Belfast Council Plans Commemoration for 150th Anniversary of First Football Match
Belfast City Council is considering organizing a commemoration event for the 150th anniversary of the first organized association football match in Ireland, which was held in Belfast in 1878. Cliftonville FC, Ireland's first association football club, was formed a year later.
Councillor Brian Smyth has proposed that the council work together with various partners to organize a public event in 2028 to commemorate the event, which shows Belfast as the home of soccer on the island of Ireland.
The first organized match was an exhibition game played on October 24, 1878, between prominent Scottish clubs Queen’s Park and Caledonian, organized by Belfast businessman John McCredy McAlery, often credited as the “Father of Irish football.” He would later become the founder of Cliftonville FC.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 5th in Northern Ireland Premiership, 47 pts, 13W-8D-12L from 33 games, recent form LWWLL.
Goals this season: 49 scored, 48 conceded (+1 goal difference).
Title race: 26 points behind leaders Larne.
Next fixture: vs Coleraine FC (at home, 2026-12-12) (3rd in the table).
Councillor Brian Smyth to the Belfast Council’s People and Communities Committee this week: “It is widely recognised as the moment when association football was introduced to Ireland, and led a year later to Cliftonville being formed, the first football club in Ireland, and 12 months later, the IFA.
“Given the historical significance, I believe there is a strong case for a programme in 2028 to mark the 150th anniversary, potentially including a formal commemorative event at Ulidia, which is home to Rosario YFC. It should include Belfast City Council, Cliftonville, the IFA, the Northern Ireland Football League, the FAI, and we could also possibly reach out to Queens Park FC in Scotland.
“Something like this would showcase Belfast as the birthplace of football on this island, and celebrate a shared sporting tradition across the island.
The committee agreed for council officers to bring back a report outlining the feasibility of the proposal.
