Noel Bailie
Noel Bailie is a former semi-professional footballer from Northern Ireland who spent his entire career playing for Linfield. He played as a sweeper and wore shirt number 11.Playing career
Noel joined Linfield in 1986 from Hillsborough Boys' Club and this has been his only club for almost 25 years. Noel began playing in the Swifts and made his first team debut on Saturday 30 March 1989 away to Ballymena in the County Antrim Shield first round tie at the age of 17. Noel played his 1,000th game for the Blues on 24 April 2010. Bailie has played under four Linfield managers - Roy Coyle, Eric Bowyer, Trevor Anderson and David Jeffrey. In 1993–94 he was named as the Ulster Footballer of the Year. Noel played his 1000th game for Linfield in a 0–0 draw against Crusaders on the 24 April 2010 getting a guard of honour from both sets of players as well as spectators as he left the pitch after the match. He played his final league game in Linfield's 1–0 win over Portadown on 30 April 2011, his 1013th appearance for the club, where he lifted the IFA Premiership trophy.
Bailie's number 11 jersey was retired by the club upon his retirement as a player at the end of the 2010–11 season.
Bailie was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to football in Northern Ireland.Honours
- Irish Premier League : 1992–93, 1993–94, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11
- Irish Cup : 1993–94, 1994–95, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10
