HARRY GREGG - THE RELUCTANT HERO

I was saddened to learn of the passing of hero survivor from the 1958 Munich air disaster Manchester United legend Harry Gregg who died this week at the age of 87. The Magherafelt native, who was once the world's most expensive goalkeeper, made a total of 210 appearances for the Old Trafford club following stints with Linfield, Coleraine and Doncaster Rovers respectively. A World Cup in 1958 followed with Northern Ireland, where he earned a total of 25 caps; this just months after walking away from the crash which would take away the lives of the majority of his teammates.

Like many, I was not fortunate enough to witness Harry's 'heroics' on the football pitch. But what sets Harry's 'Hero' status apart from other legendary names to have graced the beautiful game was that he was a real-life 'Hero' off the field too. 23 lives were lost when Manchester United's air-plane stopped in Munich to refuel in horrendous conditions. Twice they tried to take-off, twice they abandoned. The fateful third attempt via the snow-laden runway was to prove disastrous, crashing into a fence at the end of the runway before ploughing into a house and losing it's left wing.



In an act of complete selflessness, a still conscious Harry Gregg acted fast in pulling survivors from the burning wreckage. Among them was a Serbian woman and her baby daughter. TV footage many years later reunited them where he was told to his astonishment that she was also pregnant with a baby boy at the time too. When prompted by a journalist to respond to the gratitude received, a visibly emotional Gregg uttered the words "These people owe me nothing". It tells you everything you need to know about the man in one sentence.

Widely acknowledged in the annual commemorations to mark the tragedy, perhaps it's now time this legend of the club be given a lasting legacy in his death. Many supporters have been vociferous in their calls for Manchester United to have another national treasure immortalised alongside Best, Law, Charlton, Ferguson and Busby in the form of a statue at the Theatre of Dreams.

An ironic tribute given that while statues stand still - on that fateful day of the 6th of February 1958 - one courageous man thankfully, did not.

Harry Gregg, 'The Reluctant Hero', and one of our own - may you rest in peace.

MY D-ALE-YMOUNT EXPERIENCE

It was a match that won't live long in the memory as it ended in a stalemate at Dalymount Park where third placed Bohemians hosted fourth placed Derry City. Hot off the back of two very good away wins, both sides seemed content with the point apiece as the summer sunshine in north Dublin failed to hit the high temperatures on the pitch.

It was my first visit to the self-proclaimed 'Home of Irish Football' since Glentoran's 1-1 draw with Bohemians in the 2010 Setanta Cup.  My first impressions were good. The walk to the main entrance of the ground might not have been 'Wembley Way' but it did provide a sense of authenticity that this was working-class North inner-city Dublin, and this was football as it should be. It's surrounding alleyways were awash with red and black graffiti adorning various images telling a story of this particular part of Dublin's fair city and of this great club to which it belongs.  This is a club with a community at its heart, and a community who have football flowing through their veins.

The camaraderie amongst the home support was perhaps the most striking (certainly more-so than any on-field striking). Whether it be the pre-match buzz in the Members Bar, or the post-match analysis in the Phoenix over a pint of the superbly named 'D-ALE-YMOUNT Session IPA', this is a fan-base that share the same passion - 'De Bohs', and with plenty of colourful characters to boot.

The similiarities off the pitch are undoubtedly mirrored throughout the domestic clubs the length and breadth of the island.  During my many experiences following Glentoran for instance, I found common ground with Bohemians very easily.  On the pitch, the football has been decent, but both will admit they are a long way off mounting any real challenge in their respective leagues.

In the stands however, both sets of fans are living off former glories.

Much like Glentoran, 'the Gypsies' are playing in a stadium long past its sell-by date. As with the Oval stadium in East Belfast, Dalymount's demise unfortunately reflects a sign of the times in Irish domestic football. Whilst there are much more severe cases evident nationwide, the former home of the Republic of Ireland national team deserves more. It has been muted for years that a ground-share with near neighbours Shelbourne may be the way forward. This would be a fantastic idea from a financial perspective as it may also provide an opportunity for the club, and the FAI in particular, to regenerate their former national stadium.

Nonetheless, this didn't taint my visit in any way (admittedly the scoreless game did!). The Irish domestic game is a fantastic product and if marketed effectively attendances will inevitably increase. However, this cannot be done by the dye-in-the-wool fans alone.

Investment is key.

Stadia in general must move into the 21st Century, and hopefully performances by clubs in Europe can reap greater financial rewards. As with the 'Glens' of East Belfast, the 'Gypsies' of North Dublin must set their sights on attaining European football first and foremost - then maintaining it.

