Big Two derby

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Big Two Derby
Glentoran v Linfield 21.2.14.jpg
Linfield play Glentoran at The Oval in 2014
LocationBelfast, Northern Ireland
TeamsGlentoran
Linfield
First meeting1 October 1887
Linfield Athletic 3–1 Glentoran
King's Field, Ballymacarrett
Friendly
Latest meeting27th December, 2021
Linfield1–1 Glentoran

NIFL Premiership
Next meetingTBA
Statistics
Meetings total466 (competitive)
Most winsLinfield (227)
All-time seriesLinfield – 227
Glentoran – 131
Draws – 108
Largest victoryLinfield 8–0 Glentoran
Ulsterville Avenue
Irish League
(21 November 1891)

The Big Two derby, also referred to simply as the Big Two or Bel Classico, is the name given to the Northern Irish association football derby between Belfast clubs, Linfield and Glentoran. The derby is also sometimes referred to as the Belfast derby.[1] They are the two most successful and most supported clubs in Northern Irish Football. They traditionally face each other on Boxing Day each year[2] which usually attracts the largest Irish Premiership attendance of the season.[3] They regularly play each other in the league, and have contested more cup finals together than any other two clubs.[4] They also make up two of the three clubs (along with Cliftonville) that have competed in every season of the Irish League's top flight since its inception in 1890 – neither club ever suffering relegation.

Although Linfield and Glentoran have been the two most successful clubs in the domestic game to date, Linfield has won all three of the current major domestic trophies more than any other club. They have won more than twice as many league titles as their rivals, with Linfield having won 54 league titles to Glentoran's 23. Linfield has also lifted the Irish Cup a record 43 times to Glentoran's 23, and has won the League Cup a record 10 times to Glentoran's seven.

History[]

The term "Big Two" did not always refer to Linfield and Glentoran. Up until 1949, the big two were considered to be Linfield and Belfast Celtic as they had traditionally been the most successful teams in Northern Irish football. Given the traditional political following of both clubs (Linfield, like Glentoran, with a mainly unionist following, and Belfast Celtic with a mainly nationalist following), sectarian violence between supporters of both clubs was common. This culminated with a riot on 26 December 1948 at Windsor Park that saw three Celtic players injured by Linfield supporters, including striker Jimmy Jones who sustained a broken leg.[5] Belfast Celtic left the Irish League at the end of the season and Glentoran became Linfield's biggest rivals.[6]

Both teams are predominantly Protestant; however, Glentoran has fielded Catholic players and had Catholic fans for much of its history. Linfield fielded relatively few Catholic players prior to the 1980s,[7] which led to an accusation that the club held a policy of not signing Catholic players – similar to Scottish team, Rangers.[8] However, the existence of such a policy has been disputed by some, including well-known local journalist Malcolm Brodie.[9] Support is traditionally split geographically with Linfield based in the south of the city and Glentoran in the east. Although both based in Belfast, they are separated by the River Lagan and are in two different counties. Linfield is based in County Antrim and Glentoran is based in County Down, although Glentoran and other County Down-based sides compete in the County Antrim Shield.

The first game of which there is any record between Linfield and Glentoran took place on 1 October 1887. A friendly match played at King's Field, Westbourne in Ballymacarrett was won 3–1 by Linfield (then known as Linfield Athletic), with goalscorers Torrans (2) and Vance, and Glentoran's goalscorer unknown. The two teams played each other competitively for the first time in the inaugural Irish League season, with Linfield winning 7–0 at Musgrave Park on 18 October 1890, and 6–0 at Ulsterville Avenue on 21 March 1891. The first game at The Oval took place on 8 October 1892, and the first game at Windsor Park on 2 September 1905. Linfield previously played at a ground in Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast, before moving to Windsor Park, which is situated within walking distance of their old ground. Also the home of the Northern Ireland national football team, they have played at Windsor Park ever since.

In 1941, during World War II, The Oval – including terraces, offices, kits and club records – was destroyed in a bombing raid on the nearby Harland & Wolff Shipyard. Glentoran approached Distillery to play at Grosvenor Park, which they did until The Oval was rebuilt in 1949, with help from other Irish League clubs, most notably Distillery and Cliftonville. Glentoran considered leaving senior football to become a junior club, but after being lent kits from Distillery and Crusaders they continued to compete at Grosvenor. Out of 14 league games at Grosvenor Park however, they were only victorious over Linfield on one occasion.[10]

Since Belfast Celtic folded in 1949, the intensity of the Big Two rivalry has increased due to the fact that Glentoran has been the only club that has generated a support base similar in size to Linfield's, and because a number of Belfast Celtic fans started to support Glentoran due to the dissolution of their club.[11] In the 1985 Irish Cup final at the Oval, Glentoran supporters released a cockerel (Glentoran's club emblem), and a pig that had been painted blue onto the pitch to insult fans of Linfield.[2] In 2005, Linfield fans broke through a gate in perimeter fencing onto the pitch of The Oval and threw missiles at Glentoran fans in the main stand.[12] The BBC and Ulster Television were ordered to give police footage they had filmed of the game after 9 fans were charged with the violence. 9 police officers and 2 Glentoran fans were injured in the violence.[13]

Both sides share rivalries with North Belfast clubs Cliftonville and Crusaders. The two however are less successful than the Big Two and see each other as their main rivals, contesting the North Belfast derby. They also both traditionally shared a rivalry with Lisburn Distillery, but since Distillery's relocation from Grosvenor Park to Lisburn, and their downturn in on-pitch fortunes, the rivalry has ebbed.

