Linfield Football Club - you either love them or hate them. Those who hate them are never shy when it comes to hurling criticism in the direction of Windsor Park.
There isn't a level playing field in the Carnegie Premier League they say. The Blues' international contract with the Irish FA gives them an embarrassment of riches which leaves their rivals chasing miracles.
The agreement gives Linfield 15% of the money the IFA makes from tickets sales, advertising around the ground and TV rights connected with internationals.
At the moment, that works out at approximately £400,000 a year.
There is no doubt that money helps when it comes to running a football club.
However, money cannot buy you everything in life and that includes league titles.
If that was the case then the richest teams in the world would win their leagues all the time. It doesn't happen.
Linfield clinched their 48th title - and third consecutive championship - at the home of Crusaders, a club who don't shop along millionaire's row, however they have lifted the Gibson Cup on four occasions.
When David Jeffrey's side take to the pitch it's 11 v 11 and their opponents never lack hunger and desire when it comes to beating the Blues.
And their resistance becomes even more intense when Linfield are the reigning champions.
Many congratulations will be said to the Blues through gritted teeth but goalkeeper Alan Mannus, fresh from collecting his 2007-08 Ulster Footballer of the Year award, says the champions deserve warm and genuine praise.
"There are no secrets surrounding this team - it is all about hard work and that's the reason why myself, Peter Thompson and Michael Gault ended up in the top three for the Player of the Year award," said Mannus.
"No-one trains as hard as us or as consistently as us. People can say we are only there because we are at Linfield and we are full-time, but there is a reason why we and Linfield as a team are performing well.
"We work hard every single day on and off the pitch and we deserve to be champions.
"It's been a great season for me personally - the best ever and it's great to be part of what is a very special squad.
"We have won the CIS Insurance Cup, now the league and we have a chance of winning the Irish Cup.
"It all comes after the success we have achieved in previous seasons and hopefully we can keep it going.
"There have been a few less games this season but it is still a huge challenge for the players.
"We have done very well defensively as a back five and I think we have the lowest number of goals conceded and the highest number of goals scored so that has made all the difference."
Mannus, who has pocketed his fourth league winners' medal, has kept his mind on the job despite the increasing speculation linking him with a move to Ipswich Town in the summer.
"I have my ambitions as a goalkeeper and person, but I don't let the speculation bother me," he added. "Who knows what is going to happen? I don't know anything about it.
"I don't know whether someone has heard something or whether some people are trying to unsettle me as the manager has said.
"I'm just not someone who pays attention to what people say. People can write what they want or say what they want - I don't care."
Now firmly established in the Northern Ireland set-up, Mannus is honing his shot-stopping skills all the time, however he insists he will keep improving.
"There is no point in me staying in the game if I am going to go backwards," he added.
"Being full-time helps but part-time players can always improve as well. I have more opportunities to get better, but if I was still the same keeper I was this time last season I would say there was something very wrong in what I was doing in training. I am constantly striving to be better and to be the best I can be."
Mannus isn't ready to pack away his goalkeeping gloves just yet as there is the small matter of a Irish Cup Final against Coleraine on Saturday.
"Going into the final against Coleraine the emphasis will be on winning a game against them, it won't be about clinching a treble double," he added.
"It was the same today - it was about beating Crusaders rather than wining the league title."
Stuart McKinley looks at the men who won Linfield their third successive title
Alan Mannus: Has improved immensely in the last 18-months and his record of 20 clean sheets in the league went a long way to making Linfield champions again. Appearances: 30.
Peter Thompson: Boasts a record of a goal a game in the league this season, making it the best of his career so far, with his all-round game coming on leaps and bounds too. Appearances: 29. Goals: 29.
Michael Gault: Northern Ireland international and deservedly so. The most complete midfielder in the country and Linfield are benefiting from him being back to his best after being troubled by illness last season. Appearances: 29. Goals: 2.
Glenn Ferguson: A bit of an off-season for Ferguson, he only managed 14 goals! Has delivered at important times this season and will be around for another one - or two. Appearances: 29 (inc two as sub). Goals: 14.
William Murphy: Some wondered if this was the season that the long-standing Murphy-Noel Bailie partnership would be broken up, but they continue to be as strong as ever. Appearances: 29 (1 as sub). Goals: 3.
Aidan O'Kane: Outstanding last season to earn himself a two-year contract. Continued that form and is a massive asset to the Linfield squad with his quality at both left-back and in midfield. Appearances: 27 (four as sub). Goals: 1.
Noel Bailie: An inspiration to all around him and a role-model for any young footballer. One of the biggest tasks manager David Jeffrey will ever face is finding a replacement for his captain. Appearances: 26 (1 as sub). Goals: 1.
Thomas Stewart: Having a player of his quality make only 11 starts in 30 league games says it all about Linfield's squad strength. Stewart would walk into any other team in the Irish League and hitting seven league goals in 11 starts isn't a bad ratio. Appearances: 21 (10 as sub). Goals: 7.
Jamie Mulgrew: Possesses all the attributes to be a Linfield legend - and has yet to turn 22. His contribution has been as important as anyone else in the title victory. Appearances: 20 (two as sub). Goals: 2.
Mark Dickson: Sadly for Dickson his outstanding form of last season hasn't been repeated, partly down to the form of others keeping him out of the team. Still made key contributions though. Appearances: 20 (12 as sub). Goals: 3.
Paul McAreavey: Injuries and the form of Gault and Mulgrew have kept him on the bench at times, which is another massive sign of the strength in depth at Windsor. Appearances: 19 (3 as sub). Goals: 1.
Damian Curran: Hasn't yet showed his true quality at Linfield, but time is on his side and the real Damian Curran will come through at Windsor Park. Appearances: 19 (6 as sub). Goals: 1.
Steven Douglas and Jim Ervin: It has been an interesting battle between the two for the right-back spot over the last two seasons with only one bad game costing the one in possession his place. Very hard for Jeffrey to choose between the pair. Appearances: Both 17.
Also played: Oran Kearney: Played 17 (8 as sub), 8 goals. Pat McShane: Played 16. Tim Mouncey: Played 13 (six as sub), three goals. Kris Lindsay: Played 10 (three as sub). Conor Downey: Played eight (five as sub). Tim McCann: Played two (one as sub).




