(LIN)FIELD OF DREAMS
Which football club is the best in the world? Come on, let’s get this straightened out, once and for all. A good place to start would be the current club world champions, Real Madrid – who can also point to 15 European Cups, 36 league titles and a world-beating 400 million subscribers across various Social Media Abominations. Yet those humble trophy-lifters from the Bernabéu can be beaten on sheer hardware count by Egypt’s Al-Ahly (125 pots in total, to Madrid’s 103), Celtic (118 domestic trophies to 71) – and Linfield, the south Belfast galacticos with a world-record 57 league titles.
Recent years have, by their own ridiculous standards, been lean for Linfield, stuck on 56 since way back in 2021-22 as upstarts Larne won the last two Northern Ireland Premiership crowns. They put things right this season, though, securing the title after Larne drew with second-placed Glentoran on Monday night. David Healy’s team [yes, that David Healy – Football Daily Ed] are 19 points clear at the top with six games to go, becoming the first team to win the league before it separates into two sections, Scottish style. Speaking of which, Linfield’s latest title is bad news for the two slumbering giants across the North Channel in Glasgow.
Below the mighty Linfield in the list of all-time league title winners are Rangers (55) and Celtic (54) – with the Hoops closing in on their 55th this season. There is, of course, the issue of “the Sevco years” – when Rangers were liquidated in 2012 and forced to re-enter the pyramid at level four. This has led to more than a decade of “entertaining” debate about whether or not Rangers’ tally should have been reset, with opinions in no way guided by which Old Firm side you happen to support. Still, this season’s events dictate that any Most League Titles in the World banner will be staying in storage at Ibrox for a while yet – although it wouldn’t be the most nonsensical one Rangers fans have unfurled in recent weeks.
But enough about all that – this is Linfield’s day, after a season where the best team in the world showed that even relentless dominance doesn’t come easy. The Blues saw a number of their players depart in January, while top scorer Joel Cooper stayed on despite signing an unexpected pre-contract deal with mid-table Coleraine. Healy had been under pressure as recently as November, but a late comeback win at Carrick Rangers sparked a run of 15 victories in 19 games. All of which came after their manager turned down a tempting offer from Scottish second-tier side Raith Rovers. Truly, it’s tough at the top.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain. They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, never showing emotion, and that the world – including women – is against them. They are as far away as you could possibly get from the role models our young men need in their lives” – former England manager Gareth Southgate delivers the Richard Dimbleby Lecture and uses his platform to decry the grifters taking the place of traditional father figures in society, who are contributing to mental health issues among young men.
Re: north v south (yesterday’s Football Daily). Leaving aside the issue that we need more football like Donald Trump needs an ego boost … the North v South game has already happened. With Sheffield famously being the first northern town or the first midlands town, depending on your direction of travel, last weekend’s derby between the Blades and the Owls was clearly it. And the south of the city (just) won. No need for another game” – Trevor Townson.
Reading the recent article on Eddie Howe being awarded the freedom of Newcastle. I wondered if the city might go a little further and rename the famous Barrack Road that leads up past St James’ Park, Eddie Howe’Way, instead?” – Stephen Rea.
Thanks for the link to the Mexican league (yesterday’s Still Want More, full email edition). I’ve learned something. I always assumed it was Sergio Ramos-Sentoff, like Kyle Walker-Peters or Trent Alexander-Arnold, or Darwin Nunez-Mistasitta. And as for Alan Hansen (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition), great to see him fit and well. I genuinely miss him on MotD, but you can tell from his palms up that he’s just told Prince William his medal handling skills are absolutely abysmal” – Antony Train.
Despite the fact I vowed to never write to you again since you won’t select any of my deluge of letters, I do have a serious question. The group of words at the very end, right after Memory Lane (full email edition), which in the latest posting is ‘One Egg’ … what in the wide, wide, world of sports are you on about with these enigmatic utterances?” – Michael Shain.
Re: yesterday’s last line: un œuf est un œuf!” – David Bell.
Send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … David Bell. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
MOVING THE GOALPOSTS
Our sister email discusses Mak Whitham’s NWSL debut aged 14, with the general gist being: if you’re good enough, are you really old enough?