Trophy dominance[]

Linfield and Glentoran have been the two most successful clubs in Northern Irish football to date, regularly being the two main contenders for the major domestic honours. They have won more league titles, Irish Cups, and League Cups than any other clubs. Linfield hold the record for the most League titles (54), Irish Cups (43), and League Cups (10). In comparison, Glentoran have won 23 league titles, 23 Irish Cups, and 7 League Cups. Almost half (47.1%) of the 140 Irish Cup competitions to date have been won by one of the two clubs, with at least one of the clubs reaching the final on 91 occasions (65% of all finals), winning the cup a combined 66 times. Of those 91 finals, the two clubs have met in 15 of them – making it the most common final. Linfield have won eight of the head-to-head final meetings compared to Glentoran's seven wins, with the most recent final meeting between the two clubs occurring in the 2006 final, when Linfield won 2–1 to lift the Cup for the 37th time. Almost two-thirds (64.7%) of all Irish League titles have been won by one of the Big Two. Of the 119 completed league seasons, the title has been won by either club on 77 occasions. The duo also make up two of the three clubs that have appeared in every season of the Irish League since its inception in 1890; the other club being Cliftonville.

Linfield's financial advantage over the other clubs must be acknowledged when comparing their relative success. In 1912, seven of the eight league clubs resigned from the IFA due to Linfield receiving higher fees than other clubs for hosting international games. This schism, while quickly mended, led to the striking of the Gold Cup as an alternative Irish Cup from which the seven clubs were excluded. In 1984, the IFA signed a 104-year agreement with Linfield to host internationals at Windsor Park, with only Glentoran objecting to the deal at the time. The contract meant that Linfield were entitled to a payment of 15% of all revenues generated from home internationals. This became financially lucrative for Linfield after the IFA signed a £10 million deal with Sky to televise internationals. Linfield maintained ownership of the stadium, and were required to maintain the stadium to international standard, however, over the years, the stadium had fallen into disrepair. This necessitated redevelopment, with the Northern Ireland government funding the majority of the £36 million project to rebuild the stadium. The IFA then took over ownership of the stadium, while Linfield retained ownership of the land. In 2012, Linfield and the IFA agreed a new contract for the use of Windsor Park. Linfield would receive an annual payment as rent for the land, but would no longer receive 15% of the ticket sales, TV rights, and commercial rights from international matches as they did under the old agreement.[14] The 51-year agreement took effect from May 2014, with Linfield initially receiving £200,000 per year - subject to review (being adjusted for inflation etc.) every four years. This rose by 7% to £214,000 in 2018, and is due to increase again in 2022. The contract will expire in 2065.[15]

Statistics[]

As of the end of the 2019–20 season
Winner League Irish Cup League Cup Co. Antrim Shield Total
Linfield 54 43 10 43 150
Glentoran 23 23 7 27 80
Total 77 66 17 70 230
Competitions 119 140 34 132 425
Big Two win % 64.7% 47.1% 50% 53% 54.1%

Head-to-head record[]

Overall[]

Statistics for which reliable sources have been found apply to competitive games in all competitions (wartime league results not included). Wins include those after extra time and/or penalty shoot-outs. Please note the statistics for some cup competitions are incomplete, as the total number of competitive games between the clubs is 670 as of 1 March 2021

As of 24 November 2020
Result League Irish Cup League Cup Co. Antrim Shield Europa League
play-offs 		Setanta Cup Gold Cup Ulster Cup City Cup Floodlit Cup Belfast Charity Cup North-South Cup Charity Shield Alhambra Cup Total
Linfield wins 125 28 8 20 0 6 12 6 6 1 12 1 1 1 227
Glentoran wins 74 17 6 11 1 0 7 2 8 2 3 0 0 0 133
Draws 75 14 2 4 0 2 2 3 5 0 0 1 0 0 108
Total 274 59 16 35 1 8 21 11 19 3 15 2 1 1 466

League only[]

Statistics apply to league matches only (wartime results not included)

As of 24 November 2020
Result Windsor Park The Oval Ulsterville Avenue Grosvenor Park Musgrave Park Total
Linfield wins 62 52 7 2 2 125
Glentoran wins 26 45 3 0 0 74
Draws 35 35 5 0 0 75
Total 123 132 15 2 2 274

Results[]

League results[]

