MEMORIES OF FIRST AWAY TRIP
:
Nuremburg, November 1996 - Germany having just won the European Championships
and this was their first home match since that. Northern Ireland drew
1-1 with Gerry Taggart putting NI 1-0 up and Tommy Wright keeping the
Germans at Bay. "Who do you think you are kidding Mr Klinsmann?"
FAVOURITE / WORST AWAY TRIP :
Favourite:- Greece 2003 - Seeing the U21's win their last game before
being 'retired' for a few years. Breaking the 1000 minute mark of not
scoring a goal and counting it down. The ferociousness of the Greek fans
during the game when they weren't winning, and the friendliness of them
all at the Final Whistle once they'd qualified for a tournament they'd
go on to win.
Maddog's pitch invasion long after the match, the Greek police laughing
at him and an Elvis impersonator playing football with a balloon then
losing their smirk when he pretended to be a British 'Plane spotter'.
Sammy McIlroy coming over to thank the 500 fans for the singing throughout
the game and their support through our worst ever campaign, which turned
out to be Sammy's last game in charge.
FAVOURITE AWAY ROOM MATE :
Having shared with Skin, Rodney and Stu from our Club while being away
on trips, I'd have to recommend not staying with any of them!
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT SUPPORTING N.I. :
Liechtenstein 0 Northern Ireland 0
FAVOURITE N.I. GOALS :
James Quinn v Belgium, Healy v England/Austria/Denmark, Keith Gillespie
v Austria, Jimmy Quinn v Republic of Ireland
FAVOURITE N.I. PLAYERS OF ALL TIME :
Nigel Worthington - always gave it everything, Norman Whiteside, probably
my childhood hero, Iain Dowie - for his pure love of the country of his
mother and father and the passion that he continues to show
FAVOURITE N.I. PLAYER OF CURRENT SQUAD :
Jimmy Quinn. The one, the only. For Footballing reasons, he's the unsung
hero of our team. For off the pitch, he is a complete gentleman. For non-football
related reasons, you've all heard the story.... ;)
FAVOURITE N.I. MANAGER :
'Sir' Billy Bingham
DREAM N.I. TEAM :
Pat Jennings
Mal Donaghy
Nigel Worthington
Alan McDonald
Aaron Hughes
Steve Davis
George Best
Steve Lomas
Michael Hughes
David Healy
Iain Dowie
Subs: James Quinn, Keith Gillespie, John McClelland
BEST AND WORST N.I. KITS :
Best: The Quartered Green/Blue home shirt
Worst: The Quartered Red/White away top
FAVOURITE REPLICA SHIRT OR OTHER N.I. MERCHANDISE
:
The Nationwide Jacket I was 'given' in Warsaw.
THOUGHTS ON THE MAZE :
Richard O'Brien was the best presenter, but how did they ever collect
enough Gold Tickets and fewer Silver ones?
Not fussed on the Stadium out there for many reasons either, give me a
stadium in Belfast with a better pre-match atmosphere anyday.
YOUR IDEAL N.I. HOME STADIUM :
25k in Belfast. A mini Nou Camp
IF N.I. DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MAJOR TOURNAMENTS,
WHAT OTHER INTERNATIONAL TEAM WOULD YOU SUPPORT :
I've always given my support to Scotland if we're not there. Love to see
England do well then fail at the final hurdle.
DO YOU FOLLOW FOOTBALL AT JUNIOR, IRISH LEAGUE
OR CROSS-CHANNEL LEVEL ? :
Bangor FC (for my sins) and Chelsea FC (for all the good I've done)
INTEREST IN OTHER SPORTS :
Golf, Rugby Union and Pole Dancing (it takes a lot of skill)
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE BANGOR N.I.S.C.
DEVELOP ? :
Things can only get better for this Club. Look at the hoods they've left
in charge!
HOPES AND FEARS FOR THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL
IN GENERAL AND N.I. IN PARTICULAR :
English Football and cheap flights to the mainland are the main death
of the Local game which will have a great knock on effect to the NI team
itself.
The Local game needs to survive so that young players like Jeff Hughes
can get spotted and get their chance to go across the water
|
