North Belfast derby

The North Belfast derby is the name given to association football matches between Cliftonville and Crusaders who play in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The two are separated by around 1.5 miles with Cliftonville based at Solitude on Cliftonville Road and Crusaders at Seaview on the Shore Road.

North Belfast derby
LocationBelfast, Northern Ireland
TeamsCliftonville
Crusaders
First meetingCliftonville 1–0 Crusaders
County Antrim Shield
(13 January 1923)
Latest meetingCrusaders 0–3 Cliftonville
NIFL Premiership
(18 September 2023)
Next meeting25 November 2023
NIFL Premiership
StadiumsSolitude (Cliftonville)
Seaview (Crusaders)
Statistics
Meetings total311
Most winsCrusaders (156)
Top scorerJordan Owens (26)
All-time seriesCrusaders – 156
Cliftonville – 88
Draws – 67
Largest victoryCrusaders 8–0 Cliftonville
1972 City Cup
(4 November 1972)

The rivalry between the two clubs began in 1949 with Crusaders' ascension to senior football. For the majority of years the rivalry was simply competitive and geographical. The rivalry was heightened during The Troubles, and as the religious and political demographics within Belfast changed, Cliftonville began to develop a mainly nationalist following and Crusaders a unionist following. While there have been unsavoury incidents in the past between the clubs and the rivalry is fierce and intense on the pitch, off the pitch they have developed a strong cross-community relationship in recent years.

The two sides have met each other on over 300 occasions, and have met in three national cup finals (the 2009 Irish Cup final, 2013 League Cup final and 2014 League Cup final) and one regional cup final (the 1979 County Antrim Shield final). The two sides have also won twelve league titles between them, five of these wins coming in six seasons; Cliftonville winning in 2012–13 and 2013–14, and Crusaders winning in 2014–15, 2015–16 and 2017–18.

Both clubs also share rivalries with the Belfast 'Big Two' of Glentoran and Linfield, but the success disparity between the pairs of clubs has seen two distinct rivalries formed.

History

Founded in 1879, Cliftonville are Ireland's oldest football team, and along with Distillery, Glentoran and Linfield were founder members of the Irish League, and are one of three teams never to have been relegated and to have competed in every top-flight season (along with Glentoran and Linfield). Although a major force in the first 20 years of Irish football their strict amateur status (not dropped until the early 1970s) meant they were also-rans for long periods once professionalism took hold. Once professional they added a cup win in 1979 and a league title in late 1990s.

Location of Solitude (left) and Seaview in North Belfast

Founded in 1898, Crusaders applied unsuccessfully for many years to join the Irish League and became one of the top junior sides in the country, but it was not until 1949-50 season following the resignation of Belfast Celtic they finally entered the league. They endured a tough start but became a major side during the 1960s, winning two Irish Cups, and also having successful spells in the 1970s and 1990s, winning two league titles in each decade.

The first match between the two clubs took place on 13 January 1923 in the first round of the County Antrim Shield at Solitude; this was also Crusaders first ever match in senior competition. The senior side of Cliftonville was too good for the intermediate Crusaders team, with the Reds recording a 1-0 victory. The first game between the two sides as senior teams took place in the Ulster Cup on 17 September 1949, finishing in a 2-2 draw at Solitude. The first league match and Boxing Day derby took place on 26 December 1949, with Cliftonville emerging victorious with a 5-0 victory at Seaview. In 1979 at the height of The Troubles, there were more than 1,900 police officers on duty for the Ulster Cup match on 21 September between Crusaders and Cliftonville at Seaview, more than has ever been recorded at a football match in the United Kingdom.[1][2]

The sides first played each other in a cup final in 1978-79, with Cliftonville winning the County Antrim Shield in a penalty shoot-out, but with Glentoran and Linfield dominating Northern Irish football the sides did not reach a national cup final together until the 2008-09 season when they met in the final of the 2008–09 Irish Cup. Crusaders won the match 1–0 in front of 7,500 fans at Windsor Park. It would be not long before the two met again in a cup final as in the 2012-13 season with the sides first and second in the league table they played each other in the final of the 2012–13 Irish League Cup with Cliftonville emphatically winning 4–0 at Windsor Park. The following season they played again the League Cup Final but this time in a more cagey affair. Finishing 0–0 after extra time Cliftonville retained the cup with a 3–2 win on penalties.

