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Northern Ireland national football team

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Northern Ireland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Green and White Army, Norn Iron
AssociationIrish Football Association
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachNigel Worthington
CaptainAaron Hughes
Most capsPat Jennings (119)
Top scorerDavid Healy (35)
Home stadiumWindsor Park
FIFA codeNIR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current65
Highest27 (August 2007, April 2009)
Lowest124 (March 2004)
First international
 Ireland 0 - 13 England 
(Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882)
Biggest win
 Ireland 7 - 0 Wales 
(Belfast, Northern Ireland; 1 February 1930)
Biggest defeat
 Ireland 0 - 13 England 
(Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882)
World Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1958)
Best resultQuarterfinals, 1958, 1982

The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association (IFA). In 1921, the jurisdiction of the IFA was reduced to Northern Ireland following the secession of clubs in the soon-to-be Irish Free State, although its team purported to remain the national team for all of Ireland until 1950, and to use the name Ireland until the mid-1970s. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) organises the separate Republic of Ireland national football team.

History

Main article: Ireland national football team (1882–1950)

On 18 February 1882, fifteen months after the founding of the Irish FA, Ireland made their international debut against England, losing 13-0 in a friendly played at Bloomfield in Belfast. This remains the record win for England and the record defeat for the Northern Ireland team. On 25 February 1882, Ireland played their second international, against Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, and an equaliser from Johnston became Ireland’s first ever goal.

In 1884, Ireland competed in the inaugural British Home Championship and lost all three games. Ireland did not win their first game until 19 February 1887, a 4-1 win over Wales in Belfast. Between their debut and this game, they had a run of 14 defeats and 1 draw, the longest run without a win in the 1800s. Despite the end of this run, heavy defeats continued. On 3 March 1888 they lost 11-0 to Wales and three weeks later on 24 March they lost 10-2 to Scotland. Further heavy defeats came on 15 March 1890 when they lost 9-1 to England, on 18 February 1899 when they lost 13-2 to England and on 2 February 1901 when they lost 11-0 to Scotland.

In 1899 the Irish FA also changed its rules governing the selection of non-resident players. Before then the Ireland team selected its players exclusively from the Irish League, in particular the three Belfast-based clubs Linfield, Cliftonville and Distillery. On 4 March 1899 for the game against Wales, McAteer included four Irish players based in England. The change in policy produced dividends as Ireland won 1-0. Three weeks later, on 25 March one of these four players, Archie Goodall, aged 34 years and 279 days, became the oldest player to score in international football during the 19th century when he scored Ireland’s goal in a 9-1 defeat to Scotland.

In 1920 Ireland was partitioned into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. In 1922, Southern Ireland gained independence as the Irish Free State, later to become a republic under the name of Ireland. Amid these political upheavals, a rival football association, the Football Association of Ireland, emerged in Dublin in 1921 and organised a separate league and international team. In 1923, at a time when the home nations had withdrawn from FIFA, the FAI was recognised by FIFA as the governing body of the Irish Free State on the condition that it changed its name to the Football Association of the Irish Free State. The Irish FA continued to organise its national team on an all-Ireland basis.

Between 1928 and 1946 the IFA were not affiliated to FIFA and the two Ireland teams co-existed, never competing in the same competition. However, on 8 March 1950, in 0-0 draw with Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham in a World Cup qualifier, the IFA fielded a team that included four players who were born in the Irish Free State. All four players had previously played for the FAI in their qualifiers and as a result had played for two different associations in the same FIFA World Cup tournament.

After complaints from the FAI, FIFA intervened and restricted players' eligibility based on the political border. In 1953 FIFA ruled neither team could be referred to as Ireland, decreeing that the FAI team be officially designated as the Republic of Ireland, while the IFA team was to become Northern Ireland.

Past performances

British Home Championship

Until the 1950s, the major competition for Northern Ireland/Ireland was the British Home Championship. The team had won the competition eight times, taking the title outright on three occasions. They were the last winners of the now defunct competition held in 1984, and hence still are the British champions, and the trophy remains the property of the Irish FA.

