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Northern Ireland
Nickname(s)	Green & White Army, Norn Iron
Association	Irish Football Association
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Nigel Worthington
Asst coach	Glynn Snodin
Captain	Aaron Hughes
Most caps	Pat Jennings (119)
Top scorer	David Healy (33)
Home stadium	Windsor Park
FIFA code	NIR
FIFA ranking	32
Highest FIFA ranking	27 (August 2007)
Lowest FIFA ranking	124 (March 2004)
Elo ranking	67
Highest Elo ranking	4 or 15[1] (1882-5 or May 1986)
Lowest Elo ranking	97 (February 2004)
Home colours 　 Away colours
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
Appearances	3 (First in 1958)
Best result	Quarterfinals, 1958, 1982

The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football, it had previously represented the whole of Ireland' as the Ireland national football team, and is the fourth oldest international footbal team in the world. In such events, the constituent countries of the United Kingdom compete separately, though not in the Olympic Games. Before 1921, all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom and was represented by a single Ireland team, of which Northern Ireland is the continuation. The independent Republic of Ireland now has its own team.

Contents 1 History 2 Past performances 2.1 British Home Championship 2.2 World Cup 2.3 European Championship 2.4 Recent history 3 Current campaigns 3.1 World Cup 3.2 Celtic Cup 4 Controversy and sectarianism 5 Stadium 6 Popular culture 7 Current players 8 Coaching staff 9 History in major tournaments 9.1 World Cup 9.2 European Championships 10 Notable former players 11 Managers 12 Player records 12.1 Ireland / Northern Ireland players with 50 or more caps 12.2 Top Ireland / Northern Ireland goalscorers 13 See also 14 References 15 Media coverage 16 External links

On February 18 1882, two years after the founding of the Irish FA, Ireland made their international debut against England, losing 13-0 in a friendly played at Bloomfield Park in Belfast. This remains the record win for England and the record defeat for the Northern Ireland team. The Irish line-up that day included Samuel Johnston, who at the age of 15 years and 153 days became the youngest international debutant of the 1800s. On February 25 1882 Ireland played their second international against Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham and an equaliser from Johnston became Ireland’s first ever goal. The goal also saw Johnston become the 1800s youngest ever international goalscorer.

In 1884 Ireland competed in the inaugural British Home Championship and lost all three games. Ireland did not win their first game until February 19 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 to blight Ireland’s record. On March 3 1888 they lost 11-0 to Wales and three weeks later on March 24 they lost 10-2 to Scotland. Further heavy defeats came on March 15 1890 when they lost 9-1 to England, on February 18 1899 when they lost 13-2 to England and on February 2 1901 when they lost 11-0 to Scotland.

In 1899 the Irish FA also changed it’s rules governing the selection of non-resident players. Before then the Ireland team selected it’s players exclusively form the Irish League, in particular the three Belfast-based clubs Linfield, Cliftonville and Distillery. On March 4 1899 for the game against Wales, McAteer included four Irish players based in England. The change in policy produced dividends as Northern Ireland won 1-0. Three weeks later, on March 25 one of these four players, Archie Goodall, aged 34 years and 279 days, became the oldest player to score in international football during the 1800s 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 Republic 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 it’s 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 March 8 1950, in a 0-0 draw with Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, the IFA fielded a team that included four players who were born in the Irish Free State. As well as being part of the qualifier for the 1950 FIFA World Cup. 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. The IFA objected and in 1954 was permitted to continue using the name Ireland, and to select players from throughout the island in the non-FIFA regulated British Home Championship.

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

Northern Ireland's best World Cup performance was in their first appearance in the competition, 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, and the smallest country to have reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland also qualified for the 1982 World Cup, again reaching the quarter-finals after topping the first stage group, having beaten Spain, the hosts 1-0. In 1982, Norman Whiteside became the youngest ever player 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.

The side have yet to participate in their first European Championship finals.

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 to the day later, on 6 September 2006, Northern Ireland defeated Spain 3-2 in a qualifier for Euro 2008, with Healy scoring a hat-trick. Healy also scored all of Northern Ireland's goals in the 2-1 victory over Sweden in the same qualification group. Healy has scored thirteen out of Northern Ireland's fifteen Euro 2008 qualification goals so far in seven matches, and is the leading goalscorer in the competition so far.

Here is a summary of all Northern Ireland's competitive results (friendly matches not counted):

All competitive matches before and after partition ^‡

P	W	D	L	F	A	Gd
450	110	96	244	483	938	-455

All matches including friendlies ^‡

P	W	D	L	F	A	Gd
524	130	118	276	556	1046	-490

^‡ Data correct as of N.Ireland v Sweden 28 March 2007^{[citation needed]}

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

See the main article 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 3

Northern Ireland are to begin a campaign to qualify for the 2010 World cup, they were seeded in the third pot

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Czech Republic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Poland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Northern Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Slovakia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Slovenia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  San Marino 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

N. Ireland are due to play against the teams of Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland in a biannual round robin tournament starting in 2009.

