Remembering Michael Newberry

Cliftonville Football Club offers sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to yesterday’s tributes in memory of Michael Newberry.

As well as complimenting our players for producing such a courageous performance in their first fixture since the tragic loss of their team-mate, we also extend gratitude to all at Banbridge Rangers for their understanding and cooperation during what has been a very distressing week for all involved at Solitude.

Manager Jim Magilton lauded the “wonderful” Brian Campbell for the poignant adornment of a number 5 to the front of our team’s jerseys – an acknowledgement that will remain in place for the rest of the season – and for the placement of Michael’s shirt in the home dressing room before the game.

With supporters having made continued additions to the scarves, shirts, candles, flowers and notes that have accrued at the turnstiles in recent days, we were heartened to see so many in their seats in good time to play a full role in our pre-match memorial ceremony.

Having dispensed with our traditional walkout music Dearg Doom in favour of Going Home – the anthem utilised by Michael’s beloved Newcastle United at St James’ Park – the teams, sporting black armbands, emerged with captains Rory Hale and Peter Smyth carrying wreaths which were placed alongside Michael’s matchworn home and away jerseys in the middle of the pitch.

An emotional minute’s applause saw Cliftonville’s starting line-up and substitutes joined by fellow members of the first-team squad in honouring their much-missed team-mate and friend before a blast of referee Michael McKenna’s whistle signalled that it was time for the Reds’ defence of the Irish Cup to begin.

An understandably subdued home support chanted a few choruses of ‘There’s only one Michael Newberry’ as the game got under way and, on a day when the action on the pitch was in many ways secondary to the sheer sense of occasion, we thank everyone involved with both Clubs for their valued input.

Our thoughts very much remain with Michael’s family and wide circle of friends who can rest assured that, while Newbs was only with us for a short time, the significance of the impact he had on team-mates and supporters alike will not be forgotten.

We know that Newcastle United remained his one true footballing love and that he enjoyed great times across the city with Linfield, who paid their own pre-match tributes ahead of their encounter with Wellington Rec at Windsor Park, but the old adage of ‘Once a Red, always a Red’ will certainly ring true of a player we were proud to welcome into the Cliftonville family this season and forevermore.

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.