All time results taken from Irish Football Club Project and various other sources.[16][17] Attendance figures from nifootballleague.com.[18]

Glentoran v. Linfield Linfield v. Glentoran
Season
Division
Date
Venue
Score
Attendance
Date
Venue
Score
Attendance
1890–91 Irish League 18 October 1890 Westbourne
0 – 7
 21 March 1891 Ulsterville
6 – 0
1891–92 Irish League 3 October 1891 Westbourne
1 – 7
 23 April 1892 Ulsterville
8 – 0
1892–93 Irish League 8 October 1892 The Oval
1 – 2
 3 September 1892 Ulsterville
5 – 0
1893–94 Irish League 21 October 1893 The Oval
1 – 3
 16 September 1893 Ulsterville
0 – 1
1894–95 Irish League 15 September 1894 The Oval
2 – 2
 6 October 1894 Ulsterville
3 – 0
1895–96 Irish League 19 October 1895 The Oval
2 – 3
 5 October 1895 The Oval1
2 – 2
1896–97 Irish League 3 October 1896 The Oval
1 – 0
 21 November 1896 Balmoral
2 – 2
1897–98 Irish League 2 October 1897 The Oval
2 – 4
 13 November 1897 Balmoral1
2 – 1
1898–99 Irish League 1 October 1898 The Oval
1 – 2
 19 November 1898 Balmoral
0 – 1
1899–00 Irish League 18 November 1899 The Oval
4 – 4
 23 September 1899 Balmoral
2 – 0
1900–01 Irish League 3 November 1900 The Oval
0 – 0
 29 September 1900 Balmoral
1 – 3
1901–02 Irish League 28 October 1901 The Oval
0 – 2
 ? Balmoral
5 – 1
1902–03 Irish League 18 October 1902 The Oval
0 – 1
 ? Balmoral
1 – 1
1903–04 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 1 March 1904 Balmoral
0 – 0
1904–05 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 0
 ? Balmoral
2 – 2
1905–06 Irish League 11 November 1905 The Oval
1 – 2
 2 September 1905 Windsor Park
1 – 0
1906–07 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 2
 30 April 1907 Windsor Park
1 – 1
1907–08 Irish League 8 February 1908 The Oval
2 – 2
 18 January 1908 Windsor Park
2 – 3
1908–09 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 1
1909–10 Irish League ? The Oval
4 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 1
1910–11 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 2
1911–12 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 1
1912–13 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 4
1913–14 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 2
1914–15 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 0
1915–16 Belfast & District League ? The Oval
0 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 0
1916–17 Belfast & District League ? The Oval
4 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 2
1917–18 Belfast & District League ? The Oval
0 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 0
1918–19 Belfast & District League ? The Oval
1 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 2
1919–20 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 0
1920–21 Irish League 11 December 1920 The Oval
1 – 0
 15 January 1921 Windsor Park
2 – 3
1921–22 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 0
1922–23 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 1
1923–24 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 2
1924–25 Irish League 24 January 1925 The Oval
4 – 0
 1 November 1924 Windsor Park
2 – 1
1925–26 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 1
1926–27 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 1
1927–28 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 5
 ? Windsor Park
6 – 1
1928–29 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 3
1929–30 Irish League 7 September 1929 The Oval
3 – 3
 21 December 1929 Windsor Park
3 – 1
1930–31 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 2
1931–32 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 3
1932–33 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 5
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 2
1933–34 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 1
1934–35 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 0
1935–36 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 1
1936–37 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
5 – 1
1937–38 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
5 – 2
1938–39 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 1
1939–40 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 2
1940–41 Northern Regional League ? The Oval
1 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 4
? The Oval
3 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 3
1941–42 Northern Regional League ? Grosvenor Park
0 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 7
? Grosvenor Park
3 – 4
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 3
1942–43 Northern Regional League ? Grosvenor Park
2 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 3
? Grosvenor Park
1 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
5 – 3
1943–44 Northern Regional League ? Grosvenor Park
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 1
? Grosvenor Park
1 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
5 – 5
1944–45 Northern Regional League ? Grosvenor Park
1 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 3
? Grosvenor Park
1 – 5
 ? Windsor Park
9 – 2
1945–46 Northern Regional League ? Grosvenor Park
0 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
5 – 0
? Grosvenor Park
1 – 7
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 2
1946–47 Northern Regional League 11 January 1947 Grosvenor Park
1 – 2
 7 December 1946 Windsor Park
4 – 2
12 April 1947 Grosvenor Park
2 – 4
 1 March 1947 Windsor Park
2 – 3
1947–48 Irish League 17 January 1948 Grosvenor Park
0 – 2
 15 November 1947 Windsor Park
1 – 1
1948–49 Irish League ? Grosvenor Park
1 – 4
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 0
1949–50 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 1
1950–51 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 1
1951–52 Irish League ? The Oval
4 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 0
1952–53 Irish League 14 March 1953 The Oval
3 – 1
 25 December 1952 Windsor Park
1 – 1
1953–54 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 2
1954–55 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 0
1955–56 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 0
1956–57 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 2
1957–58 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 1
1958–59 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 2
1959–60 Irish League ? The Oval
7 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 2
1960–61 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 2
1961–62 Irish League 17 February 1962 The Oval
1 – 1
 20 January 1962 Windsor Park
3 – 1
1962–63 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 1