Some of Northern Ireland's fans have been perceived as sectarian by opposing elements in Northern Irish society. Neil Lennon, the former captain of Celtic F.C. and current Nottingham Forest player, was given a death-threat by Loyalists in Rathcoole after having been subject to boos and jeers from some supporters while playing for Northern Ireland in Windsor Park. Steps have been taken to eradicate the sectarian element within the support,^[2] and these have proved to be very successful^[3]. Lennon has been quick to heap praise on the Northern Ireland fans,^[4] and in particular "Football For All" Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Stewart MacAfee,^[5] 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

Northern Ireland play their home matches at Windsor Park, home of Linfield F.C., which they have use of on a one hundred year lease, giving the owners 15% of the gate receipts^[6].

There is currently speculation of building a multi sports stadium for Northern Ireland at the disused Maze prison outside Lisburn for the use of Rugby, Gaelic games and football.^[7] This plan has been given an "in principle" go-ahead by the Irish Football Association. However, it is opposed by fans, over 85% of whom in a match day poll (of unknown methodology conducted by an interested party) preferred to stay at a smaller new or redeveloped ground in the city of Belfast ^[8]. The Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs organised a protest against the move to the Maze at the game against Estonia in March 2006.

In 2007, following a series of inspections that questioned the suitability of Windsor Park to host international football^[9], combined with 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.^[10] There has been speculation about the construction of a new multi-purpose stadium either in Belfast or in Lisburn for football and Gaelic games. A report on health and safety in October 2007 proposed that the South Stand be closed for internationals, reducing the stadium's capacity to 9,000.^[11] Given the time that would be needed to build a new stadium, either significant work would have to be done improving Windsor Park, or else Northern Ireland may have to play their home games at a venue outside Northern Ireland

Since the defeat of England in 2005 there has been an increase of national pride in the team, with demand for tickets outstripping supply.^[12][13] Tongue-in-cheek songs such as "We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland" (sung to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic) and 'It's Just Like Watching Brazil' are popular at home matches.

In 2006, Northern Ireland's supporters were awarded the Brussels International Supporters Award,^[14] for their efforts to stamp out sectarianism, charity work and general good humour and behaviour. 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. The team have various supporters' clubs and the Our Wee Country fans' website.

The following players have all been called up to the Northern Ireland squad within the last 12 months. (updated 21 November 2007)

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Goals Club GK Maik Taylor September 4, 1971 (1971-09-04) (age 36) 66 0 Birmingham City GK Roy Carroll September 30, 1977 (1977-09-30) (age 30) 19 0 Rangers GK Michael Ingham July 9, 1980 (1980-07-09) (age 27) 3 0 Hereford GK Alan Mannus May 19, 1982 (1982-05-19) (age 25) 1 0 Linfield DF Aaron Hughes November 8, 1979 (1979-11-08) (age 28) 57 0 Fulham DF Stephen Craigan October 29, 1976 (1976-10-29) (age 31) 32 0 Motherwell DF Chris Baird February 25, 1982 (1982-02-25) (age 25) 30 0 Fulham DF George McCartney April 29, 1981 (1981-04-29) (age 26) 23 1 West Ham DF Tony Capaldi August 12, 1981 (1981-08-12) (age 26) 21 0 Cardiff City DF Michael Duff January 11, 1978 (1978-01-11) (age 29) 20 0 Burnley DF Jonny Evans January 3, 1988 (1988-01-03) (age 19) 8 0 Manchester United DF Gareth McAuley December 5, 1979 (1979-12-05) (age 28) 7 0 Leicester City DF Sean Webb January 4, 1983 (1983-01-04) (age 24) 3 0 Accrington Stanley DF Jeff Hughes May 29, 1985 (1985-05-29) (age 22) 1 0 Crystal Palace MF Keith Gillespie February 18, 1975 (1975-02-18) (age 32) 79 2 Sheffield United MF Damien Johnson November 18, 1978 (1978-11-18) (age 29) 46 0 Birmingham City MF Stuart Elliott July 23, 1978 (1978-07-23) (age 29) 37 4 Hull City MF Steven Davis January 1, 1985 (1985-01-01) (age 22) 25 1 Fulham MF Grant McCann April 14, 1980 (1980-04-14) (age 27) 17 1 Barnsley MF Chris Brunt December 14, 1984 (1984-12-14) (age 23) 13 0 West Brom MF Sammy Clingan January 13, 1984 (1984-01-13) (age 23) 13 0 Nottingham Forest MF Ivan Sproule February 18, 1981 (1981-02-18) (age 26) 10 1 Bristol City MF Steve Robinson December 10, 1974 (1974-12-10) (age 33) 7 0 Luton Town FW David Healy August 5, 1979 (1979-08-05) (age 28) 62 33 Fulham FW Steve Jones October 25, 1976 (1976-10-25) (age 31) 29 1 Burnley FW Warren Feeney January 17, 1981 (1981-01-17) (age 26) 23 3 Cardiff City FW Kyle Lafferty September 16, 1987 (1987-09-16) (age 20) 13 3 Burnley FW Peter Thompson May 2, 1984 (1984-05-02) (age 23) 6 0 Linfield FW Gary Hamilton October 6, 1980 (1980-10-06) (age 27) 5 0 Glentoran FW Dean Shiels February 1, 1985 (1985-02-01) (age 22) 4 0 Hibernian FW Martin Paterson May 10, 1987 (1987-05-10) (age 20) 1 0 Scunthorpe United