A fixture during the 2012-13 season came to national media attention after a game was cancelled due to a Loyalist flag protest. Going into the fixture on 16 February 2013 Cliftonville led the Irish Premier League with a twelve-point lead, Crusaders in second had a game in hand and hoped a win over their rivals could see them falter. A small group of 20 flag protesters turned up half an hour before kick off and engaged in skirmishes with police. Around 2000 fans were in attendance but many supporters were unable to enter due to the protesters outside the turnstiles. The decision was made to cancel the game with condemnation of the protesters tactics and police's handling of the situation. Due to fixture congestion it was not rearranged until 22 April by which time Cliftonville had long won the title. Despite praise for both clubs during the incident further controversy emerged for the rearranged fixture when Crusaders on advice of the police only offered 200 tickets for away supporters (around 800 would be normal). Cliftonville fans issued a boycott of fixture (seven tickets were purchased, presumably to ticket stub collectors) leaving a completely empty away stand and total attendance of just 395.

In September 2018 the derby was chosen to be the first live NIFL Premiership match to be shown on BBC Two Northern Ireland, a part of a three year deal between BBC Sport NI, the Irish Football Association and Northern Ireland Football League.[3]

Supporters

In the early to mid 20th century Cliftonville's support was less polarised and they were seen as a cross community team in comparison to Crusaders, who had traditionally been regarded as a Unionist club. During the Troubles the Cliftonville support came to be regarded as a nationalist club due to their location along the Cliftonville Road. With road blocks and cross community violence meaning that many away supporters no longer felt safe venturing to Solitude or Seaview. However, in recent years, with the streets safer than before, many supporters of both away teams choose to walk to their opponent's ground, given the close proximity of the grounds and the fact that both teams have largely local supports.[4]

Despite the community differences the rivalry between supporters is fairly amicable and brings financial benefits to both clubs. A sell out league fixture can bring in an income of £30,000. As is the tradition with many other derbies in the Irish League, each season a fixture is played on Boxing Day, unless this day falls on a Sunday.

Head-to-head

In results between the two teams, Crusaders have 155 victories to Cliftonville's 88. Crusaders have won more games in the league, County Antrim Shield, Ulster Cup and the City Cup, whereas Cliftonville have won more head-to heads in the Irish Cup, League Cup, Setanta Sports Cup, Gold Cup and Belfast Charity Cup. It should also be noted that Cliftonville's amateur status meant that they were rarely competitive until the early 1970s, losing most of their games and finishing bottom of the table on several occasions.

By competition
As of 18 September 2023
Outcome League Irish Cup League Cup Setanta
Sports Cup		 County Antrim
Shield		 Gold Cup Ulster Cup City Cup Charity Cup Playoffs Total
Crusaders win9742093281120156
Cliftonville win49582661100188
Draw46110031060067
Total fixtures192101121512392721311
  • Ulster Cup was renamed Festival of Britain Cup in 1952, so results are included in Ulster Cup total
  • All games that went to penalty shoot-outs counted as wins/losses

By venue
As of 18 September 2023
Outcome Seaview Solitude Windsor Park The Oval Total
Crusaders win846732156
Cliftonville win34473488
Draw35320067
Total fixtures15314666311
  • All games that went to penalty shoot-outs counted as wins/losses

Clubs' honours

Overall

In total, Cliftonville have won 47 senior honours to Crusaders' 32. Crusaders did not become a senior side until after World War II, and thus the only senior competitions they could enter from 1898 to 1949 were the Irish Cup (by invitation, having won the Irish Intermediate Cup or Intermediate League the season before) or the County Antrim Shield (again by invitation).

While Crusaders suffered relegation to intermediate football in 2005 for one season, Cliftonville have never lost senior status and have competed in every top-flight season since 1890.