1963–64 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 8
1964–65 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
4 – 1
1965–66 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 2
1966–67 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 1
1967–68 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
3 – 1
1968–69 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 3
1969–70 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 2
1970–71 Irish League ? The Oval
0 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 1
1971–72 Irish League ? The Oval
4 – 0
 4 December 1971 Windsor Park
2 – 2
1972–73 Irish League 25 November 1972 The Oval
0 – 2
 April 1973 Windsor Park
0 – 1
1973–74 Irish League 25 December 1973 The Oval
3 – 2
 4 April 1974 Windsor Park
5 – 1
1974–75 Irish League 15 March 1975 The Oval
1 – 0
 26 December 1974 Windsor Park
4 – 1
1975–76 Irish League 26 December 1976 The Oval
2 – 1
 20 March 1976 Windsor Park
1 – 2
1976–77 Irish League March 1977 The Oval
2 – 0
 25 December 1976 Windsor Park
3 – 0
1977–78 Irish League 26 December 1977 The Oval
2 – 3
 25 March 1978 Windsor Park
1 – 2
1978–79 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 1
1979–80 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 2
 12 January 1980 Windsor Park
5 – 0
1980–81 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 1
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 1
1981–82 Irish League ? The Oval
1 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 2
1982–83 Irish League ? The Oval
3 – 0
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 2
1983–84 Irish League 3 March 1984 The Oval
4 – 1
 26 November 1983 Windsor Park
3 – 0
1984–85 Irish League 24 November 1984 The Oval
2 – 3
 9 March 1985 Windsor Park
3 – 1
1985–86 Irish League ? The Oval
2 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
2 – 1
1986–87 Irish League 22 November 1986 The Oval
3 – 1
 29 November 1986 Windsor Park
1 – 0
1987–88 Irish League 16 April 1988 The Oval
0 – 1
 2 February 1988 Windsor Park
0 – 2
1988–89 Irish League 7 January 1989 The Oval
2 – 3
 22 April 1989 Windsor Park
1 – 2
1989–90 Irish League 26 December 1989 The Oval
3 – 2
 ? Windsor Park
1 – 3
1990–91 Irish League 10 April 1991 The Oval
1 – 0
 26 December 1990 Windsor Park
1 – 1
1991–92 Irish League 26 December 1991 The Oval
3 – 3
 ? Windsor Park
0 – 0
1992–93 Irish League 17 April 1993 The Oval
1 – 2
 26 December 1992 Windsor Park
2 – 0
1993–94 Irish League 27 December 1993 The Oval
0 – 2
 30 April 1994 Windsor Park
2 – 0
1994–95 Irish League 29 April 1995 The Oval
2 – 2
 26 December 1994 Windsor Park
1 – 1
1995–96 Irish League 26 December 1995 The Oval
0 – 3
 4 November 1995 Windsor Park
0 – 4
20 April 1996 The Oval
3 – 0
 17 February 1996 Windsor Park
2 – 0
1996–97 Irish League 9 November 1996 The Oval
1 – 1
 26 December 1996 Windsor Park
0 – 0
15 February 1997 The Oval
0 – 2
 19 April 1997 Windsor Park
0 – 0
1997–98 Irish League 30 August 1997 The Oval
0 – 3
 1 November 1997 Windsor Park
3 – 0
26 December 1997 The Oval
1 – 1
 7 March 1998 Windsor Park
2 – 0
1998–99 Irish League 5 December 1998 The Oval
1 – 2
 3 October 1998 Windsor Park
1 – 1
6 March 1999 The Oval
0 – 1
 26 December 1998 Windsor Park
1 – 1
1999–00 Irish League 31 August 1999 The Oval
1 – 0
 30 October 1999 Windsor Park
2 – 0
26 December 1999 The Oval
1 – 1
 18 March 2000 Windsor Park
1 – 2
2000–01 Irish League 28 October 2000 The Oval
0 – 1
 12 September 2000 Windsor Park
0 – 0
10 May 2001 The Oval
2 – 0
 26 December 2000 Windsor Park
2 – 0
2001–02 Irish League 1 September 2001 The Oval
1 – 0
 17 November 2001 Windsor Park
0 – 0
26 December 2001 The Oval
3 – 3
 16 March 2002 Windsor Park
2 – 2
2002–03 Irish League 12 October 2002 The Oval
3 – 2
 26 December 2002 Windsor Park
1 – 1
22 January 2003 The Oval
0 – 0
 29 April 2003 Windsor Park
1 – 1
2003–04 Irish Premier League 26 December 2003 The Oval
1 – 3
 24 March 2004 Windsor Park
2 – 1
2004–05 Irish Premier League 22 April 2005 The Oval
3 – 2
 26 December 2004 Windsor Park
1 – 1
2005–06 Irish Premier League 26 December 2005 The Oval
1 – 4
 15 April 2006 Windsor Park
0 – 0
2006–07 Irish Premier League 14 April 2007 The Oval
1 – 2
 26 December 2007 Windsor Park
1 – 1
2007–08 Irish Premier League 26 December 2007 The Oval
1 – 0
 12 April 2008 Windsor Park
0 – 0
2008–09 IFA Premiership 4 March 2009 The Oval
2 – 0
 6,108 26 December 2008 Windsor Park
3 – 0
 9,500
10 April 2009 The Oval
1 – 1
 16 March 2009 Windsor Park
1 – 0
 4,264
2009–10 IFA Premiership 18 August 2009 The Oval
2 – 2
 6,105 17 October 2009 Windsor Park
2 – 1
 4,604
26 January 2010 The Oval
2 – 2
 6 April 2010 Windsor Park
3 – 1
 4,385
2010–11 IFA Premiership 27 September 2010 The Oval
0 – 0
 3,425 18 November 2010 Windsor Park
2 – 1
 5,177
16 April 2011 The Oval
1 – 2
 19 April 2011 Windsor Park
3 – 2
2011–12 IFA Premiership 9 November 2011 The Oval
2 – 0
 2,428 27 August 2011 Windsor Park
0 – 1
 3,526
26 December 2011 The Oval
1 – 0
 5,300 28 April 2012 Windsor Park
0 – 2
 2,167
2012–13 IFA Premiership 1 September 2012 The Oval
1 – 1
 2,991 26 December 2012 Windsor Park
2 – 1
 5,458
16 February 2013 The Oval
1 – 1
 2 April 2013 Windsor Park
1 – 0
 1,801
2013–14 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2013 The Oval
1 – 2
5,389 30 August 2013 Windsor Park
0 – 0
 2,736
21 February 2014 The Oval
0 – 1
 2,016 22 April 2014 Windsor Park
0 – 2
 2,467
2014–15 NIFL Premiership 13 August 2014 The Oval
2 – 3
4,316 15 November 2014 Windsor Park
2 – 2
 3,670
7 April 2015 The Oval
1 – 2
 3,350 26 December 2014 Windsor Park
2 – 1
 6,538
2015–16 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2015 The Oval
1 – 2
 6,000 10 October 2015 Windsor Park
1 – 1
 4,057
19 April 2016 The Oval
0 – 4
 2,350 12 March 2016 Windsor Park
3 – 0
 4,175
2016–17 NIFL Premiership 1 October 2016 The Oval
1 – 2
 3,754 26 December 2016 Windsor Park
1 – 1
 7,504
25 February 2017 The Oval
0 – 1
 3,045
2017–18 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2017 The Oval
2 – 1
 6,054 9 September 2017 Windsor Park
1 – 0
 4,179
17 March 2018 Windsor Park
1 – 1
 2,607
2018–19 NIFL Premiership 8 October 2018 The Oval
0 – 1
 4,425 26 December 2018 Windsor Park
4 – 0
 6,944
28 January 2019 Windsor Park
4 – 2
 2,554
2019–20 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2019 The Oval
3 – 0
 14 September 2019 Windsor Park
1 – 0
2020–21 NIFL Premiership The Oval 24 November 2020 Windsor Park
3 – 3
The Oval 26 December 2020 Windsor Park
  • 1 In 1895-96, Linfield played all their matches away from home after their Ulsterville ground was purchased for development.