World Cup

Northern Ireland's best World Cup performance was in their first appearance in the finals, the 1958 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals after beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the play-off. They were knocked out by France, losing 4-0. In the 1958 competition Northern Ireland became the smallest country to have qualified for the World Cup, a record that stood until Trinidad & Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Northern Ireland remains, however, the smallest country to have qualified for more than one World Cup finals tournament, the smallest country to win a World Cup finals match, the smallest country to have scored at a World Cup finals, and the smallest country to have reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland also qualified for the 1982 World Cup. Gerry Armstrong was a Northern Irish football player, who played during the 1970s and 1980s. He is best remembered for scoring the goal in the 1982 World Cup that enabled Northern Ireland to beat the tournament's hosts, Spain, in a shock 1-0 win again reaching the quarter-finals after topping the first stage group, Norman Whiteside became the youngest player ever in the World Cup finals, a record that still stands. In the 1986 World Cup, they reached the first round. Billy Bingham, a member of the 1958 squad, was manager for both of these tournaments. They have not qualified for any other World Cups.

European Championship

The side have yet to participate in their first European Championship finals. This is despite of the fact that Northern Ireland beat West Germany 1-0 both home and away in qualifiers for Euro 84; the latter was West Germany's first ever home defeat in either European Championship or World Cup qualifers. More recently, David Healy broke the record for goals scored in one Euro campaign, previously held by Davor Suker of Croatia, by scoring 13 times in Northern Ireland's attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.

Recent history

The Our Wee Country mural in east Belfast commemorating Northern Ireland beating England at home in 2005.

Lawrie Sanchez was appointed in January 2004 after a run of ten games without a goal under the previous manager Sammy McIlroy, which was a world record for any international team. That run ended after his first game in charge, a 1–4 defeat to Norway in a friendly in February 2004. The run of sixteen games without a win ended after his second game, a 1–0 victory in a friendly over Estonia, with a largely experimental side, in March 2004.

On 7 September 2005, Northern Ireland beat England 1–0 in a 2006 World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park. David Healy scored the winner in the 73rd minute. Almost a year later, on 6 September 2006, Northern Ireland defeated Spain 3–2 in a qualifier for Euro 2008, with Healy scoring a hat-trick. In June 2007 Nigel Worthington was named manager in the place of Lawrie Sanchez, who took over at Fulham. Initially Worthington took over until the end of the Euro 2008 qualifiers but was later given a contract until 2010.

History in major tournaments

Main article: Northern Ireland national football team - record in major tournaments

World Cup

European Championship

Summary of all Northern Ireland's competitive results

All competitive matches [citation needed]‡
P W D L F A Gd
466 116 100 250 503 952 -451
All matches including friendlies [2][3]‡
P W D L F A Gd
558 139 126 293 592 1114 -522

Data correct as of Northern Ireland v Serbia, 14 November 2009

The team have also won the Home Championship 8 times, including 5 shared.

Fixtures and results

2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)

Northern Ireland were drawn from the third pot during the UEFA group draw. They began their campaign to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on September 6, 2008 playing away against Slovakia, (lost 2–1). Four days later they hosted the Czech Republic and held them to a scoreless draw. Northern Ireland then lost their third qualification match 2–0 at Slovenia, leaving the Northern Ireland side with only one point and one goal scored through three matches. However, they bounced back for back-to-back victories over UEFA minnows San Marino by scores of 4–0 and 3–0, lifting them to second equal in the group with seven points and a goal difference of +4 with half of their group matches remaining. In the following round of matches Northern Ireland maintained their winning streak by defeating Poland 3-2 at Windsor Park; however, the match was marred by riots before kick-off. Northern Ireland then defeated Slovenia 1-0 in their next qualification match to ensure they remained 2nd in their qualifying group. In September 2009 the team travelled to Poland, where pre-match planning by the footballing federations of both teams and the police ensured that a repeat of the riots in Belfast did not happen this time around. The game ended 1-1 after Northern Ireland took the lead through Kyle Lafferty, but Poland levelled in the 78th minute through Lewandowski. Template:2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 3

Euro 2012 qualifying

Main article: UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying

Northern Ireland were drawn in to Group C alongside Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands. The draw was held On Sunday 7 February 2010.

