Derek Spence

Name: Derek William Spence
Born: 18 January 1952, Belfast
Height: 5.10 ft
Weight: 11.03 st
Position: Forward

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 29 Full Caps/3 Goals (1975-1982).
Club Honours: (with Bury) Football League Division Four 4th Place 1973/74 (promoted); (with Southend) Football League Division Four Champion 1980/81 (promoted).

Club Career:
Crusaders (Irish League); Oldham Athletic (Football League) 1970/71-1972/73 (5(1)/0 League); Bury (Football League) 1972/73-1976/77 (140/44 League, 10/4 FA Cup, 13/7 League Cup); Blackpool (Football League) 1976/77 (24(3)/2 League, 2/1 FA Cup); Olympiakos (Greek National League) 1977/78 (21/6 League, 1 Cup goal); Blackpool 1978/79-1979/80 (58/18 League, 4/0 FA Cup, 7/2 League Cup); Southend United (Football League) 1979/80-1981/82 (100(4)/32 League, 2/0 FA Cup, 4/1 League Cup, 3/1 Other); See Bee (Hong Kong); Rangers (Hong Kong); Bury 1983/84 (9(4)/1 League, 4/0 Cup); Oldham Dew (North-West Counties League).

Biography:
A steady goalscorer throughout his League career, Derek Spence was capable of some sublime goals. His club form never really transferred to the international stage, but he will be long-remembered for his equalising goal against the Dutch in 1976.

More to follow.

Northern Ireland Cap Details:
16-03-1975 Yugoslavia.. H W 1-0 ECQ

16-03-1975 Yugoslavia.. H W 1-0 ECQ
17-05-1975 England..... H D 0-0 BC
20-05-1975 Scotland.... A L 0-3 BC
23-05-1975 Wales....... H W 1-0 BC
03-09-1975 Sweden...... H L 1-2 ECQ
24-03-1976 Israel...... A D 1-1 FR
08-05-1976 Scotland.... H L 0-3 BC. sub
11-05-1976 England..... A L 0-4 BC
14-05-1976 Wales....... A L 0-1 BC
13-10-1976 Netherlands. A D 2-2 WCQ sub 1 Goal
27-04-1977 West Germany A L 0-5 FR. sub
28-05-1977 England..... H L 1-2 BC. sub
01-06-1977 Scotland.... A L 0-2 BC. sub
03-06-1977 Wales....... H D 1-1 BC. sub
11-06-1977 Iceland..... A L 0-1 WCQ sub
20-09-1978 Rep. Ireland A D 0-0 ECQ
25-10-1978 Denmark..... H W 2-1 ECQ sub 1 Goal
07-02-1979 England..... A L 0-4 ECQ sub
02-05-1979 Bulgaria.... H W 2-0 ECQ sub
19-05-1979 England..... H L 0-2 BC. sub
22-05-1979 Scotland.... A L 0-1 BC
25-05-1979 Wales....... H D 1-1 BC. 1 Goal
06-06-1979 Denmark..... A L 0-4 ECQ
21-11-1979 Rep. Ireland H W 1-0 ECQ
26-03-1980 Israel...... A D 0-0 WCQ sub
11-06-1980 Australia... A W 2-1 FR. sub
25-03-1981 Scotland.... A D 1-1 WCQ sub
03-06-1981 Sweden...... A L 0-1 WCQ sub
24-03-1982 France...... A L 0-4 FR. sub

Summary: 13(16)/3. Won 6, Drew 8, Lost 15.

Mark Hughes

Name: Mark A. Hughes

Born: 16 September 1983, Dungannon

Height: 5.10 ft

Weight: 12.04 st

Position: Midfielder/Right-Back

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Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 2 Full Caps (2006), 1 Under-23 Cap (2004), 12 Under-21 Caps (2002-2005), Youth Caps.