Other results[]

Season Date Competition Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1891–92 21 November 1891 Irish Cup Quarter-final Ulsterville Linfield
6 – 0
 Glentoran
23 April 1892 Belfast Charity Cup Quarter-final Ulsterville Linfield
4 – 0
 Glentoran
1892–93 5 November 1892 Irish Cup First round Ulsterville Linfield
6 – 1
 Glentoran
22 April 1893 Belfast Charity Cup Semi-final Ulster Cricket Ground Linfield
1 – 0
 Glentoran
1893–94 18 November 1893 Irish Cup First round Ulsterville Linfield
4 – 0
 Glentoran
28 April 1894 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran 5,000
1894–95 23 February 1895 City Cup Group stage Ulsterville Linfield
5 – 2
 Glentoran
1895–96 2 November 1895 City Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
0 – 1
 Linfield
1896–97 2 January 1897 City Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
13 February 1897 County Antrim Shield Semi-final Grosvenor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1897–98 15 April 1898 Belfast Charity Cup Semi-final Solitude Glentoran
2 – 1
 Linfield
7 May 1898 City Cup Group stage Balmoral Linfield
0 – 1
 Glentoran
1898–99 7 January 1899 County Antrim Shield First round The Oval Glentoran
0 – 3
 Linfield
18 March 1899 Irish Cup Final Solitude Linfield
1 – 01
 Glentoran 7,000
6 May 1899 City Cup Group stage Balmoral Linfield
0 – 1
 Glentoran
1901–02 26 April 1902 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
24 May 1902 City Cup Group stage Balmoral Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
1902–03 8 November 1902 Irish Cup Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2
 Linfield
13 December 1902 City Cup Group stage Balmoral Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran
9 May 1903 City Cup Final Grosvenor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
16 May 1903 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1904–05 31 December 1904 City Cup Group stage Balmoral Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
6 May 1905 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1906–07 30 March 1907 County Antrim Shield Final Solitude Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
27 April 1907 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
1907–08 4 January 1908 City Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
5 – 0
 Linfield
1912–13 29 March 1913 Irish Cup Final Celtic Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran 20,000
1913–14 21 March 1914 County Antrim Shield Final Grosvenor Park Linfield
3 – 2
 Glentoran 20,000
28 March 1914 Irish Cup Final Grosvenor Park Glentoran
3 – 1
 Linfield 20,000
? Belfast Charity Cup Final ? Linfield
? – ?
 Glentoran
1915–16 25 March 1916 Irish Cup Final Celtic Park Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran
1 April 1916 Final replay Grosvenor Park Linfield
1 – 0
 Glentoran
1916–17 3 March 1917 County Antrim Shield Final Celtic Park Linfield
3 – 0
 Glentoran
5 May 1917 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Linfield
1 – 0
 Glentoran
1917–18 20 April 1918 County Antrim Shield Final Grosvenor Park Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
? Belfast Charity Cup Final ? Linfield
? – ?
 Glentoran
1918–19 29 March 1919 Irish Cup Final Celtic Park Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran 18,000
5 April 1919 Final replay Grosvenor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
7 April 1919 Final replay Solitude Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
? Belfast Charity Cup Final ? Linfield
? – ?
 Glentoran
1920–21 4 September 1920 Gold Cup Group stage The Oval Linfield
0 – 1
 Glentoran
9 October 1920 The Oval Glentoran
0 – 1
 Linfield
22 January 1921 County Antrim Shield Semi-final Solitude Glentoran
0 – 0
 Linfield
3 February 1921 Semi-final replay Solitude Glentoran
1 – 0
 Linfield
31 March 1921 City Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
2 April 1921 The Oval Glentoran
3 – 0
 Linfield
1921–22 27 August 1921 Alhambra Cup Semi-final Solitude Linfield
1 – 0
 Glentoran
1922–23 10 March 1923 County Antrim Shield Final Solitude Linfield
4 – 1
 Glentoran
31 March 1923 Irish Cup Final Solitude Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1924–25 4 April 1925 City Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 2
 Glentoran
1925–26 ? Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 2
 Glentoran
? Quarter-final replay The Oval Glentoran
2 – 2
 Linfield
? Quarter-final replay Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 2
 Glentoran
24 April 1926 City Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 2
 Glentoran
1926–27 14 May 1927 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Linfield
5 – 2
 Glentoran
1928–29 ? City Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1929–30 12 February 1930 Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
9 April 1930 County Antrim Shield Final Solitude Linfield
3 – 1
 Glentoran
1930–31 ? Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
5 – 1
 Glentoran
1931–32 26 March 1932 Irish Cup Final Celtic Park Glentoran
2 – 1
 Linfield
1934–35 23 February 1935 Irish Cup Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
4 – 2
 Linfield
1936–37 ? Irish Cup Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
0 – 0
 Linfield
? Quarter-final replay Windsor Park Linfield
6 – 1
 Glentoran
1937–38 19 May 1938 Belfast Charity Cup Final Solitude Linfield
3 – 1
Glentoran
1938–39 13 May 1939 Belfast Charity Cup Semi-final Solitude Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
1939–40 24 April 1940 County Antrim Shield Final Solitude Glentoran
