THERE'S ALWAYS ONE
Born in Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire in December 1966, Shaun Schofield is the third of four children.

His father ran a wholesale newsagency and mother was a housewife and their hobbies included rugby, gardening, showing dogs and golf. As such, there was little footballing ‘stock’ and Shaun developed his own football interest via a television set, having never attending a football match prior to a childhood visit to Wembley in 1977.

Occasionally, the television rosters included live England international matches, or more particularly recorded highlights of the defunct home international championship. This gave an initial exposure to the Northern Ireland team, which burgeoned during the 1982 World Cup finals.
A chance remark in 3rd year geography at secondary school concerning the then communist dictatorship in Albania also played a bizarre part in Shaun’s support for Northern Ireland. In short, Shaun wanted to visit Albania.

By 1989, Shaun had moved away from home and was studying Sports Science at Roehampton Institute, whom positively encouraged spectating at sports events. Football wise, this incorporated regular visits to Wembley, and latterly abroad, to watch the England team.

The Albania wish, the love of international football, and the previous ‘lip service’ to Northern Ireland culminated in February 1993 with a trip to Albania as part of the Northern Ireland party.

Conversations with others in the party led to one supporter suggesting Shaun visit Belfast to watch Northern Ireland. This occurred in September 1994 and Shaun has never missed a home international since. Between June 1995 and June 2005, Shaun attended every one of Northern Ireland’s 78 full internationals.

This record has now been transferred into a book entitled, ‘There’s Always One’, which details the evolution of the Northern Ireland team and growing support, and personal memoirs of the travel and cultural experiences endured on this 10 year journey.

Published, by ‘Diable Vert Publishing’ and printed by Styletype of Glengormley, ‘There’s Always One’ is a unique venture in that all proceeds, once costs are covered, are to be donated to two Northern Ireland charities in Heartbeat and Action Cancer. The initial print run is 1,000 and with a full sale at £10, it is anticipated that £6,000 will be spilt between the charities. The foreword is by Irish Football Association President, Mr. Jim Boyce, and other contributions come from team manager Mr. Lawrie Sanchez, and former Minister for Sport, Ms. Kate Hoey M.P.