10 Greatest Games no.4: Northern Ireland 1 Scotland 0

Published: Happy Days Issue 8

Ten Greatest NI matches. No.4
21/10/1967 Belfast; Attendance 55,000
Northern Ireland 1 Scotland 0 (ECQ/HIC)

When Stan Mortensen scored a hat trick in the 1953 FA Cup Final he could be forgiven for being a little miffed that it was dubbed ‘The Stanley Matthews Final.” In the same way, Dave Clements winning goal against the Scots in 1967 has been overshadowed by the performance of the man who provided the assist; El Beatle himself, George Best. The game has become known as his greatest ever performance in the green shirt and stories of the day have been well recounted through the years.

There is little doubt that George Best was a huge name. A year after destroying Benfica in the 5-1 demolition in the European quarter final, he was a huge revenue generator for the Irish FA. For the game against Scotland, the crowd was three times larger than it had been at the previous home game against Wales where Best wasn’t playing. Despite having the 21 year old talent in their team, Northern Ireland resumed the role of underdogs, against a Scottish team fresh from defeating World Champions England, and boasting a strong line up including Denis Law, Ian Ure and Tommy Gemmill. Gemmill is seen as arguably one of the greatest British full backs of all time, and just 6 months previously had helped Celtic become the first British team to win the European Cup. When faced with the genius of Best however, he was painfully embarrassed as George would twist and turn, ‘nutmegging’ the full back and then gallop back to tease him again. Best’s performance that day was mesmerising, on an arena that resembled more of a quagmire than a football pitch, gaining credit from the Scottish press the following day.

There were 22 players on the pitch, but the vast majority seemed to be spectators, Gemmell in particular sitting on the field for much of the game. Debutants for Ireland Billy McKeag and Billy Campbell might have spent the night previous dreaming of a perfect performance, but they were merely pawns along with their teammates as Best battled with Scotland and Celtic goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson who excelled in goal, matching everything that Best could throw at him. The same could not be said of his defence however, who longed for the final whistle and the torture to end. Best would pop up everywhere, taking on defenders who tried to bring him down by any means possible but his exquisite balance shone through, all the time heading either for goal, or for Gemmell. Never has such an individual performance been witnessed, tearing apart the Scots, twisting their blood and shattering self-belief.

The goal finally came in the 67th minute. As the Scottish defence flocked to the immediate danger that was Best, he played the ball into Dave Clements in space, and he finished the move from within the penalty area. It was no more than was deserved, Simpson finally beaten after his heroics. The goal gave Billy Bingham a win in his first match as manager, a fact that has been glossed over in recent years. There was no doubt that the glory and limelight belonged to the ‘Belfast Boy’. The joy he gave the people of Northern Ireland had never been encapsulated as much as it was that day, in what has rightly become known as ‘The George Best Match’

Team: P. Jennings, W. McKeag, J. Parke, A. Stewart, T. Neill, D. Clements, W. Campbell, J. Crossan, D. Dougan, J. Nicholson, G. Best

Northern Ireland v Everton: What’s the point?

Published: Happy Days Issue 8

Northern Ireland v Everton – What’s the point?

So, half an Everton team beat a Northern Ireland side featuring four regular squad players in a match where neither set of players were at full fitness levels. What did anyone learn from this? For David Moyes, it was a chance to assess how his young players cope playing with seasoned first teamers and to further his players’ progress towards match fitness; but those who turned out for the Northern Ireland ‘select’ could easily have done that with the clubs that employ them. For Nigel Worthington, cleverly disguised as Roy Millar, he will have picked up very little from watching this drab 90 minutes that he couldn’t have found out from you or me.

Irish League players can’t cut it at International level. Sure in days gone by there were exceptions, but can you really convince me that Peter Thompson or Gary Hamilton have set the International stage alight? The only one who can claim to have made and impact in Europe in recent years is Glenn Ferguson, but I’m not sure being banned from Prague is quite what we’re looking for. Oval hero Hamilton was back for this match to show that he is more suited to the ‘big fish-small pond’ scenario. Alongside him was Kevin Braniff, showing good upper body strength and aerial ability, but demonstrating the main indication of his Irish League status, that is the ‘first touch syndrome’. That six Irish league players took part, along with a string of players from the lower English and Scottish leagues who were all captained by the unemployed Stephen Lomas pretty much sums up the quality on show. This was dubbed a showpiece match and had the players featured in the match programme squad lists turned up it would have been. But they didn’t so it wasn’t.

Now far be it for me to be pessimistic and condemning against a Milk Cup committee who persuaded the Irish FA that this would be a good idea. That they also persuaded me to purchase a ticket at £18 so that I could watch my childhood heroes Sean Webb and Sammy Morrow deserves credit also. As a marketing ploy (and I see it as little else) this was a financial success. The committee played the 25th anniversary card spot on. If half the Everton squad turned up to my 25th Anniversary I’d be reasonably happy although I’d be keeping an eye on the thirst and antics of Shandy van der Meyde. However, as much of a success as it was for the Milk Cup and its ego, it was equally a waste of time for Nigel Worthington. How many of these players changed the manager’s mind about whether or not they deserve a full cap? Dean Holden said he would walk from Falkirk to Windsor for the chance – Thing is Dean, so would I. And I’m crap. Holden played well, along with several other players including Keith O’Hara, but did they really show enough to say I deserve to play against Denmark, Spain, Sweden? I doubt it.