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Club Career:

Clubs............ --Seasons-- Signed --Fee-- League FA Cup Lge Cup Other

Tottenham Hotspur 01/02-04/05 Aug-01 Trainee .0(0)/0

Northampton Town. 04/05...... Aug-04 ...Loan .3(0)/0

Oldham Athletic.. 04/05-06/07 Nov-04 ...Free 55(5)/1 7(0)/0 1(0)/0 2(3)/0

Thurrock......... 06/07...... Jul-06 ...Free (Football Conference South)

Chesterfield..... 06/07...... Nov-06 ...Loan .2(0)/1 1(0)/0

Stevenage Borough 06/07...... Jan-07 ...Free .8(2)/2

Chester City..... 07/08- date Aug-07 ...Free

Totals........... ........... ...... ....... 68(7)/4 8(0)/0 1(0)/0 5(3)/0

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Biography:

Mark Hughes secured an early release from his contract at Oldham early in the 2006/07 season. Initially signed by Conference South club, Thurrock, Hughes returned to the Football League on an emergency two month loan with Chesterfield in November. Although he scored on his Spireites debut against Gillingham, he was unable to convince boss Roy McFarland to offer him a permanent deal and has returned to Thurrock.

Hughes signed for Stevenage Borough in January 2007, but was released the following May. He returned to the Football League for the 2007/08 season with Chester City.

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Still active.

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Northern Ireland Cap Details:

21-05-2006 Uruguay N L 0-1 FR sub

26-05-2006 Romania N L 0-2 FR sub

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Summary: 0(2)/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 2.

Bill Hayes

Name: William Edward Hayes
Born: 7 November 1915, Cork
Died: 1987
Height: 5.08 ft
Weight: 10.09 st
Position: Full-Back

Representative Honours: Ireland: 4 Full Caps (1937-1938); Eire: 2 Full Caps (1946-1947); League of Ireland: 2 Caps.

Club Career:
Clubs............ --Seasons-- Signed League FACup War-Time
St Vincent's (Sheffield)
Huddersfield Town 34/35-49/50 Apr-33 184/ 5 14/ 0 53/ 4
Cork United....................Guest (League of Ireland)
Burnley.......... 49/50-50/51 Feb-50 .12/ 0
Totals.............................. 196/ 5 14/ 0 53/ 4

Biography:
"As tough as they come", Cork-born dual international full-back Billy Hayes moved to England as a youth. He learnt the game playing junior football in the Sheffield area before signing amateur terms with Huddersfield in June 1932. The following April he was awarded a professional deal and he made his League debut against Derby in August 1934, still just eighteen years-old.

Although it took him a few years to establish himself in the Terrier's first eleven, by the outbreak of World War Two Hayes was first choie right-back and recognised penalty taker. He had also been capped by the Irish FA, stepping in as a replacement for the legendary Bertie Fulton (with Everton’s Billy Cook switching to Fulton’s left-back role) for four internationals in 1937 and 1938.

During the War, Hayes initially remained in Yorkshire, playing in war-time football through the 1939/40 and 1940/41 campaigns. He then returned to his native Cork, and won Inter-League honours while playing with Cork United. He also helped the team to dominate the League of Ireland Championship and claim FAI Cup, League of Ireland Shield and Munster Cup successes.

After the War, Hayes returned to Huddersfield, and was honoured by the FAI, winning caps at left-back in a 1-0 defeat by England in September 1946 and a 2-0 defeat by Portugal in May 1947, both matches played at Dalymount Park. He left Leeds Road behind in February 1950 after fifteen war-interupted years, all spent in the top-flight of English football. He joined Burnley, also a First Division side, but retired early in the 1950/51 season after a total of just twelve appearances.

Ireland Cap Details:
23-10-1937 England. H L 1-5 BC
10-11-1937 Scotland A D 1-1 BC
08-11-1938 Scotland H L 0-2 BC
16-11-1938 England. A L 0-7 BC

Summary: 4/0. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 3.

Jimmy Hill

Name: Matthew James Hill

Born: 31 October 1935, Carrickfergus

Height: 5.08 ft

Weight: 11.00 st

Position: Inside/Outside-Left

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Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 7 Full Caps (1959-1963), 2 'B' Caps (1957-1960), Amateur; Irish League: 6 Caps (1956-1968).

Club Honours: (with Linfield) Irish League Champion; (with Norwich) Football League Division Three Runner-Up 1959/60 (promoted); Football League Cup Winner 1961/62; (with Derry) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1970/71.

