate in equal measure.

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Pre-Season
P6 W5 D1 L0 F15 A4

Cliftonville’s warm-up for the campaign ahead consisted of six friendlies, including a Pioneer Cup clash with Bohemians at Dalymount Park, where the visitors claimed the trophy thanks to a 3-1 win on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

That would prove to be the Reds’ penultimate friendly, with a 3-0 victory over Dundalk completing an unbeaten schedule that also saw contests with Dunmurry Red (2-0), Finn Harps (3-0), Brantwood (2-0) and Red Star Carrick (3-2).

Gold Cup
P7 W4 D2 L1 F17 A8

The season’s curtain-raising competition, the Gold Cup, saw Cliftonville maintain that encouraging run of form with just one loss recorded from their seven outings.

After kicking off with draws against Distillery (2-2) and Coleraine (0-0), the Reds registered their first win when Crusaders were beaten 3-0 at Seaview on August 26.

A 5-1 victory at home to Larne would follow and, though eventual Cup winners Linfield would bank a 4-2 win when the sides met at Windsor Park, the Reds responded with a 2-0 defeat of Carrick Rangers and 3-1 success over Ballymena United.

Ulster Cup
P7 W2 D0 L5 F10 A11

Attentions swiftly turned to the Ulster Cup but, just seven days after that win against Ballymena, Cliftonville commenced a run of three losses courtesy of a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Ards at Castlereagh Park on September 17.

Coleraine and Newry Town would inflict further defeats on the Reds, who recovered by seeing off Larne 3-1 only to see Bangor triumph 2-0 at Solitude the following week.

A convincing 4-0 success over Glenavon offered encouragement, but Cliftonville’s Ulster Cup campaign petered out with a 2-1 home loss to Portadown.

Irish League
P26 W12 D7 L7 F28 A23 Pts31

With 20 competitive fixtures already under their belts, the Reds began their Irish League schedule with a 3-1 win against Newry Town on November 5 – when defender Eamonn Largey netted for the third consecutive game.

Brendan Tully struck the only goal of the contest and was also sent off when Linfield were overcome the following week and, after draws with Ards (1-0) and Ballymena United (0-0), the team’s fine start continued with a 1-0 success at home to Carrick Rangers.

Indeed, it would not be until Christmas Eve that Cliftonville suffered defeat; Glentoran inflicting a first League loss in eight outings.

Two days later, a 0-0 draw at Glenavon continued a festive programme that included Brian McKiernan claiming the only goal of a New Year’s Eve contest with Bangor ahead of Davy McAlinden netting twice in a 2-2 draw with Coleraine in the Reds’ first fixture of 1984.

Though a shock 3-0 home loss to Larne would follow, the team hit back by seeing off Crusaders (4-1) and Newry (3-2) on the road.

February defeats to Linfield and the Crues slowed the momentum of their title challenge and, following a run of four League games without a goal, strikes from McKiernan and McAlinden earned full points against Carrick Rangers on St Patrick’s Day.

By this stage of the season, however, Cliftonville were struggling for any kind of consistency, although they did rally to string together a four match winning streak against Distillery (1-0), Glentoran (2-1), Glenavon (2-0) and Bangor (2-1) before ending their season with a goalless draw at home to Coleraine and 2-0 reverse at the hands of Larne on April 28.

Irish Cup
P4 W3 D0 L1 F5 A2

A solitary McKiernan goal earned victory over Omagh Town before Cliftonville defeated Ards by the same scoreline in the next round.

Post Office Social Club (yes, really) were overcome at the Quarter Final stage thanks to strikes from Tully and McAlinden, but the Reds’ hopes of ending their five-year wait for Irish Cup glory was ended at the Semi Final stage by eventual trophy-winners Ballymena United.

County Antrim Shield
P3 W1 D1 L1 F5 A5

By the time the County Antrim Shield commenced in late March, Cliftonville were suffering from something of a late-season wobble and needed penalties to see off Carrick Rangers Reserves in the First Round.

Five days after exiting the Irish Cup at the Semi Final stage, the Reds booked their place in the last four of the Shield by beating Distillery 2-1 at Solitude – but, again, that would be as far as they would get, with Crusaders inflicting a 3-2 defeat at Seaview.

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In Review
Cliftonville finished third in the 14-team Irish League table, 14 points behind Champions Linfield and nine off runners-up Glentoran.

Walter Mills played in all 47 of the Reds’ games and, despite being sent off in the Shield defeat by Crusaders, was the team’s leading appearance-maker, one ahead of goalkeeper Bobby Carlisle, with Stephen Brown (41) rounding off the top three.

Davy McAlinden led the goalcharts with 11 strikes, just ahead of Bobby Elliman and Brian McKiernan, who both bagged 10.

Bobby Carlisle was named Ulster Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Cliftonville player to take the accolade since Kevin McGarry landed the inaugural award in 1951.