Picture the scene

Football supporters are routinely fascinated with rare imagery from their Club’s past – and Cliftonville’s Heritage Development Officer, Paul Treanor, is no different.

Having been alerted to a picture of Solitude in a recent tweet by @theleaguemag, Paul made contact with Vince – the man behind the account and editor of readtheleague.com – who revealed that the shot was published in The Athletic News and Cyclists Journal on February 14, 1910.

The picture carries particular significance because it relates to the last full international game to be hosted at Solitude.

On February 10, 1910, Ireland drew 1-1 with England, and Frank Thompson – the only Reds player in the home squad – scored the Irish goal.

A League and Irish Cup winner with Cliftonville, Thompson also went on to lift the FA Cup with Bradford City before finishing his playing days at Clyde, whom he later managed ahead of stints in charge of Ayr United and Glentoran.

The photograph itself is, meanwhile, a rare glimpse of Solitude in the early 20th century, with Paul confirming that the covered terracing on the Waterworks side of the ground was later extended to around three times the size of the area pictured, which lasted until – in his own words – “it basically fell down” around 1970.

As for the two individuals whose images are inset… well, it’s believed both are Irish Football Association officials who never actually had any connection with Cliftonville! A mystery for another day perhaps.