Competition League titles Irish Cup League Cup County Antrim Shield Charity Shield Setanta Sports Cup Gold Cup Ulster Cup Floodlit Cup Others1 Total
Cliftonville5*8611203011147
Crusaders762821230132
Combined Total12*14819415311279
  • 1 Includes other defunct senior trophies such as Belfast Charities Cup, Alhambra Cup, and Carlsberg Cup
  • (*) Includes 1 shared league title

1949 to present

Since 1949 (when both teams commenced competing at the same level), Crusaders have won 32 honours to Cliftonville's 20.

Competition League titles Irish Cup League Cup County Antrim Shield Charity Shield Setanta Sports Cup Gold Cup Ulster Cup Floodlit Cup Carlsberg Cup Total
Crusaders762821230132
Cliftonville316720101020
Combined Total10781541331152

Results

All time results taken from Irish Football Club Project, British Newspaper Archive, and various other sources.[5][6][7][8] Attendance figures from ifapremiership.com [9]

Key

Cliftonville win
Crusaders win
Draw

League

Since 1949, the two sides have played each other in the domestic league at least twice every season, except for the 2005–06 season.

Cliftonville vs Crusaders Crusaders vs Cliftonville
Season Division Date Venue Score Attendance Date Venue Score Attendance
1949–50 Irish League 18 March 1950 Solitude 2–7 26 December 1949 Seaview 0–5
1950–51 Irish League 25 November 1950 Solitude 3–2 3 February 1951 Seaview 4–4
1951–52 Irish League 22 March 1952 Solitude 2–1 25 December 1951 Seaview 1–0
1952–53 Irish League 24 December 1952 Solitude 3–1 11 April 1953 Seaview 4–2
1953–54 Irish League 23 January 1954 Solitude 2–3 25 December 1953 Seaview 4–0
1954–55 Irish League 24 December 1954 Solitude 0–1 19 March 1955 Seaview 1–4
1955–56 Irish League 17 March 1955 Solitude 1–1 26 December 1955 Seaview 1–1
1956–57 Irish League 17 November 1956 Solitude 0–2 19 January 1957 Seaview 4–1
1957–58 Irish League 18 January 1958 Solitude 4–3 19 April 1958 Seaview 4–2
1958–59 Irish League 27 December 1958 Solitude 1–3 30 March 1959 Seaview 3–0
1959–60 Irish League 19 April 1960 Solitude 0–1 2 January 1960 Seaview 4–1
1960–61 Irish League 3 December 1960 Solitude 3–1 15 April 1961 Seaview 2–1
1961–62 Irish League 7 April 1962 Solitude 1–2 16 December 1961 Seaview 6–0
1962–63 Irish League 19 January 1962 Solitude 1–5 16 April 1963 Seaview 3–2
1963–64 Irish League 14 December 1963 Solitude 2–1 31 March 1964 Seaview 4–0
1964–65 Irish League 24 December 1964 Solitude 0–3 30 January 1965 Seaview 5–0
1965–66 Irish League 27 November 1965 Solitude 0–4 5 February 1966 Seaview 7–1
1966–67 Irish League 17 December 1966 Solitude 0–0 24 September 1966 Seaview 3–2
1967–68 Irish League 28 October 1967 Solitude 1–3 30 December 1967 Seaview 6–2
1968–69 Irish League 19 October 1968 Solitude 1–3 26 December 1968 Seaview 2–2
1969–70 Irish League 8 November 1969 Solitude 0–2 17 January 1970 Seaview 8–3
1970–71 Irish League 6 March 1971 Solitude 0–2 12 December 1970 Seaview 4–1
