Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew: 661 shirt was a lovely surprise on a very special day

Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew was the deserving recipient of a raft of plaudits and mementos after going second in the club’s all-time appearances list at the weekend.

The 35-year-old, who represented the Blues for the 661st time in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Portadown at Windsor Park, has seen and done it all in the Irish League.

But even he was surprised - and touched - to be presented with a specially commissioned shirt by the club's long-serving kit manager Gary Eccles before the weekend fixture.

Embroidered on the chest of Mulgrew’s matchday jersey were the words: “661 appearances, Linfield FC, 19th February 2020.”

“It was a complete surprise, but a lovely surprise,” said Mulgrew. “I knew nothing about the shirt until I went to put it on.

“It meant a lot because I’ve known Gary a long time and he has become a close friend during my time at Linfield. It was a lovely touch and it meant a lot.”

Mulgrew’s 661 appearances saw him eclipse Tommy ‘Duke of Windsor’ Dickson who played 660 times for the club and captained Linfield’s famous seven trophy winning team of 1961/62.

Only legendary former captain Noel Bailie, who made a remarkable 1,013 appearances, lies above Mulgrew on Linfield's all-time list.

“To go second on the all-time list and be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Tommy Dickson and Noel Bailie is very special for me and my family,” said Jamie.

Mulgrew, who made his Linfield debut in 2005, is chasing down a tenth league title with the Big Two giants this season. Another potential milestone lurks on the horizon.

David Healy’s men lie top of the Danske Bank Premiership, just above derby rivals Glentoran on goal difference, with 10 games left.

“I’m desperate to win a tenth league title and also number