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Michael ‘a credit to his family’

Manager Jim Magilton has paid tribute to the “remarkable” Michael Newberry as Cliftonville FC and the wider football family mourn his devastating loss.

Born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Michael began his career with Newcastle United and won the Club’s prestigious ‘Wor Jackie’ award for his Academy exploits in 2016 before embarking upon a two-year spell with Icelandic side Vikingur Olafsvik.

A former Northern Ireland Under-21 international, Michael spent three-and-a-half years with Linfield prior to joining the Reds this summer, making his debut in the Charity Shield match with Larne and featuring in our UEFA Conference League encounters with Auda.

A regular in the line-up throughout the season, Michael played all 90 minutes of Thursday’s North Belfast Derby with Crusaders, just a few days before he sadly passed away.

While sending our thoughts and sympathies to his family, many friends and the team-mates he played alongside during his career, we also extend thanks to everyone who has made contact to offer their own sympathies and tributes at this very distressing time, and echo the sentiments expressed by Jim Magilton below.


We remember Michael Newberry with heavy hearts.

I first came to know Michael when he burst on to the scene as a talented young player at Newcastle United – his boyhood Club and greatest love. With his unmistakable red hair and boundless passion for the game, he quickly stood out, not just for his skill, but for his enthusiasm, determination and unwavering dedication.

Although his dream of playing for Newcastle didn’t materialise, it never deterred him from forging his own path in football. I’ve followed Michael’s journey throughout his career and, when the opportunity arose to bring him to Cliftonville, I didn’t hesitate. He brought the same passion and determination to every training session and match. Winning mattered deeply to him, but so did the love for the game and the bonds he formed with team-mates.

Michael was a remarkable young man, a credit to his family, his team-mates and the entire football community. His loss is felt not only in Northern Ireland but across every Club he represented. He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rest in peace, Michael. You’ll always be remembered.
Jim Magilton


Adding his own tribute, Cliftonville Chairman Kieran Harding said: “It goes without saying that everyone at the Club is deeply saddened by the news of Michael’s death and, as well as thinking about our own players and the terrible grief they are enduring right now, we are also very mindful of the wider Newberry family circle and what they will be going through.

“Our supporters’ emotional response to this devastating news underlines how positive an impact Michael had during his time with the Club. Despite only joining us in May, he quickly established himself as both a popular member of the squad and a key player in the team. There wasn’t a game in which he didn’t give 100% effort and I think our fans appreciated the approach he took to every match.

“What many outside of the dressing room will not necessarily know is that Michael was very much regarded as a big brother to so many of our younger players. For everything he did away from the pitch, he was a friend and a guide to them, and I know they will be feeling a particular sense of loss at the minute. We are committed to supporting all of our players and helping them find some much-needed strength during this very difficult period.

“On behalf of the Football Club, I place on record our thanks to those from all over the world who have got in touch to express their sympathies, while we at Cliftonville offer our own condolences to Linfield FC, where Michael was also a highly popular player.

“To Michael’s family and friends, both here as well as in his beloved hometown of Newcastle and further afield, we offer our deepest sympathies but also offer thanks for the time we were privileged to have known him, worked with him and called him a friend.”