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Club Career:

Carrickfergus YMCA; Carrick Rangers (Irish Intermediate League); Linfield (Irish League) 1953/54-1956/57; Newcastle United (Football League) 1957/58 (11/2 League); Norwich City (Football League) 1958/59-1962/63 (161/55 League, 34/11 Cup); Everton (Football League) 1963/64-1965/66 (7/1 League); Port Vale (Football League) 1965/66-1967/68 (63/8 League, 9 Cup games); Derry City player-manager (Irish League) 1968/69-1970/71; Linfield player-manager 1971/72 (0(1)/0 Europe).

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Biography:

Jimmy Hill was a goalscoring winger who caught the eye with hometown club Carrick Rangers before joining Linfield in the mid-1950s. At Windsor Park he picked up a League title as well as Inter-League honours, prompting Newcastle to sign him in part-exchange for Jackie Milburn in 1957. They were big boots to fill at St James' Park, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Hill failed to impress the Magpies' faithful.

It was at Norwich City that Hill's Football League career really took off. In 1959 he was the creative force (along with former Irish international forward Bobby Brennan) in the team that reached the FA Cup semi-final, despite their Third Division status; and the following season he top-scored with 16 goals as the club finished as runners-up and clinched promotion to the Second Division. In 1962 Hill was part of the Norwich team that won their first major honour, scoring in the 4-0 aggregate win over Rochdale in the League Cup Final. With 66 goals he still ranks amongst the Canaries' top goalscorers.

With Billy Bingham's Everton career drawing to a close, Harry Catterick was perhaps excited by the prospect of replacing one Irish winger with another and consequently stumped up £25,000 for Hill's signature in the summer of 1963. Once again Hill failed to make an impact on the English top-flight, and hampered by injury, he made just seven appearances in two seasons. Early in the 1965/66 season Hill left Goodison for Port Vale, once again attempting to fill in where Bingham had left off.

Jimmy Hill returned to the Irish League as player-manager of Derry City in 1968, guiding them to runners-up spot in the City Cup and Irish League in his first season and to the Irish Cup Final in 1971. He also added further Irish League caps to his collection. In 1971 he once again replaced Billy Bingham, taking over the role of Linfield manager, but he lasted just a season at Windsor Park before resigning for personal reasons.

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Hill remained outside the game for almost twenty years, running a sportshop in his native Carrickfergus, before taking the job as Carrick Rangers manager in November 1988. With Carrick struggling in the Irish League, he resigned in February 1991.

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Northern Ireland Cap Details:

22-04-1959 Wales....... H W 4-1 BC

06-04-1960 Wales....... A L 2-3 BC

26-10-1960 West Germany H L 3-4 BC

07-10-1961 Scotland.... H L 1-6 BC

12-10-1963 Scotland.... H W 2-1 BC

30-10-1963 Spain....... H L 0-1 BC

20-11-1963 England..... A L 3-8 BC

Summary: 7/0. Won 2, Drew 0, Lost 5.

Colin Hill

Name: Colin Frederick Hill
Born: 12 November 1963, Uxbridge (England)
Height: 6.01 ft
Weight: 12.11 st
Position: Defender
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Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 27 Full Caps/1 Goal (1990-1998).
Club Honours: (with Sheffield United) Football League Division Two Runner-Up 1990/91 (promoted); (with Leicester) Football League Division One Play-Off Winner 1995/96 (promoted).


Club Career:
Glebe Athletic; Park Lane; Hillingdon; Arsenal (Football League) 1981/82-1985/86 (46/1 League, 1/0 FA Cup, 4/0 League Cup); CS Maritimo (Portugal); Colchester United (Football League) 1987/88-1988/89 (64(5)/0 League, 7/2 FA Cup, 2/0 League Cup, 3(1)/0 Other); Sheffield United (Football League) 1989/90-1991/92 (77(5)/1 League, 10(2)/0 FA Cup, 5/0 League Cup, 3/0 Other); Leicester City on loan (Football League) 1991/92 (10/0 League); Leicester City (Football League/FA Premiership) 1992/93-1996/97 (134(4)/0 League, 8/0 FA Cup, 10(2)/1 League Cup, 9(1)/0 Other); Trelleborgs (Sweden) 1997 (11/0 League); Northampton Town (Football League) 1997/98-1998/99 (53(5)/0 League, 5/0 FA Cup, 5/0 League Cup, 6(1)/0 Other).

Biography:
To follow.