Standings

Legend
Group winners and best runner-up among all groups directly qualify for the finals
Remaining group runners-up advance to the play-offs

Template:UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group C

2011 International Friendly matches

Northern Ireland matches in 2011:[4]

Date Venue Opponent Score Competition Goalscorers (Career goal)
9 February 2011 Republic of Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin  Scotland 3–0 L 2011 Nations Cup
24 May 2011 Republic of Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin  Republic of Ireland 5-0 L 2011 Nations Cup
27 May 2011 Republic of Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin  Wales – 2011 Nations Cup

Controversy and sectarianism

Some of Northern Ireland's fans are perceived as sectarian by Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland society.[5] Neil Lennon, a Roman Catholic who had been subject to boos and jeers from some supporters while playing for Northern Ireland in Windsor Park, was issued with a death-threat by Loyalists and retired from international football as a result.[6]

Steps have been taken to eradicate the sectarian element within the support.[7] Lennon has been quick to praise these initiatives, although added that because of Windsor Park's location it still "can be an intimidating place for Catholics to go. But the IFA have made huge strides."[8] He also praised the "Football For All" Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Stewart MacAfee,[9] for the work they have carried out to create a more inclusive atmosphere at international games.

People like Stewart are the unsung heroes who have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and who have actively created a more fun, safe and family-orientated atmosphere at international games. Fans like Stewart have made the atmosphere at Northern Ireland football games in recent years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts.

— Neil Lennon

Steps by the IFA to promote Football For All continue. At a friendly match in Dublin in 2011 against Scotland, the IFA carried out an inquiry following an incident in which a minority number of drunken fans sang sectarian songs.[10][11] One fan who was identified in the inquiry was said to be in line for a lifetime ban from receiving tickets to any future Northern Ireland home or away games.[12]

Stadium

Main article: Windsor Park
Windsor Park - a view from the Kop Stand, showing the two-tiered North Stand and the low Railway stand behind the opposite goal

Northern Ireland play their home matches at Windsor Park, Belfast, home of Linfield F.C., which they have use of on a 108 year lease, giving the owners 15% of revenue, including gate receipts and TV rights.[13]

There was a proposal to build a multisports stadium for Northern Ireland at the disused Maze prison outside Lisburn for the use of Rugby, Gaelic games and football.[14] This plan was given an "in principle" go-ahead by the Irish Football Association. However, it was opposed by fans, over 85% of whom in a match day poll conducted by the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs ("AONISC") preferred to stay at a smaller new or redeveloped ground in the city of Belfast.[15] The AONISC organised a protest against the move to the Maze at the game against Estonia in March 2006.

The issue assumed ever greater urgency by 2007, following a series of inspections which questioned the suitability of Windsor Park to host international football.[16] Following a reduction of capacity due to the closure of the Railway Stand, the IFA made it known that they wished to terminate their contract for the use of the stadium.[17] A report on health and safety in October 2007 indicated that the South Stand might have to be closed for internationals, which would further reduce the stadium's capacity to 9,000.[18] In April 2008, Belfast City Council announced that they had commissioned Drivers Jonas to conduct a feasibility study into the building of a Sports Stadium in Belfast which could accommodate international football, which was followed at the beginning of May 2008 by speculation that the Maze Stadium project was going to be radically revised by Peter Robinson, the Finance and Personnel Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly, so that any construction might be used for purposes other than football, rugby union and Gaelic games. Given the time that is needed to build a new stadium, in the absence of significant work improving Windsor Park, Northern Ireland may be forced to play their home games at a venue outside Northern Ireland for a period.

