Noel Bailie

Name: Noel Bailie MBE
Born: 23 February 1971, Lisburn
Height: 5.09 ft Weight: 12.03 st
Position: Defender/Midfielder

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 1 Under-23 Cap (1990), 2 Under-21 Caps (1990-1994), Under-18, Under-18 Schools, Under-16; Irish League: 2 Caps (1990-1995).
Club Honours: (with Linfield) Irish League Champion 1992/93, 1993/94, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11; Irish Cup Winner 1993/94, 1994/95, 2001/02, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, Runner-Up 1991/92, 2000/01; Irish League Cup Winner 1991/92, 1993/94, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2005/06; Gold Cup Winner 1989/90, 1996/97; Ulster Cup Winner 1992/93; Floodlit Cup Winner 1993/94, 1997/98; Co. Antrim Shield Winner 1994/95, 1997/98, 2000/01, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06; Setanta Cup Winner 2004/05; Charity Shield Winner 1993 (shared), 1994, 2000.
Awards: Ulster Footballer of the Year 1994; NI Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year 1994; MBE June 2013.

Club Career:
Hillsborough Boys Club; Linfield 1988/89-2010/11.

Biography:

After over a thousand appearances for his only senior club, Noel Bailie announced his retirement for the end of the 2010/11 season.

"I suppose if I had one regret it would be that I didn't get the chance to play for Northern Ireland. That would be my biggest regret - that when I was at my prime, whenever that would have been, I didn't get the chance to play for my country. I'd have loved to have pulled on the green jersey. However, I have to be grateful because I managed to achieve a lot in Irish League football. I'll be sad when the time comes to retire after the last match when it comes along and hopefully that will be another Irish Cup final. I don't have too many regrets but I will be sad that I won't get to set foot out on that pitch any more."

His career was rounded off with a tenth Irish League title, equalling Bob Milne's century old record.

𝗡𝗼𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲 Born on 23 February 1971, Noel began his playing career at Hillsborough Boys' Club and also played for...

Posted by Irish Football Memories on Monday, 11 January 2021