[FM24] Linfield FC 2025/26: A Bolt From The Blues

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.

[FM24] Linfield FC 2024/25: Playing The Long Game

At the end of last season, my biggest challenges were to look at how I replace my first choice goalkeeper, top goalscorer and one of my most consistent midfielders as all three of Chris Johns, Chris McKee and Kyle McClean made clear their intentions to consider their options at the end of their contract. As it turns out, all three ended up staying for my second season - Chris Johns (2 years) and Kyle McClean (1 year) both agreeing to new deals while Chris McKee failed to agree a move away and has stayed with the club on a month to month rolling deal.

Having secured a league title in my first season but performing so poorly in the cup competitions, I was keen to ensure we went one further this year. We’d need to retain the league but also get ourselves at least one cup final. Europe is considered an added bonus for any NI clubs… or so we usually believe.

PRE-PRE-SEASON SIGNINGS

Before the players had even broken for their summer break, I had already agreed to the signings of two players for the season ahead - players at very different ends of their careers.

Centre back Luke Kenny (St Mirren) impressed on loan at Cliftonville last season and with his contract at The Buddies due to expire, I made a swift move to bring him in on an initial 18 month contract.

Shane Long (Reading) was also available on a free as his current contract was winding down. At 37 years old, he’s not likely to be outpacing players in the way that he did much of his career but when Shane Long becomes available, you sign Shane Long!

SUMMER 2024

It was a busy summer window for the Blues with no fewer than six senior players leaving he club at the end of their contracts: Kirk Millar, Jordan Stewart, Jamie Mulgrew (retired), Max Haygarth, Robbie McDaid and Euan East. Added to that was the departure of Chris Shields to LOI side St Pat’s Athletic for £9.5k having agitated all summer for a move.

With seven players out the door, seven players came in to take their spots.

Goalkeepers Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur) and Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea) were free signings having been released by their previous clubs - Maguire being sent straight out on loan to Welsh side TNS for first team football.

Jamie Doran (Glenavon) became the first player I’ve paid a fee for, £6k was a reasonable sum for a young player who will add depth to the squad. Sean McAllister (Everton) was another free signing, a Northern Ireland U21international with bags of potential who spent last season on loan at Glentoran - probably a player we will only keep for a season before he moves on.

Three loans to finish off our summer dealing with the signings of defender Patrick Gamble (Blackburn Rovers), midfielder Baba Adeeko (Wigan Athletic) and striker Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest). Dale Taylor becoming the latest Linfield Academy product to come back on loan from his new club.

Europe is supposed to just be a quick fire way to increase the club’s coffers. Irish clubs aren’t supposed to compete. So it seemed when we exited the Champions League in the First Qualifying Round in a 6-2 defeat to FC Honka of Finland - I was particularly delighted at getting that 2-2 draw in the second leg.

The benefit for clubs in the Champions League Qualifying Path is that defeat means a second chance in the Europa Conference League. A chance we grabbed with both hands - overcoming Albania’s KF Tirana 8-2 in the Third Qualifying Round before a classic against Latvian side RFS in the Fourth and final Qualifying Round. A draw in the first leg had us nicely set for a big occasion at home in the second leg, neither side able to find the breakthrough in 90 mins, it was RFS who scored first in extra time. Dan Finlayson came off the bench to be the hero in the 112th minute with an equaliser to send the tie to penalties where Linfield made history becoming the first Northern Irish side to qualify for a European group stage!

It’s at this point that you expect to just enjoy the ride - six group games with a chance to bring in some big gate receipts. We performed so well in the group stage with a narrow defeat to FC Twente, holding out for draws against Dnipro and Cluj before Villarreal took us apart as expected. What was not expected was to claim two wins in the final two games against Adana and Neftci.

It’s worth noting that £429k for a win (and even £142k for a draw) is an incredible prize for clubs at this level. Two wins covered our entire playing wage bill for the season!

Those two wins were enough to drag us up into a play off position for the knock out rounds! Ultimately, AEK Athens would eb a bridge too far and the glorious adventure ended in February with defeat in the AEK Arena.

