A Chris goodbye

Cliftonville supporters are invited to join us in saying farewell to Chris Curran when our former skipper dons the boots one last time later this month.

The 33-year-old, who officially brought the curtain down on his career by captaining the Reds to an historic Clearer Water Irish Cup Final victory over Linfield at the end of last season, will feature in the Solitude friendly with Southport on Saturday, July 27.

Inducted to the John McCredy McAlery Hall of Fame in May, Curran joined Cliftonville from Ballinamallard United in the summer of 2013 and played an integral role in Tommy Breslin’s side retaining the Premiership title a year later.

With four League Cup crowns, two County Antrim Shields and that long-awaited Irish Cup triumph also under his belt, the Cavan man – who also starred in the Mallards’ Championship-winning heroics of 2012 – bowed out with a clean sweep of senior domestic honours to his name following a decade that saw him score 38 goals and provide 61 assists in 440 appearances for Ireland’s Oldest Football Club.

The forthcoming encounter with Southport, which comes sandwiched between the first and second legs of our UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie with either FK Auda or B36, provides team-mates, Club officials and fans alike with another opportunity to say thanks and farewell to Chris for the legendary service and countless memorable moments he provided during an unforgettable Solitude sojourn.