Now perhaps I’m mellowing as I get older, but I thought Ciaran Toner actually looked the part. He not only looked energetic and committed, but showed glimpses of quality in his passing and movement, particularly when he moved from right flank into the centre. There you go – A positive. It’s the only one I can find from an otherwise pointless affair.

Soccer Sight – Another triumph for ‘Football for All’

Published: Coleraine Times, 11th July 2007

Are you planning on heading down to Coleraine Showgrounds on Saturday to watch Northern Ireland XI against Everton?  Are you hoping to see attractive football and goals?  If you are, consider yourself fortunate.  In Northern Ireland there are 5000 people who are registered blind or partially sighted.  However, whilst there are many difficulties to be faced, sight problems do not seem to quench the passion for sport.  Football can overcome many obstacles and thanks to the RNIB, in conjunction with the Irish Football Association and the George Best Foundation, blind or visually impaired folks will still be able to take in the action and the atmosphere at this weeks showpiece match.  The project is called Soccer Sight and provides audio description via a personal receiver and transmitter.  It allows the blind or visually impaired person listening to sit in their normal seat with their mates rather than go to a special designated area to receive the commentary.  It was launched in March of this year and made its debut at Windsor Park for Northern Ireland’s 2-1 victory over Sweden

In order for the scheme to run smoothly and consistently, the IFA ran a competition via their website to find two commentators.  The winners of the competition, as judged by the BBC’s Joel Taggart were Brian Elliot of Newtownards and Robin Peake from Ballynahinch.  After a trial run at the Setanta Cup game between Linfield and Glentoran and some Visual Awareness training, the pair were put to the test for the European Championship qualifier.  Robin says “It’s fairly nervy, because you know that there are people listening who are forming opinions on the match from how accurately and objectively you describe what’s happening on the pitch.  I was surprised how tired you can get by concentrating on describing what’s going on, so it’s good to have Brian with me to break it up with his analysis.”  Funded by the George Best foundation, the system will allow older members of the crowd to still enjoy the atmosphere despite diminishing eyesight.  As Robin explains, it differs from Radio Commentary in a number of ways: “If you took a walkman and tuned into the game you might get interruptions as they cross over to other matches, but importantly a radio commentator is not as focused on describing what’s happening off the pitch, be it a manager fuming on the sideline, a substitute warming up or what is happening in the crowd.  These are things that make the football match experience whole, and for those who can hear the crowd react around them but not know what they are reacting to, that must be very frustrating.”

The Milk Cup team have decided to utilise the scheme for the 25^th Anniversary Challenge match between Everton and a Northern Ireland select side.  As a result the equipment and commentators will be in place so that those with little or no eyesight, can still enjoy the full matchday experience.  If you know of anyone who may benefit from this scheme then contact Barry Macaulay at the RNIB on 90329373 or email barry.macaulay@rnib.org.uk

Liechtenstein 1 Northern Ireland 4 (Match Report)

Published: Happy Days Issue 8

Liechtenstein 1 Northern Ireland 4

Northern Ireland came away from Vaduz with a convincing result despite giving not an altogether convincing performance. However, to return from a competitive away match having scored four goals without playing particularly well is a fantastic achievement. Add to that the fact that Northern Ireland never do particularly well under the label of favourites, and this scoreline was as important as it was flattering.

It was David Healy inevitably who was to be the star of the show, becoming the first Northern Irish player to score two hat tricks for his country. And whilst the same prestige may not be attached to this hat trick as to his previous one against Spain, there is no doubting the quality of his finishes. The record breaking talisman took his goals calmly and with accuracy that led Sanchez to declare him a “world class finisher”

Liechtenstein were confident on the ball and stroked it around crisply and succinctly in a way that former Northern Ireland captain Danny Blanchflower – a great ambassador for the passing game – would have been thrilled to witness. As a team they played with their heads held high, always looking for the attractive short pass rather than the ambitious long ball that the visitors preferred. A nervy first half was endured with Healy and Davis trying to see how dubious Peter Jehle was with some ambitious long range efforts. Rather than rattle him however, it seemed to help his confidence as he clawed away a goalbound Keith Gillespie shot at full stretch in what was Northern Ireland’s best effort in a fruitless first half; compounded by Chris Brunt’s inability to deliver any threatening set pieces. Indeed it was the home team who could have stole the lead at the end of the first period, when FC Basle’s Franz Burgmeier headed over from a Mario Frick cross when well placed. It was Frick who was the danger man for the home side, but a lack of quality and awareness from his team-mates meant that his menacing crosses were to no avail.

It took Northern Ireland just seven minutes of the second half to take the lead and calm the nerves of the majority away following. A mistake in the home midfield saw the ball fall kindly for Damien Johnson who fed Kyle Lafferty. A poor attempt on goal from the Burnley striker was quickly forgotten as the ball broke to Healy who slotted it into the empty net. Liechtenstein continued to press and a combination of Frick’s skill and Maik Taylor’s handling on a couple of occasions showed that this was not over yet. Healy eased Sanchez’s worries however, when on 75 minutes Gillespie showed a bit of pace and quality and knocked the ball forward for him, whose first touch took him onto his right foot before sending a reverse shot past the stranded Jehle. As Liechtenstein continued to press forward with their admirable style of football they got caught in possession on 82 minutes when a visionary pass from Steve Davis sent through Healy for his third, slotted coolly through Jehle’s legs.