• Manager: Nigel Worthington
• Assistant Manager: Glynn Snodin
• Goalkeeping coach Fred Barber
• Physio: Terry Hayes

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

• 1930 to 1938 - Did not enter
• 1950 to 1954 - Did not qualify
• 1958 - Quarter-finals
• 1962 to 1978 - Did not qualify
• 1982 - Last twelve
• 1986 - Round 1
• 1990 to 2006 - Did not qualify

• 1960 - Did not enter
• 1964 to 2008 - Did not qualify

See also: :Category:Northern Ireland international footballers

Goalkeepers Elisha Scott Harry Gregg Pat Jennings Willie McFaul Jim Platt Tommy Wright

Defenders Danny Blanchflower Jackie Blanchflower Dave Clements Mal Donaghy Allan Hunter John McClelland Alan McDonald Alf McMichael Terry Neill Sammy Nelson Chris Nicholl Jimmy Nicholl John O'Neill Pat Rice Gerry Taggart Nigel Worthington

Midfielders George Best Billy Bingham Noel Brotherston Wilbur Cush Bryan Hamilton Michael Hughes Neil Lennon Steve Lomas Jim Magilton David McCreery Jimmy McIlroy Sammy McIlroy Peter McParland Jimmy Nicholson Martin O'Neill Michael O'Neill Bertie Peacock Danny Wilson

Strikers Gerry Armstrong Colin Clarke Peter Doherty Derek Dougan Iain Dowie Billy Hamilton Jimmy McIlroy Jimmy Quinn Norman Whiteside Kevin Wilson

Gerry Armstrong, The scorer of Northern Ireland's winning goal over Spain in the 1982 World cup

• Peter Doherty (1951–1962)
• Bertie Peacock (1962–1967)
• Billy Bingham (1967–1971)
• Terry Neill (1971–1975)
• Dave Clements (1975–1976)
• Danny Blanchflower (1976–1979)
• Billy Bingham (1980–1994)
• Bryan Hamilton (1994–1998)
• Lawrie McMenemy (1998–1999)
• Sammy McIlroy (2000–2003)
• Lawrie Sanchez (2004–2007)
• Nigel Worthington (2007–present)

As of 21 November 2007, the players with the most caps for Northern Ireland are:

#	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	Keith Gillespie	1995 - present	79	2
5	Jimmy Nicholl	1976 - 1986	73	1
6	Michael Hughes	1992 - 2004	71	5
7	David McCreery	1976 - 1990	67	0
8	Nigel Worthington	1984 - 1997	66	0
8=	Maik Taylor	1999 - present	66	0
10	Martin O'Neill	1972 - 1985	64	8
11	Gerry Armstrong	1977 - 1986	63	12
12	David Healy	2000 - present	62	33
13=	Iain Dowie	1990 - 2000	59	12
13=	Terry Neill	1961 - 1973	59	2
15	Aaron Hughes	1998 - present	57	0
16=	Billy Bingham	1951 - 1964	56	10
16=	Danny Blanchflower	1950 - 1963	56	2
18	Jimmy McIlroy	1952 - 1966	55	10
19=	Allan Hunter	1970 - 1980	53	1
19=	John McClelland	1980 - 1990	53	1
21=	Jim Magilton	1991 - 2002	52	5
21=	Alan McDonald	1986 - 1996	52	3
23=	Sammy Nelson	1970 - 1982	51	1
23=	Chris Nicholl	1975 - 1984	51	3
23=	Gerry Taggart	1990 - 2002	51	7
26=	Bryan Hamilton	1969 - 1980	50	4
26=	James Quinn	1996 - 2007	50	4

#	Player	Career	Goals (Caps)	Goals per game
1	David Healy	2000 - present	33 (62)	0.53
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=	Billy Bingham	1951 - 1964	10 (56)	0.18
8=	Jimmy McIlroy	1952 - 1966	10 (55)	0.18
8=	Peter McParland	1954 - 1962	10 (34)	0.29
8=	Johnny Crossan	1960 - 1968	10 (24)	0.42

• Green and white army

Northern Ireland matches currently get shown on BBC Northern Ireland usually made available to the rest of the UK via BBCi and Sky Sports also show Northern Ireland matches but BBC Northern Ireland are soon to lose most of their rights to a subscription based providers ^[15]

• Irish Football Association - Northern Ireland Football official site
• Northern Ireland Supporters Fanzine
• Northern Ireland Supporters Fanzine
• Northern Ireland Stats & Statistics
• Northern ireland Football site
• Northern Ireland Football Project - Resource
• RSSSF archive of international results 1882-
• Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats

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