4 – 0
 Linfield
1941–42 18 April 1942 Irish Cup Final Celtic Park Linfield
3 – 1
 Glentoran
1944–45 14 April 1945 Irish Cup Final Celtic Park Linfield
4 – 2
 Glentoran 20,000
1945–46 ? Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1946–47 21 August 1946 Substitute Gold Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
14 September 1946 Grosvenor Park Glentoran
0 – 2
 Linfield
1947–48 2 September 1947 Gold Cup Second round Grosvenor Park Glentoran
3 – 1
 Linfield
18 October 1947 City Cup Group stage Grosvenor Park Glentoran
3 – 1
 Linfield
31 December 1947 Group stage playoff Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 3
 Glentoran
14 April 1948 County Antrim Shield Semi-final Grosvenor Park Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield
20 April 1948 Semi-final replay Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
1948–49 22 January 1949 Irish Cup First round Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 2
 Glentoran
1949–50 13 May 1950 County Antrim Shield Final Solitude Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
11 February 1950 Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 0
 Glentoran
1950–51 20 September 1950 Gold Cup Final Solitude Linfield
5 – 1
 Glentoran
10 January 1951 Ulster Cup Final Grosvenor Park Glentoran
2 – 1
 Linfield
7 April 1951 Irish Cup Semi-final The Oval Glentoran
3 – 1
 Linfield
1951–52 15 March 1952 Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
2 April 1952 Quarter-final replay The Oval Glentoran
2 – 2
 Linfield
9 April 1952 Quarter-final replay Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
17 April 1952 Quarter-final replay The Oval Glentoran
1 – 0
 Linfield
1952–53 13 September 1952 City Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran
28 March 1953 Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
1956–57 ? Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 2
 Glentoran
? Semi-final replay The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2
 Linfield
1960–61 3 May 1961 Gold Cup Final Solitude Glentoran
4 – 2
 Linfield
7 May 1961 County Antrim Shield Final ? Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
1961–62 9 September 1961 City Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2
 Linfield
14 November 1961 Ulster Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
5 December 1961 Gold Cup Final Grosvenor Park Linfield
4 – 0
 Glentoran
30 January 1962 North-South Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
5 February 1962 Final replay Grosvenor Park Linfield
7 – 1
 Glentoran
12 May 1962 County Antrim Shield Final Solitude Linfield
5 – 0
 Glentoran
1963–64 15 January 1964 Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 2
 Glentoran
12 February 1964 Final replay Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 2
 Glentoran
? County Antrim Shield Semi-final Solitude Glentoran
5 – 1
 Linfield
1965–66 23 April 1966 Irish Cup Final The Oval Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield 20,000
1966–67 ? Irish Cup Semi-final The Oval Glentoran
1 – 0
 Linfield
? County Antrim Shield Semi-final ? Linfield
2 – 1
Glentoran
1967–68 ? Ulster Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 2
 Glentoran
? County Antrim Shield Final ? Glentoran
3 – 3
 Linfield
? Final replay ? Glentoran
3 – 0
 Linfield
1968–69 ? Ulster Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield
? Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran 20,000
? Final replay The Oval Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
1970–71 22 August 1970 Ulster Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2
 Linfield
17 March 1971 Gold Cup Final The Oval Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran 15,000
1972–73 28 April 1973 Irish Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
3 – 2
 Linfield 12,000
1 May 1973 County Antrim Shield ? Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran
1973–74 25 August 1973 Ulster Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
6 – 0
 Glentoran
1975–76 ? Irish Cup Semi-final ? Glentoran
0 – 2
 Linfield
1976–77 ? County Antrim Shield Final ? Linfield
3 – 1
 Glentoran
23 November 1976 Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
5 – 1
 Linfield 10,000
5 February 1977 Irish Cup First round The Oval Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield
8 February 1977 First round replay Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 0
 Glentoran
1977–78 25 February 1978 Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
4 – 3
 Glentoran
1978–79 ? Ulster Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0
 Glentoran
1979–80 23 February 1980 Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
4 – 0
 Glentoran
1980–81 ? County Antrim Shield Final ? Linfield
4 – 1
 Glentoran
1982–83 ? Ulster Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
5 – 2
 Glentoran
? County Antrim Shield Final ? Linfield
4 – 1
 Glentoran
22 September 1982 Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
30 April 1983 Irish Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield 12,000
7 May 1983 Final replay The Oval Glentoran
2 – 1
 Linfield 8,000
1983–84 24 September 1983 Ulster Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 3
 Glentoran
18 October 1983 Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 1
 Glentoran
29 October 1983 Ulster Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield
1984–85 9 October 1984 Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 1
 Glentoran
4 May 1985 Irish Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield 12,000