In March 2009, proposals were announced for the construction of a new 25,000 seat stadium in the Sydenham area of East Belfast as an alternative to the Maze proposal. This would form part of a major development, with links to both George Best Belfast City Airport and the Bangor railway line. The development would also include a hotel, and retail/leisure areas. The stadium itself would be used for both football and rugby union, with Glentoran and Ulster Rugby intended as tenants. However, Ulster GAA, who were a partner in the Maze proposal, have stated that in the event of a new stadium being built in East Belfast, which is a major unionist area, their preference would then be to remain at Casement Park in nationalist West Belfast.[19]

The IFA were initially non-committal about any of the proposals for improving their facilities, be it rebuilding Windsor Park, or supporting either the Maze or Sydenham proposals. However, in September 2009, they issued an announcement in favour of the redevelopment of Windsor Park.[20] Although there were no specifics to this, Linfield had previously released a study with two proposals, of which the major one would be a £20m rebuilding of the stadium, raising capacity to 20,000.[21]

Since the defeat of England in 2005 there has been an increased demand for tickets outstripping supply.[22] Tongue-in-cheek songs such as "We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland" (sung to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, an American Civil War song), 'It's Just Like Watching Brazil' and 'Stand up for the Ulstermen' are popular at home matches. In 2006, Northern Ireland's supporters were awarded the Brussels International Supporters Award[citation needed] for their charity work, general good humour and behaviour and efforts to stamp out sectarianism. Representatives of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs received the award from UEFA and EU representatives prior to the Northern Ireland versus Spain game at Windsor Park in September 2006.

Players

Current squad

The following players have been called up to the squad for the 2011 Nations Cup match against Republic of Ireland on May 24 and Wales on May 27 2011.[23]

Caps and goals updated as 29 March 2011.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Alan Blayney (1981-09-10) 10 September 1981 (age 43) 4 0 Northern Ireland Linfield
1GK Jonathan Tuffey (1987-01-20) 20 January 1987 (age 37) 7 0 Scotland Inverness Caledonian Thistle
2DF Craig Cathcart (1989-02-06) 6 February 1989 (age 35) 3 0 England Blackpool
2DF Colin Coates (1985-10-26) 26 October 1985 (age 39) 4 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders
2DF Lee Hodson (1991-10-02) 2 October 1991 (age 33) 2 0 England Watford
2DF Gareth McAuley (1979-12-05) 5 December 1979 (age 44) 28 2 England Ipswich Town
2DF Ryan McGivern (1990-01-08) 8 January 1990 (age 34) 12 0 England Manchester City
2DF Adam Thompson (1992-09-28) 28 September 1992 (age 32) 1 0 England Watford
3MF Josh Carson (1993-06-03) 3 June 1993 (age 31) 0 0 England Ipswich Town
3MF Sammy Clingan (1984-01-13) 13 January 1984 (age 40) 27 0 England Coventry City
3MF Stuart Dallas (1991-04-19) 19 April 1991 (age 33) 0 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders
3MF Steven Davis (1985-01-01) 1 January 1985 (age 39) 45 2 Scotland Rangers
3MF Robert Garrett (1988-05-05) 5 May 1988 (age 36) 1 0 Northern Ireland Linfield
3MF Johnny Gorman (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 (age 32) 6 0 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
3MF Niall McGinn (1987-07-20) 20 July 1987 (age 37) 10 0 Scotland Celtic
3MF Oliver Norwood (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 (age 33) 1 0 England Manchester United
4FW Liam Boyce (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 33) 2 0 Germany Werder Bremen II
4FW Warren Feeney (1981-01-17) 17 January 1981 (age 43) 40 5 England Oldham Athletic - class="nat-fs-player" 4FW Josh McQuoid (1989-12-15) 15 December 1989 (age 34) 2 0 England Millwall
4FW Jordan Owens (1989-07-09) 9 July 1989 (age 35) 0 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders

