Stat’s Derby delight

Not only did yesterday’s North Belfast Derby send Cliftonville supporters home in high spirits, it also led the Club’s Heritage Development Officer, Paul Treanor, to update the archives.

While the 200th League meeting between the Reds and Crusaders wasn’t strictly the League’s 200th North Belfast Derby (with Oldpark, Brantwood and Ligoniel, among others, having contributed to a much greater tally) it was the first time Cliftonville have put five League goals past the Crues since the sides’ very first League meeting way back on December 26, 1949.

Furthermore, the 75th win of Jim Magilton’s tenure was also the Reds’ 275th Premiership home triumph, while Josh Kelly becoming the latest entrant to the Reds’ goalscorers list also wrapped up the 20th 5-2 victory in Cliftonville history – and, remarkably, the third this season following on from similar successes against Strabane Athletic and Glenavon.

North Belfast Derby stats
275: Cliftonville have now won 275 Premiership home games
200: Yesterday’s fixture was the Reds’ 200th League meeting with Crusaders
75: Cliftonville have won 75 matches since Jim Magilton’s appointment
20: Amount of 5-2 victories in Club history
5: The last time the Reds scored five League goals against Crusaders was in the sides’ first ever League meeting