Michael played with pride: Magilton

Jim Magilton has revealed that he asked his players to summon up the kind of matchday spirit for which Michael Newberry was renowned ahead of yesterday’s meeting with Banbridge Rangers.

The Clearer Water Irish Cup fifth round tie was Cliftonville’s first fixture since the tragic loss of their team-mate and, while acknowledging that it was tough to ask anyone to go out and play a game of football in such distressing circumstances, Magilton says that Newberry’s sheer passion for the game played a significant role in helping them return to action.

“I’ve known Michael since he was 15 and he went through all the Northern Ireland underage teams and he never, ever lost his enthusiasm and his desire and passion to play,” said the Reds boss.

“He loved to train, he loved the games and he loved being amongst footballers. He loved the dressing room, so today was about instilling that sort of passion into the players. Obviously the thought of Michael was still very much in their mind and we wanted them to go and play with pride.

“We want to show the Newberry family how much Michael was loved and cherished in the short time he was here, and the mark he’s left on our dressing room.

“I don’t think you ever get over it, but what you do is cherish his memory and you go out and play, do your very best and play your hearts out like he did.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if it had been Barcelona here today because Michael would have played it exactly the same way. He would have played Banbridge Rangers as if it was his last game and that’s the way he did everything. He had that that passion, vigour and enthusiasm to actually play the game. Sometimes you get caught up in the grind and people take being a footballer for granted. He never, ever did. He came in and he trained like that and he played like that, and he wanted to be around footballers.

“All we could do is try and honour that and play with the pride he would have played with.”

Supporters are notified that an online fundraising page has been created to help Michael’s family cover funeral costs and anyone who would like to make a donation can do so here.