Supporting act

Huge thanks are extended to the Red Army for their magnificent backing during last night’s UEFA Conference League clash with St Joseph’s.

Though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, our supporters deserve immense praise for the colour and noise they provided over the course of an evening in which our players gave it everything they had in very challenging circumstances.

Just as the team emerged with credit for their efforts in a game they had dominated before being harshly reduced to 10 men, so too do our fans deserve acknowledgement for their contribution on the night.

Having given the players a raucous reception before kick-off, our fans could easily have been rocked by the visitors’ early opening goal but instead resolved to raise the volume even further in the hope of inspiring the team into a positive response – and were rewarded when Micheal Glynn levelled matters.

Roared on as chance after chance was created, the Reds found themselves up against it when Odhran Casey was controversially issued with a second yellow card despite his ball-winning challenge on Alvaro Rey being a clean one but, again, our supporters – who had snapped up every ticket for not just the McAlery Stand and Main Stand Lower but the Bowling Green End also – continued to offer impassioned encouragement from the sidelines and exploded into a frenzy of joy when Joe Gormley acrobatically put us in front.

After St Joseph’s brought the aggregate score to 4-4 and as our team’s numerical disadvantage began taking an evident toll on the pitch, the Red Army stuck behind the team and almost savoured the finish we all wanted when the width of the post denied us what would have been a well-earned victory against the odds.

Though the visitors pulled in front early in extra-time and made use of their extra man to maintain a greater control of possession, fans right around the ground continued to back, support and encourage the players before giving them a well-earned standing ovation at the finish in recognition of their considerable efforts and on the understanding that they had not necessarily emerged with what they deserved from the contest.

As frustrating as specific developments within the game had been to endure, last night the Red Army were the embodiment of unwavering support and all at Cliftonville Football Club are truly appreciative of your backing.