Liechtenstein got their reward for their perseverance with the strike of the match; Burgmeier cutting in on his right foot and sending a sweet curling shot past Taylor from 18 yards. However it was the away fans who had the final cheer, when the impressive Gillespie sent a cross over from the right wing which was met beautifully by the head of the onrushing Grant McCann. All in all, there wasn’t a lot between these two sides, bar a little bit of quality in the green shirts, and an unforgiving Killyleagh finisher.

Liverpool and Northern Ireland: Quality over Quantity

Published: StateOfTheGame.co.uk, 16th February 2007

http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/02/16/liverpool-and-northern-ireland-quality-over-quantity/

When Jim Magilton was a trainee at Anfield, it was hoped that the boy would be able to break into the first team. Instead he found himself transferred to Oxford, having been as close as any Ulsterman to turn out for the Reds since the 1930s. It is now over 70 years since a Northern Irish International has played a senior game for Liverpool, and the prestige of playing for both belongs to only three men. However what Liverpool may have lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality.

Billy Lacey was no stranger to success. A member of Liverpool’s title winning teams of 1922 and 1923, he was also an integral part of the 1914 British Championship team. It was the first time the honour had come to Belfast, and it didn’t return until a Noel Brotherston goal against Wales in 1980 saw Billy Bingham’s men lift the trophy. Born in Co. Wexford at a time when the Irish FA could select any player from the whole island, Lacey went on to win 23 caps, scoring 3 times. He didn’t represent the FAI until the ripe old age of 37, and remains their oldest player to make a debut and their oldest player of all time on his last appearance, aged 41.
A tricky winger, he made 230 league appearances for Liverpool after his transfer from local rivals Everton. Not renowned for his goal-scoring ability, scoring only 18 league goals, he clearly had an affinity with the FA Cup, scoring 11 times in just 28 matches. Lacey left for New Brighton in 1924, leaving behind his international colleague, Elisha Scott, arguably the greatest goalkeeper to play for the Reds. Joining Liverpool in 1912, he remains the longest serving player in their history, playing for over 20 years. His ability cannot be questioned, nor should it be forgotten. One contemporary reporter wrote of him; “He has the eye of an eagle, the swift movement of a panther when flinging himself at a shot and the clutch of a vice when gripping the ball.” He was held in high esteem by the Kopites, and in 1924 when he pulled off a spectacular save against Blackburn, one supporter ran onto the pitch to kiss him! He had a good friendship with record breaking Dixie Dean, who was a great goal-scorer for Everton. Their battles on the pitch were great spectacles and well anticipated, much like the great Ian Wright versus Peter Schmeichel contests of the late 90s. One story tells of Scott and Dean meeting each other in town one day. When Dean nodded to Scott in acknowledgment, Scott dived through a shop window to save the imaginary ball! After leaving Liverpool he returned to Belfast as player manager of Belfast Celtic, and was in charge of their farewell tour in America in 1953, where they famously beat Scotland – A feat the international team of that time couldn’t achieve.

Aghadowey-born Sam English completes the trio of connections. Having scored 44 goals in the 1931/32 season for Glasgow Rangers, a club record which is still held today, he left Scottish football after a freak accident with Celtic goalkeeper Johnny Thomson which left the latter dead. Hounded out by opposition fans who refused to recognise his innocence, the centre forward joined Liverpool in August 1933, and went onto score 26 goals in 50 appearances. His goal ratio carried through to international football, being capped twice by the Irish FA and scoring once, against Wales.

Next time you find yourself on a plane to Liverpool; don’t expect to be travelling with some local footballers, ready to make their mark at Anfield. Somehow, I don’t think Rafa Benitez is planning on using his Dubai investment to send some scouts over to Linfield versus Limavady. Apparently the Spanish don’t like Windsor Park . . .

10 greatest matches no. 5 Northern Ireland 1 Yugoslavia 0

Published: Happy Days Issue 7

Ten Greatest NI Matches. No.5
16/04/1975 Belfast; Attendance: 25,847
Northern Ireland 1- 0 Yugoslavia (ECQ)

Belfast has never had a great reputation at the best of times, but at the height of the Troubles in the early 1970s it was particularly negative. So much so, that for four years international opponents didn’t appear at Windsor Park, and Northern Ireland were forced to play their ‘home’ games up and down the mainland at grounds like Highfield Road and Goodison Park. Incredibly, in Terry Neill’s three year reign as player-manager his team only played at Windsor Park once; a 1-1 draw against the Soviet Union in October 1971 which proved to be the last international match in Belfast for almost four years. It was a depressing reminder of the situation at home, so when the Yugoslavian FA casually agreed to fulfill the fixture it was greeted with great cheer as well as relief that some sense of normality would be restored.