Onto the ‘domestic’ cup competitions and time to tick off the first objective of the season! I say ‘domestic’ as we would also compete in the SPFL Trust Trophy…

It felt like we were on our way to another year of disappointment with exiting the Co. Antrim Shield first to Larne on penalties in the Quarter Final. Larne were our nemesis again in the Quarter Final of the League Cup.

An unexpected SPFL Trust Trophy run ended with defeat to Livingston in the Semi Final but it was the Irish Cup that we really wanted anyway - the showpiece of football in Northern Ireland.

I went into the game against Coleraine slightly nervous as we’ve made a habit of falling on our arses in cup competitions but I need not have worried as the game was dead and buried by half time with two further second half goals sealing the cup for Linfield.

JANUARY 2025

Just one signing in the Winter window and it was my second fee paid and I honestly can’t think of a signing that typifies my FM playing more. 6’6” Elkan Baggot (Ipswich Town) cost just £13k. A 22 year old Indonesian international who would slot into that Libero spot just perfectly.

The League was an absolute cake walk once again. 3 points shorter than last season but the title was wrapped up with plenty of time remaining. As you can see, from the moment the league started, we move into pole position and couldn’t be dislodged despite the ridiculous number of games we had to play across all competitions.

One loss less than last season although we won two games fewer also. However more goals scored, less conceded. Not much more to say than it was an another absolutely delight of a league campaign.

STATS AND THAT

Dale Taylor led the scoring charts with 29 in all competitions - 3 less than Chris McKee’s total from last season. Joel Cooper finished the season with 27 goals (4 more than last season’s tally) while Chris McKee got himself on the scoresheet 14 times - tied level with midfielder Alfie Lewis (a freekick maestro).

Joel Cooper registered 14 assists with Darragh McBrien, Sean McAllister and Alfie Lewis behind on 13. Rhys Annett, Matthew Clarke and Stephen Fallon each had 12 assists.

Goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe made 55 appearances across all competitions with back-up ‘keeper Chris Johns making 11 appearances himself. Sharman-Lowe conceded 59 goals and kept 19 clean sheets. Johns conceded 18 and kept 1 clean sheet.

Joel Cooper’s 23 goals and 14 assists contributed to him attaining the highest average rating across the squad with 7.40. Sean McAllister was on 7.30 and Alfie Lewis just behind on 7.26

A THIRD SEASON AT WINDSOR?

Go on, then. Why not?

We’re facing the same problems again with Joel Cooper now wanting to explore his options - although I hold out some hope of keeping him based on what happened with other last year. Left back Matthew Clarke has confirmed he is leaving on a free transfer, although he has mostly played back up to Ryan McKay this year. Chris McKee continues to assess his options although remains on that month to month contract.

Last Season we had an income of £9.2m with £4.1m of this alone coming from the Europa Conference League prize money. A further £2.9m in gate receipts. Added to this, I cashed in a transfer clause of 25% potential profit on the deal involved with Trai Hume going to Sunderland in 2022 - the buyout value of that deal being an incredible £4.42m.

Having used a good deal of the above money to invest in Training facilities, Youth facilities, Youth coaching and recruitment - our current balance sits at a very healthy £8.7m.

A successful second season with a good run in Europe has happened to me before with Freiburg. That time, the third season was an absolute disaster - surely the same won’t come for me at Linfield?

[FM24] Linfield FC 2023/24: "I'd like to consider my options"

This has to be one of my most hated conversations in FM. A player who wants to consider their options at the end of their contract. I hate it because I feel like it gives me a false sense of hope that they’ll decide to stay when it almost always ends up with that player walking out the door.

Within weeks of the season started I was met with this notification from no fewer than three first team players. So from the off, it was a matter of planning ahead and looking at replacements.

SUMMER 2023

The only summer outgoings were loans for Rhys Annett and Aodhan Doherty to a third tier Northern Irish side Warrenpoint. The only aim was to ensure they got consistent senior appearances.

Coming in, I spotted Ryan Astley available on loan from Everton with no wages or loan fee to be paid. He’s more than capable of that Libero role at this level and for zero financial impact it was worth the move. I also couldn’t resist the temptation to bring Callum Marshall back in on loan from West Ham, though he would set us back £800 per week in wages (when used).