1971–72 Irish League 11 December 1971 Solitude 0–1 4 March 1972 Seaview 3–0
1972–73 Irish League 12 April 1973 Solitude 0–1 25 November 1972 Seaview 3–0
1973–74 Irish League 3 November 1973 Solitude 2–1 20 April 1974 Seaview 2–0
1974–75 Irish League 21 December 1974 Solitude 0–4 8 March 1975 Seaview 6–1
1975–76 Irish League 22 November 1975 Solitude 0–2 24 January 1976 Seaview 4–1
1976–77 Irish League 29 January 1977 Solitude 0–3 20 November 1976 Seaview 6–2
1977–78 Irish League 26 November 1977 Solitude 1–0 28 January 1978 Seaview 2–2
1978–79 Irish League 10 February 1979 Solitude 1–0 25 November 1978 Seaview 2–2
1979–80 Irish League 10 November 1979 Solitude 1–0 9 February 1980 Seaview 1–0
1980–81 Irish League 7 February 1981 Solitude 0–0 29 November 1980 Seaview 1–0
1981–82 Irish League 2 January 1982 Solitude 1–2 10 April 1982 Seaview 1–01
1982–83 Irish League 9 April 1983 Solitude 1–0 3 January 1983 Seaview 2–1
1983–84 Irish League 22 February 1984 Solitude 0–1 21 January 1984 Seaview 1–4
1984–85 Irish League 12 January 1985 Solitude 0–0 26 January 1985 Seaview 3–2
1985–86 Irish League 29 April 1986 Solitude 2–1 15 January 1986 Seaview 2–1
1986–87 Irish League 11 October 1986 Solitude 2–1 3 January 1987 Seaview 3–2
1987–88 Irish League 5 March 1988 Solitude 0–0 19 December 1987 Seaview 2–0
1988–89 Irish League 10 December 1988 Solitude 1–0 4 March 1989 Seaview 1–2
1989–90 Irish League 26 December 1989 Solitude 2–2 18 April 1990 Seaview 1–1
1990–91 Irish League 17 November 1990 Solitude 3–1 16 March 1991 Seaview 1–1
1991–92 Irish League 29 February 1992 Solitude 2–2 16 November 1991 Seaview 5–1
1992–93 Irish League 24 October 1992 Solitude 1–2 30 January 1993 Seaview 1–2
1993–94 Irish League 27 December 1993 Solitude 2–1 30 April 1994 Seaview 1–1
1994–95 Irish League 29 April 1995 Solitude 2–2 26 December 1994 Seaview 1–0
1995–96 Irish League 26 December 1995 Solitude 1–4 4 November 1995 Seaview 1–0
20 April 1996 Solitude 2–1 17 February 1996 Seaview 1–1
1996–97 Irish League 26 October 1996 Solitude 1–1 10 December 1996 Seaview 2–1
1 February 1997 Solitude 0–2 1 April 1997 Seaview 3–0
1997–98 Irish League 30 August 1997 Solitude 2–2 1 November 1997 Seaview 2–2
10 February 1998 Solitude 0–1 7 March 1998 Seaview 0–2
1998–99 Irish League 14 November 1998 Solitude 2–3 5 September 1998 Seaview 2–1
6 March 1998 Solitude 1–1 26 December 1998 Seaview 1–0
1999–00 Irish League 30 October 1999 Solitude 1–1 31 August 1999 Seaview 1–1
27 December 1999 Solitude 1–1 18 March 2000 Seaview 1–1
2000–01 Irish League 28 October 2000 Solitude 1–1 26 August 2000 Seaview 0–4
20 March 2001 Solitude 0–3 26 December 2000 Seaview 1–2
2001–02 Irish League 26 December 2001 Solitude 1–1 31 August 2001 Seaview 0–2
16 March 2002 Solitude 3–0 27 October 2001 Seaview 1–3
2002–03 Irish League 12 October 2002 Solitude 0–1 26 December 2002 Seaview 0–0