An early 5pm kick off was arranged to minimize the number of intoxicated spectators as well as facilitating the poor floodlights. As the Yugoslavian players emerged they were greeted with a huge roar of approval from an emotional and appreciative crowd, who were touched by the enormity of the gesture. Northern Ireland fielded a full strength team. Indeed, nine of the starting eleven hold places in the 30 most capped Irish internationals of all time, and three have managed the national side. The match itself began as a predictably cagey affair, although Northern Ireland dominated proceedings against a strong Slavic team. Complimenting now player-manager Dave Clements was Martin O’Neill, instrumental in the middle of the park. Here was a player who had improved greatly since his debut in that match against the Soviets some four years previously. It was a shame that the fans had missed witnessing the development of players like O’Neill and the mesmerizing skill of favorite son George Best. Another honorable performance was put in by debutant Derek Spence, who was playing above his third division status and causing the experienced Yugoslavian defence plenty of problems.

With the team keen to impress and show the home crowd what they had been missing, they were creating plenty of chances which were either fluffed or saved by the in-form Ljupko Petrovic. The solitary goal belied the classy nature of the performance, a scrappy left foot shot from Bryan Hamilton greeted by a huge cheer from the Spion Kop. The relief and joy were tangible, for a crowd which had waited nearly four years for a home goal.

Sammy McIlroy – who knows all about goal droughts – was on the receiving end of some more Slavic hospitality. Going down with cramp in the Yugoslav penalty area, play continued without the trainer being allowed on as at that time it wasn’t convention to kick the ball out of play. With the match continuing at the other end of the pitch, Petrovic came out of his goal to help McIlroy stretch. It was that kind of day.

The game itself may not have been a great spectacle, but the significance was far reaching. In the years following, only neighbours Scotland refused to play in ‘unsafe Belfast’ in 1976. It is a decision which still holds bitterness amongst some Northern Ireland supporters, although it is speculated that the IFA did not object too much with the prospect of increased revenue from a ‘home’ game at Hampden. How teams like England, Portugal and Spain would love to use politics as an excuse nowadays to avoid the wrath of Windsor.

Team: P. Jennings, P. Rice, S. Nelson, A. Hunter, C.Nicholl, D. Clements, B. Hamilton, M. O’Neill, D. Spence, S. McIlroy, T. Jackson

Ten Greatest Matches No.1 Northern Ireland 7 Wales 0

Published: Happy Days issue 7

10 Greatest matches

Over the next few issues of HD, I will be looking at matches which Northern Ireland have played down the years which have helped define us as a footballing nation. Picking the ten greatest matches that Northern Ireland have been involved in isn’t an easy task. Defining greatness in itself is not easy. Entertainment is important, but so to is significance, so for this reason I have not included any ‘International Friendly’ games. The recent games which form the ‘Wednesday nights in September’ series have been overlooked as enough has been written about them in past HD issues. After much deliberation, here is the final ten

1. Wales 1930 (7-0)
2. England 1947 (2-2)
3. West Germany 1958 (2-2)
4. Scotland 1967 (1-0)
5. Yugoslavia 1975 (1-0)
6. Netherlands 1976 (2-2)
7. Spain 1982 (1-0)
8. West Germany 1982 and 1983 (1-0, 1-0)
9. England 1985 (0-0)
10. Austria 1995 (5-3)

Ten Greatest NI matches. No.1
1/2/1930 Belfast
Northern Ireland 7 Wales 0

Northern Ireland’s biggest ever win came against a Wales team who were enjoying arguably the most successful period in their history. Between 1920 and 1937 they won the Home Internationals Championship no fewer than seven times outright, no mean achievement considering the usual dominance of England and Scotland. However the 1929/1930 was to prove to be a disastrous campaign for the Welsh. Having already shipped four goals to Scotland and six to England, they may have arrived in Belfast looking to salvage some pride as the two traditionally weaker teams in the championship battled to lose the ‘wooden spoon’ tag. However, it was the Irish team that went home with their pride and a winning margin which remains unsurpassed to this day, slamming in seven goals against Wrexham goalkeeper Dick Finnegan who was never to play for his country again. The scoreline was all the more remarkable considering the Irish team featured three debutants, namely goalkeeper Alf Gardiner, James McCambridge and Jack ‘Soldier’ Jones. For Jones, international appearances were a family tradition. His brother Sam, uncles Sam and Joe Burnison and brother-in-law Billy Mitchell all turned out for Ireland. Only the Feeney family can claim such strong family ties with senior Irish representation.

The hero of the day was Linfield striker Joe Bambrick. Thought to have scored around 1000 goals in his 15 year career, he notched an unprecedented double hat-trick against the Welsh. Whilst captain Andy McCluggage scored the other goal, the day belonged to Bambrick in his greatest hour in a green shirt. His six goals in one match stood as a record in the championships until their conclusion in 1984. Such was his feat, that a week later a local soft drinks producer marketed a beverage called ‘Joe Six’ to mark his achievement. Indeed, he scored a total of 94 goals in the 1929/1930 season including all of the goals in Linfield’s 4-3 victory over Ballymena United to clench the Irish Cup Final. Over the course of his 11 caps, he managed an impressive 12 goals coining the phrase, “Head, Heel or Toe, Slip it to Joe.”