SHANE MOVE WILL SICKEN THE BIGOTS

Shane Ferguson in action for Northern Ireland

The Premier League's January Transfer window shut with a disappointing late surge of activity for many of the club's. However the same can't be said for Rangers FC who have completed the deadline day signing of FIVE Newcastle United players on loan deals. Of these five, perhaps the most interesting is the switch by Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson. The move will see the Derry native - a self confessed Celtic fan - join the Gers for the remainder of the season.

The news will come as a huge blow to the mindless minority of Old Firm supporters who still harbour the old sectarian attitudes of the past. Many of a Celtic-minded disposition will find the story of this young Roman Catholc - and former Gaelic footballer -  crossing the once well-guarded religious divide in Glasgow to join a club typecast as 'Loyalist and Protestant' troubling indeed. Others though, welcome it. The myth that Rangers only signed Protestant players has been exposed for what it is - a myth. But then sometimes you're damned if you do and damned if you dont. Take Republic of Ireland native Jon Daly's move to Ibrox last year for example. The player was berrated for breaking the mould and becoming the first post-troubles Irishman to play for the club. Thankfully, much of the vemon directed towards Dubliner Daly was limited to the usual bile that is often spewed on social media websites.

However, it is transfer activity such as this which can help break down the religious barriers that still exist in Glasgow today. But it is important to note, as history has told us before, the deep rooted hatred between the Old Firm support will never be totally eradicated, as the Mo Johnston saga confirmed. The rivalry is what it is. Love them or loathe them, it's what makes the game tick in Scotland and is the reason it is such a big draw for not just UK and Irish audiences, but on a global scale too.

With the Old Firm currently in different leagues, the prospect of a clash with his supposed boyhood favourites Celtic is now firmly off the menu for Shane. For the duration of his loan period, the player can let his footballing do the talking, and try to play his way back into the Newcastle United side. The talent is there in abundance, so it's now up to Shane to live up to those high expectations that had propelled him into international football at such a tender age.

Fair play to Shane for challenging the age-old stereotypes that all too often drag down the old firm.  Although, for the player this move will be seen as an opportunity for some much needed game time. His international manager Michael O'Neill will be espeically delighted considering the crucial couple of games coming up for Northern Ireland in the race for Euro 2016.

There's a reason the FAI were hoping he would defect, you know...

WORLD CUP LEGEND DESERVES OUR BEST WISHES

O'Neill on international duty for Northern Ireland

 

Former Northern Ireland captain Martin O’Neill is the man John Delaney and those nice chaps down at the FAI are closing in on to be new Republic of Ireland manager. It’s an obvious choice in my opinion, and one that unsurprisingly has been warmly welcomed by fans of the "Boys in Green".

The Derry man had successful spells at Leicester City, Celtic, Aston Villa and more recently Sunderland, which albeit ended somewhat prematurely.  However, it was only a few years ago O’Neill was touted as a possible successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Now, the man from Kilrea looks set to be presented with the opportunity to try his hand at international management with the Republic of Ireland. It's a proposal O'Neill would find very hard to refuse given that he was very nearly handed the England job at the peak of his managerial career.

Some might say trading one shade of green for another might be a bitter pill to swallow for many Northern Ireland fans, but is it really?

Let’s face facts.

Martin O’Neill has, and always will be, an advocate of an all-Ireland football team. He does not share the same sense of rivalry that many NI and ROI fans may have with one another. He simply does not see a border in footballing terms, therefore no matter which Irish side O’Neill had chosen to manage, you can guarantee he would be 100% behind either one. He is not alone in this view. Amongst others, George Best had said he would be just as comfortable representing a unified team as he was playing for Northern Ireland.  

This concept should not be viewed as a slap in the face to the Irish Football Association -  in fact, to the contrary. For when you delve into the proud history of football in Ireland prior to partition politically, the IFA were at the forefront of organising international and domestic football on an island-wide basis. It was only in 1921 and a decision taken by those based in the newly formed Irish Free State, and in particular it's capital in Dublin, that would serve to rock the very foundations of both the domestic game and international football on the island to the point where even today we are still feeling the tremors.  For the first time in sport, as it was politically, a complete severance of ties between North and South had now taken place.  

The local media on both sides of the border would have many believe a United Ireland football team is viable.  In truth, it has never been further away. The modern day Football Association of Ireland who represent the 26 county Republic of Ireland would not wish to give up their status within FIFA, therefore prospects of a unified 'Ireland' side competing in the near future are extremely unlikely.

