Crowd pleasers

Cliftonville supporters are no strangers to contributing to attendance records – and the Red Army were out in force once again over the weekend.

Be it Irish Cup or League Cup showdowns, our fans have been front and centre of various milestones being met under the Irish Football Association and NI Football League umbrellas in recent years, with yesterday’s VBet Women’s League Cup decider proving yet another landmark occasion, with 1189 spectators turning out for Cliftonville Ladies’ incredible comeback against Glentoran Women.

Trailing 2-0 at the break after Emily Wilson had bagged a brace for the east Belfast side, the Reds roared back courtesy of a Caitlin McGuinness double before Marissa Callaghan’s late header sparked scenes of celebrations which were further ramped up when Carla Devine stroked home a security goal in injury-time.

Just over three months after Cliftonville’s men’s team defeated the Glens in the BetMcLean Cup Final in front of the biggest crowd in NIFL history, the largest attendance at a women’s match under NIFL’s watch saw the Reds claim the trophy for the third year in a row, with the 1189 fans at Seaview surpassing the previous best tally of 1102 set in last year’s Final – another record the Red Army helped create and then break.

Further congratulations are extended to everyone involved with our Ladies team for delivering yet more silverware to an already impressive roll of honour, with huge thanks to every supporter who was there to play their part in history being made on and off the pitch.