Football Heroes NI, Arsenal, Sheff. Utd, Leicester
GunnerMania
Leicester City Bio

Northern Ireland Cap Details:
27-03-1990 Norway....... H L 2-3 FR
18-05-1990 Uruguay...... H W 1-0 FR
06-02-1991 Poland....... H W 3-1 FR

27-03-1991 Yugoslavia... A L 1-4 ECQ 1 Goal

16-10-1991 Austria...... H W 2-1 ECQ
13-11-1991 Denmark...... A L 1-2 ECQ
29-03-1995 Rep. Ireland. A D 1-1 ECQ
26-04-1995 Latvia....... A W 1-0 ECQ
03-09-1995 Portugal..... A D 1-1 ECQ
11-10-1995 Liechtenstein A W 4-0 ECQ
15-11-1995 Austria...... H W 5-3 ECQ
27-03-1996 Norway....... H L 0-2 FR
24-04-1996 Sweden....... H L 1-2 FR
29-05-1996 Germany...... H D 1-1 FR
31-08-1996 Ukraine...... H L 0-1 WCQ
05-10-1996 Armenia...... H D 1-1 WCQ
09-11-1996 Germany...... A D 1-1 WCQ
14-12-1996 Albania...... H W 2-0 WCQ
29-03-1997 Portugal..... H D 0-0 WCQ
02-04-1997 Ukraine...... A L 1-2 WCQ
30-04-1997 Armenia...... A D 0-0 WCQ
21-05-1997 Thailand..... A D 0-0 FR
20-08-1997 Germany...... H L 1-3 WCQ
10-09-1997 Albania...... A L 0-1 WCQ
11-10-1997 Portugal..... A L 0-1 WCQ
25-03-1998 Slovakia..... H W 1-0 FR
15-09-1998 Turkey....... A L 0-3 ECQ

Summary: 27/1. Won 8, Drew 8, Lost 11.

Ted Hinton

Name: Edward Hinton
Born: 20 May 1922, Drumaness (near Ballynahinch)
Height: 6.00 ft
Weight: 11.09 st
Died: 1988
Position: Goalkeeper

Representative Honours: Ireland: 7 Full Caps (1946-1951), 1 Schoolboy Cap (1936); Northern Regional "War-Time" League: 1 Cap (1942).
Club Honours: (with Glentoran) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1941/42; Co. Antrim Shield Winner 1940/41.

Club Career:
Clubs........... --Seasons-- Signed League FACup Other
Glentoran....... 39/40-42/43 ....... 43/ 0 (Total)
Distillery...... 42/43-45/46
Swindon Town.... 45/46.guest .................... 1/ 0
Fulham.......... 46/47-48/49 Aug-46 .82/ 0 .4/ 0
Millwall........ 49/50-51/52 Jul-49 .91/ 0 .7/ 0
Ballymena United
Bangor
Ballymena United
Totals............................. 216/ 0 11/ 0 .1/ 0

Biography:
Ted Hinton emerged in the Glentoran first eleven as a teenager during the earliest days of the Second World War. He was in-and-out of the team for a few seasons, winning his only senior medal in May 1941 when Distillery were defeated 1-0 in the Co. Antrim Shield final – Glentoran were forced to don Crusaders’ red and black striped shirts and borrowed boots, as all the Glens’ kit had been destroyed when the Oval was bombed days earlier. The following year Hinton played in an Irish Cup final defeat, 3-1 to Linfield at Celtic Park.

Still far from a regular choice for the Glens, Hinton transferred to Distillery in March 1943. The general upheaval of the War, plus the emergence of future international ‘keeper Billy Smyth, limited Hinton’s impact at Distillery. He impressed while guesting for Swindon Town in the post-War transitional season before signing for Fulham in August 1946. He was to be the Cottagers’ regular number one in the immediate post-War seasons, the club settling in mid-table of Division Two.

Hinton also became Ireland’s regular choice at goalkeeper after Linfield’s Alex Russell was tried in the first international after the War – and conceded seven. Hinton’s form between the posts was much more respectable, the Irish avoiding defeat in his first four outings. 1948/49 brought Fulham long-awaited promotion to the English top-flight, but Hinton had lost his place after just ten games of the Division Two Championship season, and he made his final appearance for the club in a 2-1 defeat by Cardiff in September 1948, his prospects further limited by the signing of another Irish ‘keeper, Hugh Kelly, in March 1949.