22 March 2003 Solitude 0–1 22 April 2003 Seaview 1–0
2003–04 Irish Premier League 26 December 2003 Solitude 0–1 24 April 2004 Seaview 0–0
2004–05 Irish Premier League 23 April 2005 Solitude 1–0 27 December 2004 Seaview 0–2
2006–07 Irish Premier League 26 December 2006 Solitude 4–2 14 April 2007 Seaview 1–2
2007–08 Irish Premier League 22 April 2008 Solitude 0–1 26 December 2007 Seaview 1–1
2008–09 IFA Premiership 26 December 2008 Solitude 1–1 1,426 4 October 2008 Seaview 3–1 820
25 April 2009 Solitude 0–0 782 14 March 2009 Seaview 4–2 685
2009–10 IFA Premiership 17 October 2009 Solitude 1–2 938 18 August 2009 Seaview 2–3 765
8 April 2010 Solitude 1–0 902 26 December 2009 Seaview 1–2 2,105
2010–11 IFA Premiership 27 December 2010 Solitude 2–1 1,644 27 August 2010 Seaview 1–3 1,352
26 April 2011 Solitude 3–0 719 19 March 2011 Seaview 5–0 1,134
2011–12 IFA Premiership 22 October 2011 Solitude 2–1 954 17 September 2011 Seaview 2–2 817
14 April 2012 Solitude 1–1 732 26 December 2011 Seaview 3–2 2,457
2012–13 IFA Premiership 26 December 2012 Solitude 1–0 2,883 13 October 2012 Seaview 3–1 2,079
2 April 2013 Solitude 3–1 2,221 22 April 2013 Seaview 3–0 395
2013–14 NIFL Premiership 5 October 2013 Solitude 0–2 1,577 26 December 2013 Seaview 1–1 2,129
15 February 2014 Solitude 4–0 1,584 26 April 2014 Solitude[10] 2–3 2,687
2014–15 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2014 Solitude 0–1 3,019 4 October 2014 Seaview 0–1 1,611
11 April 2015 Solitude 0–1 1,532 15 November 2014 Seaview 4–1 2,039
2015–16 NIFL Premiership 5 September 2015 Solitude 0–1 1,883 26 December 2015 Seaview 2–2 2,784
19 April 2016 Solitude 1–3 1,584 20 February 2016 Seaview 1–0 1,975
2016–17 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2016 Solitude 0–4 3,109 1 October 2016 Seaview 4–3 1,789
15 April 2017 Solitude 2–3 1,612 21 January 2017 Seaview 1–0 1,702
2017–18 NIFL Premiership 26 August 2017 Solitude 1–2 1,417 26 December 2017 Seaview 2–0 3,018
10 March 2018 Solitude 3–1 1,573 21 April 2018 Seaview 1–1 1,683
2018–19 NIFL Premiership 26 December 2018 Solitude 1–5 2,336 6 October 2018 Seaview 3–2 1,571
20 April 2019 Solitude 2–0 1,361 16 March 2019 Seaview 2–0 1,168
2019–20 NIFL Premiership 17 August 2019 Solitude 0–2 1,376 26 December 2019 Seaview 1–2 2,824
3 March 2020 Seaview 0–0 1,359
2020–21 NIFL Premiership 9 January 2021 Solitude 2–2 0 23 October 2020 Seaview 1–0 323
25 May 2021 Solitude 1–1 500 10 April 2021 Seaview 2–2 0
2021–22 NIFL Premiership 4 January 2022 Solitude 0–2 2,305 11 September 2021 Seaview 1–1 1,945
26 February 2022 Solitude 3–1 2,035 23 April 2022 Seaview 3–3 2,649
2022–23 NIFL Premiership 7 October 2022 Solitude 0–0 2,046 26 December 2022 Seaview 3–0 3,056
22 April 2023 Solitude 3–3 1,584 13 March 2023 Seaview 2–2 2,188
2023-24 NIFL Premiership 25 November 2023 Solitude 18 September 2023 Seaview 0–3
26 December 2023 Solitude Seaview
  • 1 Initial game on 2 January abandoned at 1–1

