'We wanted to prove the doubters wrong' Healy reveals Linfield's siege mentality on way to 53rd title
Blues boss reveals special bond between players
David Healy has revealed the secret behind Linfield’s success this season – after leading the club to their 53rd league title.
A point with Crusaders in Saturday was enough to pick up the Gibson Cup for the first time since the 2016 season.
The Blues boss (pictured with winger Jordan Stewart after the draw with Crues) says his side adopted a ‘siege mentality’ and developed a special bond that could not be broken.
Healy says the spark was facing the humiliation of Linfield fans who had showed up at last year’s AGM.
“I sat in front of 250 members in an AGM last year, hugely embarrassed,” he said.
“I felt humbled walking in that there were still so many members and somebody said, ‘there are only so many members because we haven’t won anything’.
“I left the room still hugely embarrassed by not having taken a trophy back or the club to Europe. As a young coach and manager, you try to learn and improve.”
From the start of this season, though, there was a different attitude throughout the club.
Healy added: “You have to use the focus and the drive when it does get to the nitty-gritty.
“We’re in it together and we have used the words this year ‘siege mentality’, it’s us against the rest and the players have thankfully bought into it this year.”
Healy pays tribute to his players for their efforts throughout the season.
“Credit to all the players,” he said.
“The mentality of all the players from day one was let’s go and prove people wrong.
“We were written off and rightly so because at the end of the day facts don’t lie.
“We were nowhere near good enough and the players that we brought in last year have ended up being massive players for us this year.”
Looking forward to next season, Healy says the league will be even more competitive.
“Crusaders will be back stronger, absolutely,” he said.
“Glentoran will be stronger, Coleraine will be stronger. Glenavon are always in and around or thereabouts. Cliftonville will be stronger with Paddy McLaughlin.”