As Linfield FC continues to prepare for a huge Premiership game at Solitude on Saturday evening, Linfieldfc.com recalls a momentous win at the famous North Belfast venue on this April 4 date exactly 52 years ago today.
It was to be the last time Linfield played at Solitude for many years and the grand son (Jordan Stewart) of the goal scorer in this famous game was on the scoresheet with a vital goal in Linfield’s most recent game in Warrenpoint.
On this significant 52nd anniversary date Linfieldfc.com reflects on one of the great games from yesteryear by looking back on a memorable Irish Cup success in which two Phil Scott goals won the Cup for Linfield in 1970.
The first version of this article was first published on this website on April 29, 2016.
The Games that made our History
Linfield v Ballymena, Irish Cup Final, April 4, 1970
There was a crowd of 12,000 at Solitude for this Irish Cup Final. Fleming scored an early goal for Ballymena but Linfield's opponents seemed to sit back on this lead and Phil Scott equalised for Linfield before the interval and then grabbed the second half winner to bring the Cup back to Windsor Park.
Several years ago the late Phil Scott spoke to Linfieldfc.com about his memories of this game and the inside forward who scored 220 goals in 400 Linfield games recalled as follows :
"In the Irish Cup final against Ballymena they scored first and I equalised in the first half. Then in the second half Bryan Hamilton took a corner and I headed it in. It was a sort of diving header into the net. After that, all I remember was the final whistle. That was the first Cup winners medal I got. I’d played in three Cup finals and was beaten in all three. So that was a very special game for me, as that was the medal I was really after to complete my collection. The game was at Solitude and the place was jam packed. That was the last time Linfield played at Solitude for just under 30 years or so because there was trouble in the surrounding area after the game. The Troubles had only just started and the trouble that day finished Linfield off from going back there for a very long time. However, for me personally it’s great to be in the history books as the player who scored the goals to bring the Cup back to Windsor. It’s one of those days and one of those achievements you always remember. Any Linfield supporter from that era will always come up to me and tell me how they remember how my goals won the Cup for Linfield that day. It’s something that seems to stick in other people’s minds, not just my own."
In a newspaper feature to coincide with the club's 125 year anniversary in 2011 Phil Scott was named in the top 25 of the all-time greatest Linfield players and he was awarded honorary life membership of the club he served with great distinction, shortly before his sad passing almost 8 years ago.
That 1970 Irish Cup final success at Solitude was to be Linfield's last win in an Irish Cup tie at the famous North Belfast venue until March 5, 2016, when Linfield defeated Cliftonville 3-0 in a quarter final tie on the road to that season's cup final.
Another interesting point about this cup final was that it was the first Irish Cup final with substitutes. Lockhart was an unused sub for Linfield while Nicholl filled the sub's role for United.
Linfield's reward for this cup success was a place in the following season's European Cup Winners Cup. The Blues landed a plum draw against the reigning holders in Manchester City, with Linfield losing 1-0 at Maine Road, before winning the second leg 2-1 at Windsor Park and unfortunately being eliminated on the away goals rule.
Two years ago the club had hoped to have a 50th anniversary commemoration of this momentous Manchester City occasion at the crowne plaza but the pandemic put paid to those plans.
The Linfield team line-up in the Phil Scott 1970 Irish Cup final was : Stewart, Gilliland, Patterson, Andrews, Hatton, Bowyer, Violett, Hamilton, Millen, Scott and Pavis.
As well as Phil Scott, there were a number of other great players in Linfield's proud history in that team line-up. There were Seven Trophy legends in Ken Gilliland (who sadly passed away 2 years ago), Sammy Hatton and Isaac Andrews. Jackie Patterson's Cup winners' medal from that game was sadly stolen in a burglary 7 years ago and to date, despite several appeals on Linfieldfc.com, has not been returned to its rightful and proud owner. However, 2 years ago Linfield FC was able to present him with a replica. Eric Bowyer went on to become Linfield captain and manager and just over 6 years ago, honorary life member of Linfield FC. Most recently he was appointed a club ambassador. Dennis Violett was the Manchester United star and survivor of the Munich air disaster who Several years ago was featured in a film about his life and career. Bryan Hamilton went on to play for and manage Northern Ireland and he enjoyed a successful career with Everton and Ipswich Town. Billy Millen, who sadly passed away 2 years ago in Australia, achieved fame by scoring both goals in the Windsor Park 2-1 win against the huge giants of Manchester City and Sammy Pavis was a prolific Linfield forward whose goals "saved us" on many occasions. Several years ago Sammy received the prestigious Torrans Trophy and Honorary Life membership of Linfield Football Club and he sadly passed away 3 years ago.
Recalling the occasion, Linfield ambassador Eric Bowyer commented
“I have so many fond memories of that day. I can recall Phil’s equaliser as if it were yesterday. Solitude was packed and the goal was at the end where Linfield supporters assemble nowadays. That day there were Bluemen everywhere. For many of us, it was our only Irish Cup winners medal - including Bryan, Jackie, Billy and 2 of the Sammys (Stewart and Pavis). It was also the only cup winners medal Denis won at senior level, including with Man United.”
Linfield FC recalls with great affection the enormous contribution these legendary players of this particular era made to the overall success of this club.
Phil Scott’s name will always be associated with the Cup glory of 1970 because of his 2 goals that won the cup for Linfield and our supporters will no doubt fondly remember the enormous contribution he and his team mates provided through this famous and memorable Irish Cup success from yesteryear.
Audaces Fortuna Juvat