Team: A Gardiner, A. McCluggage, R.P. Fulton, W. McCleery, J. Jones, T. Sloan, R.J. Chambers, R.W.M. Rowley, J. Bambrick, J. McCambridge, J. Mahood

Manchester United and Northern Ireland: A Special Bond

Published: Happy Days Issue 8 and StateOfTheGame.co.uk, 5th January 2007, http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/01/05/manchester-united-and-northern-ireland-a-special-bond/

At the beginning of last year, while visiting a friend in Manchester I decided to make the most of the opportunity and head down to Old Trafford. Manchester United is a club steeped in history, and the on-site museum ensured that I was reminded of this. The Munich air crash of 1958 followed by European success ten years later, the troublesome seventies and the Fergie Era. The stories which had been written on the football field were being treasured and told to a younger generation some 50 feet away. However the one display that dominated the ground floor of the club museum was a tribute to the then recently deceased George Best. It served as a poignant reminder of a Northern Ireland connection with arguably the most famous club in the world. Indeed a glance at the museum’s International honours list shows an impressive number of players who have represented both the Red Devils and Northern Ireland. No club can boast more Ulster representatives than the Manchester outfit.
Whilst George Best is undoubtedly the most recognisable link, no fewer than 28 players have appeared in both the Red and Green shirts, notching up over 750 caps between them. Recognisable names like Best, Sammy McIlroy and Jimmy Nicholl jump out from the engraved list. History makers too such as John Peden who scored Ireland’s first hat trick and Norman Whiteside who became the youngest ever player to appear in a World Cup in 1982. Survivors of the Munich disaster, Harry Gregg and Jackie Blanchflower are names held in high esteem on both sides of the Irish Sea. The crash ended Blanchflower’s career and Gregg became a named associated with courage, although the big Coleraine man is quick to stifle any attempts to label him a hero. It is true he should be remembered for his performances between the sticks, yet many people seek to define him through what he did that night on the runway.

Recent years too have seen Irishmen emerging from the home dressing room at the Theatre of Dreams. Keith Gillespie and David Healy may not have featured highly in Alex Ferguson’s plans but their pedigree upbringing has benefited the national team immensely. The same cannot be said of Pat McGibbon and Phil Mulryne who never lived up to their youthful potential. The former finds himself back home in the Irish League with Portadown and the latter who is reaching the supposed peak years of his career has yet to find a club for the 2006/07 season. Roy Carroll did make a name for himself at Old Trafford, although unfortunately it was more due to some high profile mistakes rather than his shot stopping ability. He remains however, the only Ulsterman to have won a Premiership medal.
And the future for both club and country is bright. Whilst Derry born Darron Gibson has opted to play for the Republic, Jonny Evans has the opportunity to prove to Ferguson he has every right to be involved in the first team if he performs well under another Irishman, Roy Keane, at Sunderland. His younger brother Corey and Craig Cathcart who are also on United’s books, are two more names that might just be engraved in that honours list someday. As long as Northern Ireland keep producing, and Manchester keeps nurturing, there will always be a special relationship between the two, and some successful teams as well.

Northern Ireland’s Tomorrow’s Men

Published: Happy Days Issue 7 and StateOfTheGame.co.uk, 4th January 2007, http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/01/04/northern-irelands-tomorrows-men/

2006 was a good year for the Green and White Army.
It was a year that saw an unlikely victory over Spain along with a battling draw in Denmark added to credible victories over Estonia, Finland and Latvia. It was a year which saw end times on the international scene for seasoned veteran Colin Murdock, with James Quinn likely to follow suit shortly. It was a year where Michael Duff, Chris Baird and especially Stephen Craigan have gained glowing recognition for their efforts, with some fine individual performances. Yet perhaps when we look back in five years time at 2006, it will be seen as a year in which many of our young stars began to shine. Sammy Clingan, Kyle Lafferty and Jonny Evans all made their international debuts, and all have been huge successes in the eyes of the Windsor Park faithful. And with all three playing regular League football, the future looks very bright indeed for Northern Ireland. The re-introduction of the under-21s has surely been a catalyst in this sudden burst of youth, and there is hope that there will be many more gems to be uncovered. So, who can we expect to see breaking onto the international scene in 2007 and beyond?

Daryl Fordyce
While many spectators at last summer’s Milk Cup turned out to see newly capped Kyle Lafferty, his strike partner went largely unnoticed. Portsmouth player, Daryl Fordyce bagged two goals against Turkey to outshine his colleague in the goal scoring charts. For those who know the Sandy Row lad, they could hardly have been expected to act surprised. A stunning feat of four goals against (the now defunct) Serbia and Montenegro under-19s in a tournament in Belgium saw his stock rise. The third goal in particular was a real peach, reminiscent of a young David Healy strike against the French under-21s shortly before his senior debut. In the next game against the hosts, he showed real guts and determination as well as vocal leadership to help the team turn around a 2-0 deficit to draw level, only to lose to a last minute winner. His commitment to the cause in that game was highlighted when at one stage he came charging back into his own third Rooney-esque, to win back possession for the team. His hunger to win unfortunately carried through as he was involved in a stoppage time infringement with the opposition goalkeeper, and whilst the red card was harsh, it should serve as a learning experience.

