Hall of Fame: Mike Adair

Continuing a weekly series toasting some of the most celebrated names in Cliftonville history, cliftonvillefc.net today delves into the Club’s Hall of Fame to salute Michael Adair.

Inducted to the John McCredy McAlery Hall of Fame in May 2019, Adair scored 22 goals in 89 appearances over three seasons at Solitude.

Signed from Amateur League side Gallahers Rec, ‘Big Suzie’ was a powerful winger who featured in 34 of the Reds’ 47 fixtures across all competitions in the iconic 1978/79 campaign, during which he found the net eight times – including a memorable strike in the Irish Cup Final victory over Portadown.

Part of the first Cliftonville side to play in Europe when French giants FC Nantes Atlantique visited for a Cup Winners’ Cup clash a few months after that famous Windsor Park defeat of the Ports, Mike may only have been at the Club for a relatively short spell – indeed, of the 79ers, only Tony Bell made fewer overall appearances – but his contribution has never been forgotten, his place in our folklore forever assured.