One-time Antrim player Paul McErlean has been entrusted with representing the club in its battle to broker a deal with the Irish Football Association (IFA) over the future use of its Windsor Park home.

At stake is the very future of arguably the best-supported club in Irish soccer. McErlean recognises the sensibilities involved in his role, but he stressed that the client relationship with Linfield is one based on fairness.

"From the start I have been struck by the open and transparent attitude of Linfield FC. They are caught up in the middle of a high stakes battle that is not of their making. In my dealings with the club I have found them to be only honourable. The least that they should expect is that they are treated in the same way, " McErlean said.

Linfield's contract with the IFA was originally drawn up on the basis of a 100year lease. The arrangement still has 80 years to run.

It was drafted on the understanding that Windsor Park would be the home of international football for the Northern Ireland team over the duration of the lease.

But the IFA lawyers claim health and safety issues and crowd restrictions imposed by UEFA mean the lease must be scrapped.

Along with the GAA and rugby authorities, the IFA has put on record its support for the concept of a new multi-sports stadium at the Maze prison site. Central to the IFA's legal case will be the argument that the deficiencies in the fabric of Windsor Park have made the ground "not fit for purpose."

Now Linfield is relying on the PR skills of the former Antrim player. His task is to ensure that the club's past substantial investment in the development of Windsor Park is not sacrificed for sports-related political expediency.

Little over a decade ago McErlean's appointment wouldn't have happened. But of all the sporting organisations in Northern Ireland, Linfield has been prepared to confront its past.

Most, if not all, of the negative baggage loaded against the club over its all-Protestant and Loyalist hard-line support image has been jettisoned.