Verdict: He needs first team football to develop, so hopefully he can gain a loan spell to a lower division club. If Fordyce can carry his international form onto the club scene, and maintain his level headedness, then he can expect to be seen as a contender for senior recognition in the next 12 months
Craig Cathcart
Coming from Greenisland youth team, which has been acting as a feeder club for Manchester United of late with Jonny and, younger brother, Corey Evans signing for the Old Trafford outfit, Cathcart was the latest boy to be sent over the water. The Red Devils picked him up after the centre-back shone in the 2005 Victory Shield, and he went on to become virtually an ever present for the under 18s the next season. His good form (and the fact that he is part of a ?big club?) led to his selection in Roy Millar?s under-21 panel for the latest game against Germany, despite being only 17 at the time
Verdict: He certainly has youth on his side, and whether or not Sir Alex Ferguson decides to send him to feeder club Royal Antwerp at the start of next season will show just how highly he rates young Cathcart. Don’t expect to see him make his debut this incoming year, with plenty of defensive cover, but should Northern Ireland be eliminated from qualification before the final games, Sanchez may wish to give the boy a chance to prove himself.
Rory McArdle
Another centre-back, 19 year old McArdle was born and bred in Sheffield yet qualifies for Northern Ireland through his father. A physical defender in the old-fashioned mould, he is good in the air and strong in his challenges. He is also equally adept at providing an attacking threat from set-pieces as Paraguay found out during last season’s Milk Cup, when McArdle’s strength allowed him to set up Lafferty. Having been sent on loan to Rochdale last season where he made 20 appearances, he made his debut for his hometown club Sheffield Wednesday in the early part of this season. However, after just two substitute appearances he was on his way back to Spotland in early November. Alongside Jamie Ward of Torquay he is a rarity on the IFA database in that he is was born in England and yet has managed to find his way into our youth network. His talent and success would suggest that Roy Millar could do little worse than look south at the FAI?s successful scouting system in unearthing talent with Irish connections.
Verdict: If Wednesday can achieve promotion then don’t expect to see McArdle hanging around Hillsborough for too long. His eagerness for first team football is noted, but he should be capable at a higher standard than League Two, and competing with Grant McCann, Gareth McAuley and Jeff Hughes for a squad place.
Paddy McLaughlin
Perhaps not the most talked about of Kenny Shiels under-17 team with full back Ryan O’Neill (West Ham) and skipper Ryan McGivern (Man City) being hailed as the bright stars of this team, McLaughlin has every chance of following his team mates across the Irish Sea. A year younger than most in the under-17 team that won their mini-tournament in October, McLaughlin shone like a beacon in the centre of midfield with fair challenges which focused on winning possession rather than bringing down the player, followed by crisp passing. His energy was evident in protecting a back four which didn’t concede in any of the three matches, as well as offering another option in attack. With a pedigree background at Greenisland, McLaughlin will surely be hoping for a move in the summer to the mainland, and judging by his performances in a green shirt, he has every chance
Verdict: Too early to say if he will be a future international star, but this is exactly the type of player that the under-21 set up will benefit in a few years time. The hope is that he won’t follow Michael O’Connor and Tony Kane in opting to play for the Republic in a few years time, as it seems anyone with a Gaelic sounding name can expect an approach. If it were to happen, it would be Northern Ireland’s loss
With such an influx of young players breaking into the senior team in 2006, these lads will find it more difficult in the coming year to make the step up, especially in the middle of a qualifying campaign. One thing is for sure? The future’s bright, its Green and White.

Harry Gregg Interview

Published: Happy Days Issue 7 and Ufouria Student Magazine, interview conducted November 2006

As I pull up to Harry Gregg’s house, outside the small village of Articlave near Coleraine, I’m struck with a sense of awe. Not at the house or the spectacular scenic surroundings which would ordinarily send me to be at one with nature, but at the prospect of meeting a true Irish legend.

Born in Magherafelt in 1932 and reared in Coleraine, he signed for Linfield Swifts as a 15 year old before returning to his hometown club. In 1952 former Irish international Peter Doherty signed him for Doncaster Rovers where he forged a name for himself. Matt Busby was convinced by Gregg’s talent, and in 1957 paid £23,500 for him, then a world record fee for a goalkeeper. Gregg excelled at Manchester United but his tenure there coincided with a lean spell for the Old Trafford outfit as Busby tried to rebuild a team after the Munich Air Disaster of February 1958 where Gregg’s actions on the runway earned him the respect of the mourning fans. On the international front Gregg boasts Schoolboy, Amateur and 25 Full International caps. He emerged from Northern Ireland’s triumphant World Cup in Sweden with the ‘Best Goalkeeper Award’.

As I walk up to the house I hear the sound of ‘Danny Boy’ being played on a piano. Surprisingly, the maestro is Gregg, a towering six foot figure who welcomes me in and kindly offers to show me his vast array of photos and memorabilia. It feels more like an enchanted museum tour than an interview, with the guide proving to be knowledgeable and intelligent far past the footballer stereotype. He shows me the scrapbooks he has been working on (“Red for United, Green for Northern Ireland”) as he talks eagerly about his past team-mates, be they a “brilliant player”, a “gentleman” or an “arsehole”. Surrounded by photos of great players, I feel out of place in the sitting room, but Harry’s relaxing manner is contagious as we begin the interview.