Irish Cup

The Irish Cup saw the teams meet in a national cup final for the first time ever in 2009.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1926–275 February 1927Semi-finalThe OvalCrusaders2–4Cliftonville
1970–7113 February 1971First roundSeaviewCrusaders3–1Cliftonville
1990–9116 February 1991Sixth roundSolitudeCliftonville0–0Crusaders
20 February 1991Sixth round replaySeaviewCrusaders3–2Cliftonville
1996–9715 March 1997Quarter-finalSolitudeCliftonville3–1Crusaders
2007–089 February 2008Sixth roundSolitudeCliftonville1–0Crusaders
2008–099 May 2009FinalWindsor ParkCliftonville *0–1Crusaders7,500
2012–136 April 2013Semi-finalThe OvalCrusaders *0–2Cliftonville1,700
2017–183 February 2018Sixth roundSolitudeCliftonville4–1Crusaders1,900
2021–221 April 2022Semi-finalWindsor ParkCliftonville *1–2Crusaders
  • * Final, Semi-final played at/as a neutral venue, nominated as home side

League Cup

The Northern Ireland Football League Cup was established in 1986, with the first meeting between the sides coming in 1995, and the most recent in the 2014 final.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1994–9513 April 1995Semi-finalWindsor ParkCliftonville2–0Crusaders
1995–9629 August 1995Quarter-finalSolitudeCliftonville0–0 (0–3 pens)Crusaders
1998–992 March 1999Quarter-finalSeaviewCrusaders1–2 (aet)Cliftonville
2001–029 October 2001Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–0Cliftonville
2002–0324 September 2002Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–1Crusaders
2003–0415 October 2003Semi-finalThe OvalCliftonville1–1 (4–1 pens)Crusaders
2006–078 November 2006Semi-finalThe OvalCliftonville1–0Crusaders
2007–0818 August 2007Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–4Cliftonville
1 September 2007Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–0Crusaders
2012–1326 January 2013FinalWindsor ParkCliftonville *4–0Crusaders4,948
2013–1425 January 2014FinalSolitudeCliftonville *0–0 (3–2 pens)Crusaders4,300
  • * Final, Semi-final played at/as a neutral venue, nominated as home side

County Antrim Shield

The County Antrim Shield is a regional competition open to senior and intermediate clubs. Established in 1888, the tournament saw the first ever meeting between the sides in 1923, and the most recent meeting came in the quarter-finals in 2018.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1922–2313 January 1923First roundSolitudeCliftonville1–0Crusaders
1953–546 March 1954Quarter-finalSolitudeCliftonville0–4Crusaders
1970–7124 March 1971Quarter-finalSeaviewCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
1973–746 May 1974Quarter-finalSeaviewCrusaders3–0Cliftonville
1975–7613 April 1976First roundSolitudeCliftonville1–4Crusaders
1978–7914 May 1979FinalSeaviewCrusaders0–0 (1–3 pens)Cliftonville
1983–8426 April 1984Semi-finalWindsor ParkCrusaders3–2Cliftonville
1992–9316 December 1992Quarter-finalSeaviewCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
1996–9714 January 1997Semi-finalWindsor ParkCliftonville2–1Crusaders
1998–991 December 1998First roundSolitudeCliftonville2–0Crusaders
2000–0113 December 2000Quarter-finalSeaviewCrusaders0–3Cliftonville
2001–0211 December 2001Quarter-finalSeaview1Cliftonville2–0Crusaders
2004–052 February 2005Semi-finalThe OvalCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
2017–1830 October 2017Quarter-finalSolitudeCliftonville2–3Crusaders
2018–1923 October 2018Quarter-finalSeaviewCrusaders4–3 (aet)Cliftonville
  • 1 Cliftonville nominated as home side but game took place at Seaview

European playoffs

The two sides met each other for the first time in the NIFL Premiership European playoffs for a place in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
2020–211 June 2021Play-off semi-finalSolitudeCliftonville0–0 (5–4 pens)Crusaders

Setanta Cup

The Setanta Sports Cup was a cross-border competition open to clubs from all over Ireland, following on from previous competitions such as the Dublin and Belfast Inter-City Cup, North-South Cup, Blaxnit Cup, Texaco Cup, Tyler Cup and Irish News Cup. Having never played each other in any of these competitions, the Setanta Cup saw the only meeting of the two sides in all-Ireland competition in 2011. Established in 2005, the Setanta Cup was last played in 2014.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
2010–1114 March 2011Quarter-final 1st legSolitudeCliftonville4–2Crusaders581
21 March 2011Quarter-final 2nd legSeaviewCrusaders4–6Cliftonville527

Gold Cup

The Gold Cup was a competition which was previously open to senior clubs from 1911 to 2001. The two sides first met in this competition in 1962 with the final meeting coming in 1987.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1962–6311 September 1962Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–4Cliftonville
1976–7716 October 1976Group StageSeaviewCrusaders0–3Cliftonville
1977–7822 October 1977Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–1Crusaders
1978–7928 October 1978Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–1Cliftonville
1979–8010 November 1979Group StageSolitudeCliftonville3–1Crusaders
1980–818 November 1980Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–1Cliftonville
1981–827 November 1981Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–1Crusaders
1982–8331 August 1982Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–1Cliftonville
1983–8426 August 1983Group StageSeaviewCrusaders0–3Cliftonville
1984–8525 August 1984Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–3Crusaders
1985–8612 October 1985Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–1Cliftonville
1986–877 March 1987Group StageSeaviewCrusaders0–1Cliftonville