Comparisons with rugby are drawn on a regular basis as this is organised on an all-Ireland basis.  But unlike rugby where the the IRFU had no split in it's association, relationships were somewhat strained in football circles. Belfast was football's original home in Ireland.  Perhaps the fact rugby was already based primarily in Dublin and the team played the vast majority of their home games at Lansdowne Road was a factor. Arguably, Ulster rugby could have gone down the 'breakaway' route (many still believe it should) but to date the IRFU remain unscathed from the wreckage of our troubled past.  

However, the unique situation football on this island finds itself in can not be placed at the door of Martin O'Neill.  He is merely grasping a chance to manage on the international stage with an Irish side, albeit not the one he hails from and represented with such pride all those years ago. In contrast, O'Neill's arrival in Dublin will see him reunited with fellow Derry native's James McClean and Darron Gibson, two players who used the IFA and Northern Ireland football as a stepping stone towards defecting to the FAI.  I am quite sure had the proposition of switching associations presented itself to O'Neill forty years ago it would been dismissed without a second thought.  Not many players from such a small footballing Nation can say they've been to two World Cups. O'Neill attended two.

Collectively, Northern Irish fans should be proud of Martin O'Neill's achievements both as a player and now as a high profile manager.  The FAI recognise he is the best man for the job and I would have to agree with their choice.  Of course, it will be uneasy for even the most liberal Northern Ireland supporter to see one of our former players paraded around Dublin before a rival association, but thats football.

But, unlike the bad blood of recent defections across the border, I look forward to seeing this move remain purely about football.  Leave the political baggage at the turnstiles.

Good luck Martin, and we look forward to your return to Windsor Park for the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Third time lucky perhaps...

ON THIS DAY IN 2005...

Venue: Windsor Park, Belfast

Result: Northern Ireland 1-0 England

Message to Michael and the boys: Brazil 2014... Believe.

A WORTHY CAUSE?

I publish this one hour since Northern Ireland's 2-1 defeat to Estonia in Belfast. One long, lonely, depressingly quiet hour (improved marginally by Montenegro's equaliser against England) to let the result at Windsor Park sink in.

The Green and White Army are in complete disarray.  (Michael O'Neill of Shamrock Rovers - are you watching?)

Whilst 2 wins in 22 may tell it's own tale, there have many contributing factors in Northern Ireland's spiralling fortunes of late. For example, take in the apparent increase in defections form the Northern pool of talent to the South. Take in the cry-off's from the likes of Kyle Lafferty who conveniently withdraws from the NI squad to play Serbia and Estonia, yet only to net the winner three days later for his club Rangers. Barring Lawrie's spat with George McCartney, our former expectation-less manager had it easy.

I myself, saw this belly-flop finale from Nigel Worthington's lads coming since the Faroe Islands back in October 2010.  It was that abysmal 1-1 result against Brian Kerr's minnows that highlighted all that is wrong with Northern Ireland under Nigel's leadership.  A defensive display in Italy or Spain can be excused, but to go to the mighty Faroe's with such tactics is nothing short of international footballing suicide.

At that moment Nigel's intentions were clear... "Should we score then, defend what we have."  It was an idea based on the great Arsenal sides of the 80's and 90's. "One-nil to the Ar-sen-il" was the frequent chant at Highbury.  The difference being though, Arsenal had the quality to back this footballing philosophy up. Northern Ireland simply don't.

As one of Northern Ireland's greatest ever left-backs, Nigel Worthington will go down as one of his country's most decorated players to wear the green and white shirt.  As the country's 9th most capped player with 66 appearances he can quite rightly be proud of his record.   It was unfortunate to listen to some of the home support calling out for the return of former manager Lawrie Sanchez to the fold. A cry for help, and some people turn to our greatest ever turncoat, second only to Darron Gibson.  These so called fans were quick to forget Sanchez's loyalty to his country whenever Fulham FC came calling.  From that perspective, Nigel's loyalty to Northern Ireland has been impeccable.  Yet, the Ballymena man has found it almost impossible to follow up on the days of Lawrie's legends doing a David versus Goliath job on the international giants of Spain, Sweden and England.

The placards of "Nigel Out" being waved around Windsor Park following the final whistle in the 2-1 dedeat to minnow Estonia however come as no surprise.  The fans frustration was always going to boil over into something a little more than a rant on the Nolan Show.  Yet, whilst this "Nigel Out" mentality resonates throughout large numbers of the green and white army, I do note the strong support for Nigel within large sections of the fan base.  It's an approval however that doesn't shout Nigel's approval, but instead nod's.

The problem for Nigel is, no-one can hear the nods.