HD: Did you follow Irish League football as a youngster?
HG: When I was a schoolboy international, I got the chance to train with the late, great Belfast Celtic, and the manager was Elisha Scott. Here was a former goalkeeper with a wonderful record and a wonderful career for Ireland, and I’m very proud he said a short time later, that young Gregg was the only man who would ever pass him. It was the other side of the world for me, training at Celtic Park. Jackie Blanchflower who was training with us, took me to Grosvenor Park. It was the first time I had ever seen an Irish League game. Now for me, this was a big thing for a wee kid from the sticks who had thrown up on the train on the way down as a bag of nerves.

HD: How does Irish League football compare in your era to present day?
HG: When Belfast Celtic disbanded, look at where the players went. The goalkeeper Hughie Kelly went to the English League, Bonner went to Celtic, Jackie Vernon went to West Brom, Eddie McMorran went to Doncaster Rovers and Manchester City, Charlie Tully as well – How good was the Irish League then compared to now?

HD: At what levels did you represent Northern Ireland?
HG: I was very proud to represent my country at Schoolboy level. It was very difficult for a boy from a country town to get picked. David McClelland and myself were picked, which was a big thing in those days, and I got to go to Luxembourg and Monaco in the European Youth Championships. Then I got something which can’t be got nowadays, and that’s an amateur cap. I also played in an inter-league game against England where we got stuffed 9-0 against the likes of Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse. It meant I had the complete set of caps the way it worked out right through to senior level.

HD: What do you remember about your first cap?
HG: Ireland broke the mould that day – They brought in five new youngsters. They dropped Norman (Uprichard) and brought in me, they brought in Jackie Blanchflower, Billy McAdams, Peter McParland and Billy Bingham. In those days you didn’t do that. There were still selectors, but I think they were advised by Peter (Doherty), as that was starting to creep in. We played against the great John Charles that day, now there was a player! First time I seen John Charles play was at Rotherham; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

HD: Which cap meant the most?
HG: (Pauses) Two of them. The first and the last, because you have the beginning and then the sad part is the end. Pat Jennings took over from me in goal. People talk about the number of caps I’ve got, but I had domestic issues which I couldn’t talk about. I got hurt on one occasion, when I withdrew when we were due to play against Spain, and there was a suggestion that I was afraid of flying. I couldn’t come forward and say what was happening, but what hurt me was that people thought I was making excuses

HD: Who was the best player you ever played with?
HG: Peter Doherty was the greatest player I have been on the pitch with, and he was forty. He was worshipped by the Mercers, the Shanklys, his colleagues of all nationalities talked about Peter the Great. Bill Shankly used to call him the ginger tom, because you he’d pop up with a pass here and there and then a goal from nothing. He could do things at forty many top players now couldn’t. And he was a great manager. He took Ireland for the first time ever into the World Cup – we were a laughing stock going into it! I’ve heard it said, and I agree, that if Peter Doherty registered as a player for the World Cup – and remember we only took 17 out of a possible 22 players – then Northern Ireland would have went even further. That’s how brilliant he was.

HD: Was there good camaraderie amongst the Irish squad of your time?
HG: I remember walking around Wembley for the first time, the night before a game against England (1957). Gerry Morgan was the trainer. Now no one could describe that man. He had incredible wit. He was a huge big man with a bald head, huge teeth and he carried a toothbrush and comb in his top pocket. Here we were, walking around Wembley, 22 selectors and 11 players. One of the selectors was saying how great it was for wee Northern Ireland to be playing at Wembley, and Gerry piped up and said “Great my arse, the dogs have been running here for a hundred years!” He was some character. All these sports psychologists and science now – Gerry Morgan kept us all going. I roomed with him in Sweden, and if I wasn’t mad before I went, I certainly was when I came home!

HD: Was it difficult to qualify for the 1958 World Cup?
HG: We went to Rome, I loved that, to the Olympic Stadium and I had one of those days where nothing could go wrong. They beat us 1-0 with a free kick from the captain Curbato. What they did, was when the referee turned around they moved the ball. After that game, I was told I was going to be playing for Napoli but it never worked out. Then we beat Portugal at home, in front of a big crowd. And can I say something, and this is very important to me. Religion was never an issue. The manager was a Catholic, Peter McParland was a Catholic, Bertie Peacock played for Celtic, and it never came into it, not even among Joe Public. They were great crowds back then – We had 62,000 for the game against Italy where they had two players sent off.

HD: How did the Irish team play in Sweden?
HG: If you get a chance to look at a video of that World Cup, you look and see that if we ever won the centre, every ball was played into the corner or their box for (Billy) Bingham or McParland – no ball was ever played back. That team always started by attacking. They hunted everything, and every player in that team worked but they worked attacking wise. I hate this jargon today where it’s said about ‘keeping it tight at the back’. Doherty and Blanchflower never allowed us to keep it tight – We made sure we caused them problems!