Ulster Cup

The Ulster Cup was also a competition which was open to senior clubs from 1949 to 1997. Like the City Cup, the Ulster Cup was an annual fixture until the early 1980s (sometimes twice a season) when it was split into groups. Traditionally the opening competition of the season, this cup saw the first senior meeting of the clubs in 1949, with the last meeting between the two coming in 1997.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1949–5017 September 1949Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–2Crusaders
1950–5128 August 1950Group StageSeaviewCrusaders0–1Cliftonville
1951–52*13 September 1951Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–2Cliftonville
24 September 1951Group StageSeaviewCrusaders4–2Cliftonville
1952–5316 August 1952Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–2Cliftonville
6 September 1952Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–2Crusaders
1953–5415 August 1953Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–3Crusaders
14 September 1953Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
1954–5525 August 1954Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–5Crusaders
1955–5624 August 1955Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–1Cliftonville
1956–5715 September 1956Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–1Cliftonville
1957–5820 August 1957Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–1Cliftonville
1958–5920 August 1958Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–2Crusaders
1959–6019 August 1959Group StageSeaviewCrusaders4–0Cliftonville
1960–6124 August 1960Group StageSeaviewCrusaders5–2Cliftonville
1961–6222 August 1961Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
1962–6321 August 1962Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–5Crusaders
1963–6421 August 1963Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–0Cliftonville
1964–6526 August 1964Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–3Crusaders
1965–6610 August 1965Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–2Cliftonville
1966–6710 August 1966Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–4Crusaders
1967–6825 August 1967Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–2Cliftonville
1968–693 August 1968Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–3Crusaders
1969–7013 August 1969Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–0Cliftonville
1970–7118 August 1970Group StageSolitudeCliftonville0–2Crusaders
1971–7228 September 1971Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–2Cliftonville
1972–7322 August 1972Group StageSolitudeCliftonville0–1Crusaders
1973–7421 August 1973Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–1Cliftonville
1974–7520 August 1974Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–1Crusaders
1975–7619 August 1975Group StageSolitude1Crusaders3–1Cliftonville
1976–7725 September 1976Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–0Cliftonville
1977–7824 September 1977Group StageSolitudeCliftonville0–2Crusaders
1978–7923 September 1978Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–1Cliftonville
1979–8021 August 1979Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–1Cliftonville
1980–8119 August 1980Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–3Crusaders
1981–8219 September 1981Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–1Crusaders
1982–8330 October 1982Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
1994–9513 August 1994Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–0Cliftonville
1996–974 September 1996Semi-finalThe OvalCliftonville0–4Crusaders
  • * Tournament was renamed Festival of Britain Cup for one season
  • 1 Crusaders originally drawn at home, tie switched to Solitude to allow Seaview pitch to settle after re-turfing

City Cup

The City Cup was a competition which ran from 1894 to 1976. Like the Ulster Cup, this was a fixture every season, and the sides played each other every season from 1949 until 1976.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1949–5019 November 1949Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–1Cliftonville
1950–5118 November 1950Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–11Crusaders
1951–523 November 1951Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–2Cliftonville
1952–5325 November 1952Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–1Crusaders
1953–5414 November 1953Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–2Cliftonville
1954–5527 November 1954Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–0Crusaders
1955–5626 November 1955Group StageSeaviewCrusaders0–0Cliftonville
1956–577 May 1957Group StageSolitudeCliftonville3–2Crusaders
1957–589 November 1957Group StageSeaviewCrusaders0–1Cliftonville
1958–598 November 1958Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–3Crusaders
1959–607 November 1959Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–2Cliftonville
1960–6119 November 1960Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–1Crusaders
1961–6218 November 1961Group StageSeaviewCrusaders3–0Cliftonville
1962–6317 November 1962Group StageSolitudeCliftonville3–0Crusaders
1963–6416 November 1963Group StageSeaviewCrusaders5–0Cliftonville
1964–6514 November 1964Group StageSolitudeCliftonville2–1Crusaders
1965–6625 April 1966Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–2Crusaders
1966–6725 April 1967Group StageSeaviewCrusaders6–1Cliftonville
1967–686 April 1968Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–3Crusaders
1968–6922 March 1969Group StageSeaviewCrusaders1–3Cliftonville
1969–704 October 1969Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–5Crusaders
1970–7124 December 1970Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–3Cliftonville
1971–7216 October 1971Group StageSolitudeCliftonville0–0Crusaders
1972–734 November 1972Group StageSeaviewCrusaders8–0Cliftonville
1973–743 November 1973Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–4Crusaders
1974–752 November 1974Group StageSeaviewCrusaders2–0Cliftonville
1975–7618 October 1975Group StageSolitudeCliftonville1–0Crusaders
  • 1 Game abandoned at 1-1 due to heavy rain, result declared complete