11 May 1985 Final replay Windsor Park Glentoran
1 – 0
 Linfield 12,000
1986–87 25 April 1987 Gold Cup Final The Oval Glentoran
3 – 2
 Linfield
1987–88 28 October 1987 Gold Cup Semi-final The Oval Linfield
1 – 1 (5 – 4 pens)
 Glentoran
19 April 1988 County Antrim Chalice Second round Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 2
 Glentoran
1988–89 30 November 1988 Irish League Cup Final The Oval Glentoran
2 – 1
 Linfield 10,000
11 March 1989 Irish Cup Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
0 – 3
 Linfield
1989–90 ? County Antrim Shield Final ? Glentoran
0 – 0 (6 – 5 pens)
 Linfield
24 October 1989 Irish League Cup Second round Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 4
 Glentoran
7 March 1990 Floodlit Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
4 – 2
 Linfield
? Irish Cup Semi-final ? Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
1993–94 23 November 1993 Floodlit Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 2 (aet)
 Glentoran
? Irish League Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
1994–95 20 August 1994 Ulster Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
0 – 1
 Linfield
1995–96 16 August 1995 Irish League Cup Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
0 – 1
 Linfield
28 November 1995 Gold Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 2 (4 – 3 pens)
 Glentoran
6 February 1996 Floodlit Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Glentoran
2 – 1
 Linfield
1997–98 9 September 1997 Irish League Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 0
 Glentoran
4 April 1998 Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 2
 Glentoran
1998–99 4 May 1999 Irish League Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran 6,500
1999–00 30 November 1999 Gold Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
4 – 2
 Linfield
8 April 2000 Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Glentoran
3 – 2
 Linfield
2000–01 5 August 2000 Charity Shield Final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
30 January 2001 County Antrim Shield Final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran
5 May 2001 Irish Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
1 – 0 (aet)
 Linfield 14,190
2001–02 9 October 2001 Irish League Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran
27 November 2001 Final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 1
 Glentoran 6,200
26 February 2002 County Antrim Shield Final The Oval Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield
2002–03 24 September 2002 Irish League Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield
3 December 2002 Final Windsor Park Glentoran
2 – 0
 Linfield 5,700
24 February 2003 County Antrim Shield Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 1
 Glentoran
2003–04 4 February 2004 County Antrim Shield Semi-final The Oval Glentoran
0 – 1
 Linfield
6 March 2004 Irish Cup Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 1
 Glentoran
2004–05 9 November 2004 Irish League Cup Final Windsor Park Glentoran
2 – 1 (aet)
 Linfield 6,000
12 February 2005 Irish Cup Sixth Round The Oval Glentoran
1 – 1
 Linfield
15 February 2005 Sixth Round replay Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 3
 Glentoran
19 April 2005 Setanta Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 2
 Glentoran
17 May 2005 The Oval Glentoran
2 – 4
 Linfield
2005–06 10 December 2005 Irish League Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 0
 Glentoran 6,845
24 January 2006 County Antrim Shield Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 0
 Glentoran
28 February 2006 Setanta Sports Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
3 – 3
 Linfield
3 April 2006 Windsor Park Linfield
6 – 0
 Glentoran
6 May 2006 Irish Cup Final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1
 Glentoran 12,500
2006–07 6 November 2006 Irish League Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
0 – 0 (3 – 4 pens)
 Glentoran
4 March 2007 Setanta Sports Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 1
 Glentoran
16 April 2007 The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2
 Linfield
2007–08 7 April 2008 Setanta Sports Cup Group stage The Oval Glentoran
1 – 3
 Linfield
2008–09 15 September 2008 Setanta Sports Cup Group stage Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 4
 Glentoran
2009–10 20 September 2009 County Antrim Shield Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2
 Linfield
5 December 2009 Irish League Cup Quarter-final 1st leg The Oval Glentoran
0 – 1
 Linfield
15 December 2009 Quarter-final 2nd leg Windsor Park Linfield
1 – 2
 Glentoran
6 March 2010 Irish Cup Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
1 – 3
 Linfield
2010–11 30 November 2010 County Antrim Shield Final Windsor Park Glentoran
3 – 1
 Linfield
9 April 2011 Irish Cup Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 0
 Glentoran
2012–13 1 October 2012 County Antrim Shield Quarter-final The Oval Glentoran
2 – 3
 Linfield
2013–14 8 October 2013 NI Football League Cup Third round The Oval Glentoran
0 – 0 (2 – 4 pens)
 Linfield
2016–17 7 January 2017 Irish Cup Fifth Round The Oval Glentoran
1 – 2 (aet)
 Linfield
2017–18 10 May 2018 Europa League play-offs Semi-final Windsor Park Linfield
3 – 4
 Glentoran
2018–19 23 October 2018 County Antrim Shield Quarter-final Windsor Park Linfield
2 – 1 (aet)
 Glentoran
  • 1 Match ended early after Glentoran players refused to continue claiming a Linfield player punched a shot clear from the goal-line and no penalty had been awarded