Recent callups

The following players have been called up to the Northern Ireland squad during the last 12 months.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Trevor Carson (1988-03-05) 5 March 1988 (age 36) 1 0 England Sunderland
1GK Alan Mannus (1982-05-19) 19 May 1982 (age 42) 4 0 Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers
1GK Michael McGovern (1984-07-12) 12 July 1984 (age 40) 1 0 Scotland Ross County
1GK Maik Taylor (1971-09-04) 4 September 1971 (age 53) 87 0 England Birmingham City
2DF Rory McArdle (1987-05-01) 1 May 1987 (age 37) 4 0 Scotland Aberdeen
2DF Ryan McGivern (1990-01-08) 8 January 1990 (age 34) 12 0 England Walsall
2DF Colin Coates (1985-10-26) 26 October 1985 (age 39) 4 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders
2DF George McCartney Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day 34 1 England Sunderland
3MF Oliver Norwood (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 (age 33) 2 0 England Manchester United
3MF Adam Barton (1991-01-07) 7 January 1991 (age 33) 1 0 England Preston North End
3MF Michael O'Connor (1987-10-06) 6 October 1987 (age 37) 10 0 England Scunthorpe United
3MF Kevin Braniff (1983-03-04) 4 March 1983 (age 41) 1 0 Northern Ireland Portadown
3MF Michael Bryan (1990-02-21) 21 February 1990 (age 34) 2 0 England Watford
3MF Robert Garrett (1988-05-05) 5 May 1988 (age 36) 1 0 Northern Ireland Linfield
3MF Damien Johnson (1978-11-18) 18 November 1978 (age 45) 56 0 England Plymouth Argyle
3MF Jamie Mulgrew (1986-06-05) 5 June 1986 (age 38) 1 0 Northern Ireland Linfield
3MF Dean Shiels (1985-02-01) 1 February 1985 (age 39) 9 0 England Doncaster Rovers
3MF Jamie Ward (1986-05-12) 12 May 1986 (age 38) 0 0 England Sheffield United
4FW David Healy (1979-08-05) 5 August 1979 (age 45) 85 35 Scotland Rangers
4FW Rory Patterson (1984-07-16) 16 July 1984 (age 40) 5 1 England Plymouth Argyle
4FW Josh Magennis (1990-08-15) 15 August 1990 (age 34) 3 0 Scotland Aberdeen - class="nat-fs-player" 4FW Josh McQuoid (1989-12-15) 15 December 1989 (age 34) 1 0 England Millwall
4FW Billy Kee (1990-12-01) 1 December 1990 (age 33) 0 0 England Torquay United
4FW Andy Kirk (1979-05-29) 29 May 1979 (age 45) 10 0 Scotland Dunfermline Athletic
4FW James Lawrie (1990-12-18) 18 December 1990 (age 33) 3 0 England Telford United
4FW Andrew Little (1989-05-12) 12 May 1989 (age 35) 7 0 Scotland Rangers
4FW Martin Paterson (1987-05-10) 10 May 1987 (age 37) 12 0 England Burnley

Player records

Northern Ireland players with 50 or more caps

As of 14 November 2010, the players with the most caps for Northern Ireland are:

Alan McDonald, who played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
# Name Career Caps Goals
1 Pat Jennings 1964–1986 119 0
2 Mal Donaghy 1980–1994 91 0
3 Sammy McIlroy 1972–1987 88 5
4 Maik Taylor 1999–present 87 0
5 Keith Gillespie 1995–2008 86 2
6 David Healy 2000–present 85 35
7 Aaron Hughes 1998–present 76 0
8 Jimmy Nicholl 1976–1986 73 1
9 Michael Hughes 1992–2004 71 5
10 David McCreery 1976–1990 67 0
11 Nigel Worthington 1984–1997 66 0
12 Martin O'Neill 1972–1985 64 8
13 Gerry Armstrong 1977–1986 63 12
14= Iain Dowie 1990–2000 59 12
14= Terry Neill 1961–1973 59 2
16= Billy Bingham 1951–1964 56 10
16= Danny Blanchflower 1950–1963 56 2
16= Damien Johnson 1999–2010 56 0
19 Jimmy McIlroy 1952–1966 55 10
20= Allan Hunter 1970–1980 53 1
20= John McClelland 1980–1990 53 1
20= Stephen Craigan 2003–present 53 5
23= Jim Magilton 1991–2002 52 5
23= Alan McDonald 1986–1996 52 3
25= Sammy Nelson 1970–1982 51 1
25= Chris Nicholl 1975–1984 51 3
25= Gerry Taggart 1990–2002 51 7
28= Bryan Hamilton 1969–1980 50 4
28= James Quinn 1996–2007 50 4