Belfast Charity Cup

The Belfast Charity Cup was a competition which ran from 1883 to 1941, and was based on a similar tournament in Scotland, the Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup. The competition was open to senior sides from Belfast and while Cliftonville could enter every year, Crusaders could only enter this competition by winning an intermediate tournament or by invitation.

Season Date Round Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance
1922–2318 April 1923First roundSolitudeCliftonville0–1Crusaders
1925–2626 April 1926Quarter-finalSolitudeCliftonville1–2Crusaders

Goalscorer records

Players with 10 or more goals in the North Belfast derby. Those in bold still with either side.

As of 22 April 2023
Goalscorer Team(s) Goalscoring span (derby) League Irish Cup League Cup County Antrim Shield Ulster Cup Gold Cup City Cup Total
Jordan OwensCrusaders2008–202226——————26
Curry MulhollandCrusaders1951–196010——24—622
Danny HaleCliftonville
Crusaders		1959–1960
1962–1966		11———4—621*
Joe GormleyCliftonville2011–202310522———19
Paul HeatleyCrusaders2013–202315——3———18
Joe MeldrumCrusaders1966–19698———3—516
Kevin McGarryCliftonville1949–195814—————115
Jim WeatherupCrusaders1958–196510———1—314
Glenn HunterCrusaders1989–199793——1——13
Bobby McQuillanCrusaders1972–19755———3—412
Paul KirkCrusaders1975–197710———2——12
Chris ScannellCliftonville1999–20118—13———12
Billy BradfordCrusaders1951–19543———7—111
Ronnie McAteerCrusaders1974–19786——211111
John McPolinCrusaders1967–19764——3——310
  • * Hale scored 18 goals for Crusaders and 3 goals for Cliftonville

Largest attendances

Since the reorganisation of Irish football in 2008 clubs are required to publish attendances. Attendances in the 1960s and 1970s may have been considerably higher.

Season Date Competition Stadium Attendance
2008–099 May 2009Irish Cup FinalWindsor Park7,500
2012–1326 January 2013Irish League Cup FinalWindsor Park4,948
2013–1425 January 2014Irish League Cup FinalSolitude4,300
2016–1726 December 2016NIFL PremiershipSolitude3,109
2022–2326 December 2022NIFL PremiershipSeaview3,056

References
  1. "Memories of Belfast Celtic re-awakened as IFA tries to soothe old wounds". community-relations.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  2. "The emergence of Cliftonville's Red Army resistance: identity and football in 1970s North Belfast". redblackredwhitegreenwhite.wordpress.com. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  3. "BBC Sport NI signs new three-year live football deal with the Irish FA and NIFL". BBC. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. "Sport and Community Relations in Northern Ireland". cain.ulst.ac.uk. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  5. "The British Newspaper Archive". The British Newspaper Archive. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  6. "RSSSF". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  7. "Irish Football Club Project". Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  8. Alexander Graham. Football in Northern Ireland - A Statistical Record 1881-2005. 4Edge Limited.
  9. "IFA Premiership". www.ifapremiership.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  10. "Cliftonville and Crusaders agree to switch league clash to Solitude". Belfast Telegraph. p. 18. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
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