References[]

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  2. ^ a b "The world's deadliest derbies: Newcastle v Sunderland, Aston Villa v Birmingham, Ajax v Feyenoord, Partizan v Red Star Belgrade, Rangers v Celtic, Roma v Lazio and more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
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  7. ^ Armstrong, Gary (1995). Fear and Loathing in World Football. Berg. p. 46. ISBN 1-85973-463-4.
  8. ^ McKay, Jim; Messner, Michael A.; Donald F., Sabo (2000). Masculinities, gender relations, and sport. SAGE. p. 185. ISBN 0-7619-1272-X.
  9. ^ Brodie, Malcolm (1990). Irish Football League 1890–1990: Official Centenary History. Better World Books. ISBN 0951640313.
  10. ^ "Glentoran Football Club - The Pride of East Belfast - History".
  11. ^ Sugden, John (2001). Sport, Sectarianism and Society. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 84. ISBN 0-7185-0018-0.
  12. ^ "Crowd trouble mars Belfast derby". 23 April 2005.
  13. ^ "Handover order on Oval riot tapes". 19 May 2005.
  14. ^ "The IFA and Linfield to agree 51-year Windsor Park deal". BBC Sport. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  15. ^ "LINFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - Financial Statement" (PDF). Linfield F.C. 28 March 2019. p. 10. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  16. ^ "RSSF". rssf.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  17. ^ "PDF Downloads".
  18. ^ "NI Football League". Northern Ireland Football League. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
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