Top Ireland / Northern Ireland goalscorers

David Healy, the current top goalscorer of Northern Ireland
# Player Career Goals (Caps) Goals per game
1 David Healy 2000–present 35 (85) 0.41
2= Billy Gillespie 1913–1932 13 (25) 0.52
2= Colin Clarke 1986–1993 13 (38) 0.34
4= Joe Bambrick 1928–1940 12 (11) 1.09
4= Gerry Armstrong 1977–1986 12 (63) 0.19
4= Jimmy Quinn 1985–1996 12 (46) 0.26
4= Iain Dowie 1990–2000 12 (59) 0.20
8 Olphie Stanfield 1887–1897 11 (30) 0.37
9= Billy Bingham 1951–1964 10 (56) 0.18
9= Jimmy McIlroy 1952–1966 10 (55) 0.18
9= Peter McParland 1954–1962 10 (34) 0.29
9= Johnny Crossan 1960–1968 10 (24) 0.42

Managers

Current coaching staff

Media coverage

Sky Sports currently have the rights to show Northern Ireland's home international fixtures after many years of the games being exclusively live on BBC Northern Ireland. The decision to sell to Sky was met with disapproval.[24][dead link], however BBC Northern Ireland have bought the rights to some away games and highlights of all home matches. Setanta Sports bought rights to all but one of Northern Ireland away games. However the future of these rights is uncertain as Setanta's UK operation has ceased. The match that wasn't bought by Setanta was shown on BBC NI on Match of the Day from Northern Ireland.

See also

References

  1. ^ The official Elo ratings pages combine the pre-1923 IFA team's results with the post-1923 FAI team. The highest ranking for the pre-1923 team is 4th, in 1882-5.("World Football Elo Ratings: Ireland". Retrieved 2007-02-14.) The "new" Northern Ireland team is introduced to the Elo ranking in 1923, with an initial points total higher than the FAI team inherits from the "old" IFA team: 1600 as opposed to 1522. The highest rank the IFA team subsequently attains, based on this, is 15th, in May 1986.("World Football Elo Ratings: Northern Ireland". Retrieved 2007-02-14.)
  2. ^ Irish Football Association (2009). Official Souvenir Programme: Northern Ireland vs Serbia. Belfast:Irish Football Association
  3. ^ Jackson, Lyle (2009-11-14). "BBC:''Northern Ireland 0-1 Serbia''". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  4. ^ "Northern Ireland Senior Fixtures & Results (Official Website)".
  5. ^ Brian McNally (2010-03-05). "Why Northern Ireland continue to pay the price for abuse dished out to Neil Lennon". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  6. ^ Tim Rich (2002-08-23). "Death threat forces Lennon to place family feelings first". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  7. ^ "BBC News Star helps in graffiti removal". 30 October 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Lennon hails anti-sectarian drive". BBC News. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  9. ^ "PRAISE FOR IFA'S FOOTBALL FOR ALL AWARDS NIGHT".
  10. ^ "Holding pen plan is dismissed by Northern Ireland supporters' group". Belfast Telegraph. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  11. ^ "Ballymena's Denver Gage faces sectarian songs probe". BBC. 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  12. ^ "Irish FA to ban Northern Ireland fan after chants". BBC News. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  13. ^ "IFA wants out of Windsor contract". BBC News. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  14. ^ "Lord's Hansard on the question of building an NI national stadium".
  15. ^ "Tide Turns Against The Maze".
  16. ^ Report slams Windsor Park safety BBC News
  17. ^ IFA wants out of Windsor contract BBC News
  18. ^ South Stand future under threat BBC News
  19. ^ Plans for £128m Belfast stadium unveiled - The Independent, 25/03/09
  20. ^ IFA 'backs Windsor as NI stadium' - BBC News, 07/09/09
  21. ^ Linfield FC has £20m stadium plan - BBC News, 12/06/09
  22. ^ "BBC news story on NI ticket sales". BBC News. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  23. ^ "NI SQUAD NAMED". Irish FA. 17 May 2011.
  24. ^ http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/article3199017.ece. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)


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