Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 1st July 2023
I want to wish Niall Quinn every success in today's Testimonial game against our welcome guests, St. Mirren FC.
I hope our supporters turn out in large numbers to show their appreciation to a loyal and dependable stalwart for all his many years of sterling and distinguished service to this club.
Niall, who made his first team debut in 2012, richly deserved the award of a Testimonial season and I have been pleased to hear that his committee's various fundraising events and efforts have all been successful.
In 364 first team appearances, Niall never let this club down and it's fitting that his 29th and final goal for the club - a late strike to seal a 1-0 win in Coleraine - should go a long way to help secure second place and an automatic qualifying place for the upcoming season's UEFA Conference League.
Niall has earned numerous winners' medals during his playing career at this club and he has always been a model professional.
Having graduated through this club's Academy, he is a superb role model to the young players who will aspire to follow in his footsteps from the Academy through to our first team squad.
He possesses the determination and will to win required of a successful Linfield player and I want to thank him for the significant contribution he made to the triumphs we have enjoyed over the years at this club.
It will be strange seeing Niall in a slightly lighter shade of blue next season but I want to wish him every success with his new challenge with Glenavon. He will always be welcome back at Windsor Park and he leaves us with the very best wishes of everyone at the club.
It's an important game for us today, as we continue preparations for our upcoming UEFA Conference League first round tie against KF Vllaznia of Albania, so I want to thank Stephen Robinson and St Mirren FC for visiting us, to help us pay tribute to Niall and build up to a huge European challenge ahead.