Golden century

Not only did the Cliftonville team of 1932/33 claim rare Gold Cup glory, they also set a goalscoring record that lasted until as recently as the Tommy Breslin era.

Hugh McAteer, who had been the team’s Head Trainer since the late 19th century, reverted to a background role as new leader George Ferrett oversaw the Gold Cup’s return to Solitude for the first time in a decade – and, indeed, the last time until the infamous success of 1980.

The team was blessed with an abundance of attacking talent that was reflected in the 101 goals they scored across all competitions with a prolificy that remained intact until Breslin’s charges blasted past the century of strikes landmark some 80 years later.

Continuing a retrospective series examining noteworthy campaigns in the Club’s history, cliftonvillefc.net today reflects on the facts and figures behind a term that saw the Reds entertain their fans on a weekly basis despite struggling in the lower reaches of the League table.

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Irish League
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With Ferrett now in sole charge of the team, Cliftonville’s bright new era began in ominous fashion courtesy of a 4-0 defeat to Glentoran at The Oval on August 20, 1932.

A 2-2 draw with Coleraine four days later offered some semblance of encouragement only for a run of losses to Glenavon (1-4), Ards (3-4) and Larne (2-3) to leave the Reds floundering until their first League win of the season was secured when Linfield were overcome 4-2 at Solitude.

A run of five consecutive defeats would follow, with a 5-5 draw with Newry Town on November 5 not only stopping the rot but also appearing to inspire an upturn in form that continued with a 6-1 thumping of Ballymena United and 5-2 triumph over the Glens – with Hammie Hewitt claiming a hat-trick in all three games.

Incosistency in the League would, however, trouble Cliftonville all season long and, while there were highlights such as a 4-2 win against Larne and 5-4 success against Portadown on New Year’s Eve – when Sid Over registered a a treble – supporters also had to stomach a 4-0 Christmas Eve loss to Linfield and a 3-1 reverse at Bangor en route to the programme ending with draws away to both Newry (3-3) and Ballymena (1-1).

That January 28 stalemate with Newry would prove crucial in keeping Ferrett’s team off the bottom of the table, with Cliftonville concluding the season 13th out of 14 teams – two points ahead of Newry but some 25 behind Champions Belfast Celtic.

Gold Cup
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The Gold Cup commenced amid that early run of League defeats, with Cliftonville arresting their slide somewhat when they drew 2-2 with Portadown on September 7.

They would win the replay 3-2 five days later to set up a Quarter Final encounter with Coleraine, who were beaten 4-3, before a 4-2 victory over Glentoran in the Semi Final at Celtic Park saw the Reds earn a return to the same venue to face Linfield in the decider on December 14, when goals from McCaw and Mitchell sealed a 2-1 win and celebrations with the trophy for the first time since 1923.

Irish Cup
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Just as the Irish League schedule was winding down, the Irish Cup began with Cliftonville overcoming Ballymena 4-2 on January 14.

A Quarter Final victory over Belfast Celtic (1-0) the following month saw the Reds progress to the last four, where their interest was ended by a 2-0 loss to Distillery.

County Antrim Shield
P2 W1 D0 L1 F3 A3

On January 25, Cliftonville – who had lost 3-1 at home to Belfast Celtic three days earlier – overcame the Hoops’ reserve side 2-1 courtesy of two own goals to make a winning start to their County Antrim Shield exploits.

That would, however, prove to be the Reds’ last success in the competition, with Glentoran II inflicting a 2-1 defeat at The Oval in the February 20 Quarter-Final.

City Cup
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Two days on from that Shield exit, a 7-0 hammering by Ballymena was Cliftonville’s introduction to City Cup action.

Wins over Ards (2-1) and Newry (3-0) lifted spirits somewhat ahead of defeats to Linfield (3-5) and Derry City (3-4), with the high-scoring entertainment continuing when Glenavon were beaten 4-3 on March 18.

Larne, Bangor, Belfast Celtic and Glentoran would record victories over the Reds in the weeks that followed ahead of a 0-0 draw with Distillery (Cliftonville’s only goalless outing of the entire campaign) preceding a 2-1 loss at Coleraine before the programme was completed with Hewitt bagging his fourth hat-trick of the term in a 3-0 triumph over Portadown on April 29.

Charity Cup
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A 6-3 loss to Linfield at Solitude on April 5 was the start and finish of the Reds’ Charity Cup commitments.

Friendlies
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Though the majority of Cup action took place following the conclusion of the League campaign, Cliftonville still found time to slot two high-profile friendlies in, beginning with a 7-3 loss at the hands of Charlton Athletic at The Valley on March 20 before wrapping the season up when newly-crowned English Champions Arsenal won 4-0 at Solitude.

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In Review
Not only was this the first season in which Cliftonville broke the 100-goal barrier, they also conceded 135, meaning that their total of 50 fixtures yielded an average of 4.72 goals per game.

James Millar made more appearances than any other player, featuring in 45 of the Reds’ matches, with Wilfred Hare and goalkeeper Alfie Gardiner his nearest challengers on 39.

Norman McCaw (who would later serve as the Club’s Chairman) led the way in terms of finding the net, with 22 strikes in 35 outings, although Hammie Hewitt’s achievement of scoring four hat-tricks means he emerged with an impressive return of 15 goals in just nine games.

Three of the players from the 1932/33 term still sit as Cliftonville’s fourth, fifth and sixth leading scorers of all time, with Sid Over registering a total of 127 goals ahead of team-mates Norman McCaw (115) and James Millar (110).