HD: There are plenty of Danny Blanchflower quotes and stories
HG: I remember we played a match at Hampden Park, and it was ankle deep in mud as we were out on the pitch checking our studs. Well, we came back into the dressing room and Danny being Danny the superhero, had a bag of boots. So we were sitting there tightening our studs and Danny puts a pair of rubbers on him. Rubbers! This is unbelievable. He said to me, “Son, I can play in boots, play badly and feel uncomfortable. Or I can play in rubbers, play badly, but at least I’ll be comfortable.” He was an incredible being! When we beat England at Wembley in 1957, Walter Winterbottom said Ireland were lucky on the day. Danny said “Yes, rather be captain of a lucky team than a good team.” Danny’s influence on the pitch was huge. He maybe wasn’t the greatest player, but he was supremely confident. It was very sad at the end for him.

HD: Do you think Munich has overshadowed your footballing ability?
HG: Well, every time your name crops up, it’s Harry Gregg from the Munich Air Disaster. When I did the book, ‘Harry’s Game’, I did that because I wanted to be remembered for what I achieved as a young footballer from Windsor Avenue, Coleraine. Everyone talked about Harry Gregg, the Hero of Munich. I did not want to be associated with that, hence why I did the book because I wanted to be remembered for my football.

HD: You played a big role in bringing English clubs back to Northern Ireland during the Troubles
HG: In 1978, I got a phone call from some directors at Ballymena and Coleraine; I was manager of Crewe at the time. They were looking me to bring the team over for a pre season tour; an English club hadn’t been over for about eight years. Now Crewe couldn’t afford to go on tour to Liverpool, but it was agreed that they would foot the bill. Now my problem was telling the parents and wives, never mind the players, that we were going on tour to Northern Ireland. We played Ballymena, Coleraine, Linfield and Ards. That paved the way for other clubs to follow suit, and for the formation of the Milk Cup. I am very very proud that I was able to help break the ice.

HD: You returned to Manchester United as a coach
HG: I was invited back 17 years after I had left. When I returned to Old Trafford I could not believe it – I was fitter, than some of the top players. Do you know what time they reported for training? Half past ten. Do you know what time they left, bathed and showered? Twelve o’clock. I couldn’t believe it. Gary Bailie (United goalkeeper) and I would sit on a Monday afternoon with a video, because Manchester United had cameras all round Old Trafford, and tell him where he went wrong. I was doing that twenty, thirty years ago before all this technology took off.

HD: When you look back on your career what gives you the most pride?
HG: Forget I ever played this game. I’m more proud of producing players from the lower ranks. I’ve helped the careers of about 17 internationals. I’m more proud of that and of all I did for them when they were down, to talk to a lad and tell them ‘Go on son’. I was just multiplying what had been said to me from my coaches, Busby and Doherty. I always made sure we would never bore the players, the way sometimes I had been bored, I wanted to be taught, I wanted to be helped and I wanted to help other people.

HD: Are you jealous of footballers’ wages now?
HG: I don’t envy the money. The only thing I envy is that I’m too old to play it. To go to England and make it as a player, I took a drop in wages of £3, which was a lot of money in my day. I would have played football for nothing. It takes money to run the game, but it’s about the players on the pitch, and the supporters in the stand.

HD: What do you think of the current NI team?
HG: Sanchez has brought a bit of life to the team, and it’s great for the country. He’s had a bit of fortune because the wheel turns and we have a bit of talent coming through. I love to see these kids coming through, boys like the Davis, who is an exceptional player. He’s not having a great season but that happens to young players – including me – where you have a great run of form at the start and then a levelling out period. And he has one or two others, the boy from United, Jonny Evans who had a great game against the Spanish and the wee fella in the middle of the park, with the shaved head. (HD: Clingan?) Yes, I like him and I like the Birmingham player Johnson too – He can play. There will always be a little jewel to come through. The Davis’s of this world – That’s because the wheel has turned, don’t let anyone tell you it’s because of the coaching in Northern Ireland.

HD: What do think of the current proposals for a new stadium at the Maze/Long Kesh?
HG: I don’t think its right. Geographically it’s wrong, historically it’s wrong. Windsor Park was good enough for years but it has gone now because of capacity. The IFA want it (the Maze) because they get a few bucks out of it and don’t have to spend any money on it themselves. It is wrong that it is being used as a bargaining chip, and if the people of this country allow the British government to say if you don’t get the Maze, you’re getting nothing, then you deserve what you get.
It’s got to be in a city. All of the great stadiums I have played in have usually been in the big city of the respective country. However, I’m very very wary of these people who want to make a stadium in Belfast (The Durnien Proposal).

HD: How is it to play in a stadium with a running/greyhound track round it?
HG: Like Chelsea of old. It was a great stadium, but a terrible stadium to play at because there was no atmosphere. In my playing days the great stadiums to play at were West Ham, Highbury and White Hart Lane – You were close to the public. You’ve got to have atmosphere. There’s nothing worse than playing in a stadium with no atmosphere.

HD: Harry, It’s been a real pleasure and thanks for your hospitality.
HG: Anytime.

As I leave Harry to get his tea (I only heard his stomach rumble once during our four hour chat) I find myself humming ‘Danny Boy’ as I drive off before my Billy Joel cassette takes over. It is memories like this that I will treasure, and I like to think that someday, this will take pride or place in a scrapbook of my own