My second season at Linfield yielded a run in Europe (Conference League Knock Out Play Off), defeat in the quarter finals of the County Antrim Shield and NIFL League Cup and a narrow loss in the semi-final of the SPFL Trust Trophy alongside an Irish Cup win! Oh, and a second consecutive NIFL Premiership title.

With serious investment being made to training and youth facilities, I had invested all the prize money wisely. I was conscious of not destroying my own experience by going out and splashing my £8.7m bank balance on extravagant transfers on exorbitant wages. I even resisted the urge to bring in an ageing Willian on a free transfer…

My Third Season at Linfield was worthy of its own Netflix Special - or at the very least a 3-part feature on BBC iPlayer. Highs, Lows and a dramatic finale? Read on to indulge yourself in the greatest plot twist since [REDACTED DUE TO MAJOR FILM AND/OR TV SPOILER].

SUMMER 2025

Getting business done early is always a positive sign from a club. By 1st July 2025 I had already secured six new signings.

Shaun Mavididi was the first - a season long loan from Newcastle. He’d spent the previous year on loan at Larne (what’s your death row meal?) and impressed against me so I made the move. Sadly it didn’t last long as Newcastle recalled him in January for being played out of his agreed position.

NI U21 internationals Aaron Donnelly and Jamie McDonnell were both free agent signings after leaving Nottingham Forest. Donnelly had previously been in the Dungannon academy while McDonnell was previously in the youth set up at Big Two rivals Glentoran.

George Abbott and Rio Kyerematen were brought in on their release from Tottenham. Abbott with a view to being a starter at BWM while Rio adds depth to the midfield. Paddy Kelly returned to the club after his release by West Ham, having previously spent half of the first season on loan with us. Leo Cardoso was a free signing from Chelsea - an exciting attacking midfielder who can also play on both wings.

We bolstered the defensive ranks with the signings of Tivonge Rushesha and Harry Lynch. Rushesha is predominantly a right back but can also play centrally and in midfield while Lynch has plenty of potential as a versatile player who can play all the way across the defensive line.

JANUARY 2026

Just one signing in January and it was a reactive signing. First choice right back Dan Finlayson suffered a season ending leg break in November and we moved to bring in Nathan Ferguson who had somehow remained a free agent since his release by Crystal Palace in the summer.

On deadline day we lost Sean McAllister to Sunderland in a £500k deal. 14 goals and 13 assists in 40 league games in his season and a half since signing with us was a big risk to lose however the fee was far too high to turn down.

We start this season’s review with the domestic cup competitions. For the first time in this save, we won the County Antrim Shield. A first round victory over third tier Distillery led us to a fixture against fellow Premiership side Carrick. We met Larne in the semi-final and managed a 3-2 win despite going a goal down after 2 minutes. A straight forward 2-0 win in the final over Cliftonville secured the big plate.

The NIFL League Cup Final was next with high scoring wins over Ballinamallard, Warrenpoint and Annagh Utd before putting Cliftonville aside in the semi-final. Sadly Craig Levein’s Glentoran (yes!!) managed to win a very cagey final with their 14th minute goal the difference.

We were unable to retain the Irish Cup with Cliftonville getting their retribution for the Co. Antrim Shield. It all seemed to be going so wrong when Cliftonville scored a first half goal and doubled their lead soon after half time. Aron Solvi Robertsson’s cameo from the bench brought two late goals to take the game to extra time. It was Cliftonville who prospered on penalties though as Jamie McDonnell’s missed spot kick gave them the win.

We became the first Irish side in history to win the SPFL Trust Trophy. Having beaten Larne in the first round we then set Hibs Reserves aside before a 2-0 victory over Welsh team Newtown. An emphatic 5-0 victory over Ross County in the semi final set up a tie against Partick Thistle int he final. We twice fought back from a goal down before midfielder Alfie Lewis scored the 73rd minute winner.

It was hard to think of how we could realistically surpass last season’s European heroics… and yet we did!

Beating Zalgiris, Dinamo Minsk and TNS in the qualifying rounds we then registered 13 points in the group stage - a tally that was enough to see us qualify directly from the group to the Round of 16.

After the first leg in Tel-Aviv we looked like we were dead and buried - Leo Cardoso’s brace added to Robertsson’s first half goal ensured passage through to the Quarter Final!

Kobenhavn would be a step too far as they won the tie 5-1 on aggregate but that couldn’t dampen our spirits as we performed incredibly above expectations.

Another incredible league campaign for Linfield to secure a third consecutive title. Not only that but we broke our own records of games won and points secured, losing just 4 times over the course of the season.

THE CRUCIAL NUMBERS

Joel Cooper was our top scorer on 29 goals with young Icelandic prospect Aron Solvi Robertsson behind on 24 and Leo Cardoso third on 23.

Aodhan Doherty was the main creator with 26 assists, ahead of Joel Cooper on 22 and Alfie Lewis on 19.

Teddy Sharman-Lowe was once again our undisputed number 1 playing 66 games and keeping 23 clean sheets, conceding 68 goals. Aaron Maguire was limited to the cup appearances and played 7 times, conceding 9 and keeping just 2 clean sheets.

Aodhan Dohery’s 26 assists and 15 goals had him as our highest rated player on 7.66. Joel Cooper was next on 7.39 and Alfie Lewis on 7.35.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Ever keen to improve the facilities at the clubs, I continued to urge them to invest in training and youth. Most were accepted however the board refused to improve the youth coaching funding - after some discussion they made me agree to give significant playing time to two young players…. but for some reason the game never specified which players that was?!

As the season neared its end, I noticed the above in the promises tab and knew the end was nigh. Despite delivering three league titles, an Irish Cup, County Antrim Shield, SPFL Trust Trophy, two European runs and well over £15million I was SACKED!

So, what’s next? Time to sit back and review what jobs are out there… My short love affair with Linfield is well and truly over. FTB.