The cups were not kind to us this season, starting as ever with Europe. Thanks to UEFA’s efforts to try and kill off the smaller nations in Europe, 2nd place in the league was only good enough to have Linfield playing Europa Conference League football.

It started with an 8-1 demolition of Montenegrin side Arsenal (not to be confused with that other lot from Woolwich). A 9-3 win over Hungary’s Kecskeméti followed but Gent was a step too far and the European Adventure ended at the Third Qualifying Round.

It’s always a good sign when the screen is not wide enough to fit all the goalscorers on in full!

We were stopped in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy (Scottish Challenge Cup) on penalties by Inverness. It was also penalties that ended our County Antrim Shield run in the Quarter Final thanks to Cliftonville. We went one better in the League Cup but were beaten 2-1 by Championship side Ballinamallard despite taking the lead just 2 minutes in.

Four competitions down, no joy.

JANUARY 2024

A few more loans out in January with senior fringe players Jordan Stewart, Kirk Millar (both Cove Rangers) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (Crusaders) heading out in the hopes of earning a permanent move away.

The League of Ireland operating a summer football schedule means they are always a happy hunting ground for free transfers come January. Alfie Lewis comes on board after leaving Dundalk while experienced defender Roberto Lopes leaves Shamrock Rovers for Windsor Park. The last signing of the season is to bring young Patrick Kelly back to the Irish League for 6 months on a loan from West Ham - costing the princely sum of £50 per week.

The aim this year was simply to enjoy some attacking football. It might be an absolute horror show for some but this is what I’ve landed on.

The Libero and Wing Back (left) pushing forward in attack while the Inverted Full Back (right) tucks in to join the Central Defender.

The Trequartista simply there to be an absolute genius in attack while very little is expected of him when we are without the ball. Every team needs someone like this.

The league was an undeniable success. Last season Larne broke a four year run of League titles for Linfield as they won their first ever NIFL Premiership title. This year, we blew the rest of the challengers away from early on.

Never falling lower than 4th place, we regained top spot on Matchday 12 and could not be dislodged for the remainder of the season - breaking records in the process. Highest points tally and most league wins in a season.

All but two of our outfield players (Ryan McKay - LB, Max Haygarth - AMC) bagged themselves a goal at some point. Chris McKee led the scoring charts with 32 goals in 45 appearances (all competitions) from the striker position. Trequartista Joel Cooper (23), Right Winger Stephen Fallon (20) and Inside Forwards Callum Marshall (14) and Darragh McBrien (13) were next in the list.

Stephen Fallon was the lead in assists (23) with Joel Cooper not far behind (20). B2B midfielder Alfie Lewis (9) was next with his assists mostly from corners and Ryan McKay (7) just behind despite 21 of his 40 appearances being from the bench.

Goalkeeper Chris Johns made 48 appearances, conceding 50 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets. Back up David Walsh had 6 appearances with 11 goals conceded and 1 clean sheet.

With 43 goal contributions, it’s no surprise that Stephen Fallon was the highest rated player (7.62) though Joel Cooper (7.49) and Chris McKee (7.26) weren’t far behind.

LOOKING AHEAD

With Champions League football secured (Qualifying Stages) thanks to the league win, we should look forward to a significant financial windfall. Our transfer budget is currently £67k with the wage budget £22.9k per week (we have currently committed to spending £16k per week so plenty of room to manoeuvre).

The signings of Roberto Lopes and Alfie Lewis already sew up two key positions ahead of next season. With Goalkeeper Chris Johns and top scorer Chris McKee already looking to run out their contracts at the end of the season, we will need to work quickly to secure replacements there.

The loans of Paddy Kelly, Ryan Astley and Callum Marshall currently look set to end as West Ham and Everton are keen to test them in a different environment.

Aims for next season - retaining the league is an absolute must. A strong challenge in the Irish Cup would be a personal requirement but I’ll again be using the County Antrim and League Cup to give minutes to younger/fringe players.

I’m still not quite sure I’m comfortable referring to Linfield as “we” but the save continues for now…