Linfield Chairman Backs Manager After Abuse Incident
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern has expressed his support for manager David Healy, who recently highlighted the personal and vile abuse directed at him, his players, and staff by the club’s supporters. Healy, addressing the situation in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, described the abuse following the team’s 3-0 defeat to Ballymena United on the first day of the Irish Premiership season as “nothing short of disgraceful.”
McGivern emphasized that while fans have the right to express their dissatisfaction with team performances, there is a boundary that must not be crossed regarding personal attacks on the manager and players.
“I’ve met with David this week and had a good chat with him. There are certainly no issues between David and the board. We totally understand fans get frustrated. I’ve been a fan of this club for well over 50 years, and fans who pay for tickets are entitled to voice their opinions,” McGivern stated.
He acknowledged that frustration is part of football but stressed the importance of maintaining respect. “What we are saying is, there is a line to be drawn, and some of the personal, vile abuse that we’ve seen both online and in the stands at Windsor Park has just not been acceptable,” he added. “I think David was absolutely right to call that out. I get where fans are coming from but please just show a bit of respect to the players, to the staff, to the directors and other supporters in the stadium.”
In a related discussion, McGivern addressed the club’s financial difficulties, noting significant challenges lying ahead. “It’s been a difficult and challenging start to the season. We anticipated progressing in the European ties, but a first-round exit has created substantial financial issues for the club,” he explained.
He acknowledged the supporters’ concerns regarding the financial state and assured that the board shares these worries. “We are trying to address a range of financial challenges,” he said, highlighting the club’s need to explore outside investment to remain competitive in the league.
“We are in discussions with several parties about investing in the club. Some of that has appeared in the press recently, particularly regarding a link with Rangers. We are doing everything we can to move forward with either minority investment or total ownership,” McGivern concluded. “All those options remain on the table, but the club does need some sort of investment. We can’t stand still at this club.”
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern said that manager David Healy was “absolutely right” to call out the “personal” and “vile” abuse directed towards him in recent weeks.
Healy told the Belfast Telegraph that the abuse he, his players and staff received from Blues supporters in Windsor Park and online in the aftermath of their 3-0 defeat by Ballymena United on the opening day of the Irish Premiership season was “nothing short of disgraceful”.
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McGivern stressed that while Blues supporters had the right to air their frustrations with performances on the pitch, they should not cross the line when it comes to abusing the manager and players.
“I’ve met with David this week and had a good chat with him. There are certainly no issues between David and the board. We totally understand fans get frustrated, I’ve been a fan of this club for well over 50 years and fans who pay their money for the games and season tickets and members tickets, they’re entitled to give their opinions and be frustrated,” McGivern said.
“That’s part and parcel of football, we totally get that and no one is saying that’s not acceptable.
“What we are saying is, there is a line to be drawn and some of the personal, vile abuse that we’ve seen both online and in the stands at Windsor Park has just not been acceptable.
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“I think David was absolutely right to call that out. I get where fans are coming from but please just show a bit of respect to the players, to the staff, to the directors and other supporters in the stadium.”
‘We can’t stand still at this club’
McGivern also addressed Linfield’s financial situation, adding that there are “huge challenges facing the club at the moment”.
“It’s been a difficult and challenging start to the season. The European tie was one we expected to progress and over the two legs it was a game we should have won but we exit at round one and financially it causes huge issues for the club,” he explained.
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“I know supporters are concerned. The board would share that concern and we are trying to address the range of financial challenges.”
He believes the club need to follow the likes of Coleraine, Glentoran Larne and most recently Cliftonville in accepting outside investment to continue to compete at the top of the table.
“We are in discussion with a number of parties about investment into the club but that all takes time.
“Some of that has appeared in the press recently in terms of the link with Rangers, so we’re doing all we can to take that forward whether that is a minority investment or someone taking total ownership of the club.
“All those options are still on the table but the club does need some sort of investment. We can’t stand still at this club.”
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