In July 1949 Hinton moved across London, dropping down to Division Three (South), to sign with Millwall in a £1,500 deal. After a disastrous first season at the Den when the team finished bottom of the League and were forced to apply for re-election, form picked-up and they challenged for promotion in the next two campaigns. Hinton also returned to the thoughts of the Irish FA selection committee and won his final two caps, coming into the team for Kelly, in a defeat to Wales and a draw with France in 1951.

A return to Ireland in 1952 saw Hinton, who had taken to storing his false teeth at the back of his net for safe-keeping, play with Bangor and Ballymena United in the Irish League.

Ireland Cap Details:
27-11-1946 Scotland A D 0-0 BC
16-04-1947 Wales... H W 2-1 BC
04-10-1947 Scotland H W 2-0 BC
05-11-1947 England. A D 2-2 BC
10-03-1948 Wales... A L 0-2 BC
07-03-1951 Wales... H L 1-2 BC
12-05-1951 France.. H D 2-2 FR

Summary: 7/0. Won 2, Drew 3, Lost 2.

Martin Harvey

Martin Harvey had some difficult boots to fill as Northern Ireland's right-half - those of a certain Danny Blanchflower...

Name: Martin Harvey

Born: 19 September 1941, Belfast

Height: 5.10½ ft

Weight: 12.00 st

Position: Wing-Half

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 34 Full Caps/3 Goals (1961-1971), 2 'B' Caps (1959-1960), 3 Under-23 Caps (1962-1964), 3 Schoolboy Caps (1956-1957).

Club Honours: (with Sunderland) Football League Division Two Runner-Up 1963/64 (promoted).

Club Career:

Clubs..... --Seasons-- -League- -FACup- -FLCup- Other

Boyland

Burnley... trial

Sunderland 59/60-71/72 310(4)/5 25(0)/0 15(0)/0 3(0)/0

Coaching Career:

Sunderland..... (coach)............ 1971-1978

Carlisle United (assistant-manager) 1978-1980

............... (manager).......... Feb/80-Sep/80 (initially caretaker)

Plymouth Argyle (coach)............ Jul/81-1989

Raith Rovers... (assistant-manager)

Millwall....... (assistant-manager) Feb/96-Feb/97

Biography:

To follow.

Northern Ireland Cap Details:

25-04-1961 Italy....... A L 2-3 FR

09-05-1962 Netherlands. A L 0-4 FR

03-04-1963 Wales....... H L 1-4 BC 1 Goal

30-05-1963 Spain....... A D 1-1 ENC

12-10-1963 Scotland.... H W 2-1 BC

30-10-1963 Spain....... H L 0-1 ENC

20-11-1963 England..... A L 3-8 BC

15-04-1964 Wales....... A W 3-2 BC 1 Goal

29-04-1964 Uruguay..... H W 3-0 FR

03-10-1964 England..... H L 3-4 BC

14-10-1964 Switzerland. H W 1-0 WCQ

14-11-1964 Switzerland. A L 1-2 WCQ

25-11-1964 Scotland.... A L 2-3 BC

17-03-1965 Netherlands. H W 2-1 WCQ

31-03-1965 Wales....... H L 0-5 BC

07-04-1965 Netherlands. A D 0-0 WCQ

07-05-1965 Albania..... H W 4-1 WCQ

02-10-1965 Scotland.... H W 3-2 BC

10-11-1965 England..... A L 1-2 BC

24-11-1965 Albania..... A D 1-1 WCQ

30-03-1966 Wales....... A W 4-1 BC 1 Goal

07-05-1966 West Germany H L 0-2 FR

22-06-1966 Mexico...... H W 4-1 FR

22-10-1966 England..... H L 0-2 ECQ

16-11-1966 Scotland.... A L 1-2 ECQ

22-11-1967 England..... A L 0-2 ECQ

28-02-1968 Wales....... A L 0-2 ECQ

10-09-1968 Israel...... A W 3-2 FR

23-10-1968 Turkey...... H W 4-1 WCQ

11-12-1968 Turkey...... A W 3-0 WCQ

03-05-1969 England..... H L 1-3 BC

22-10-1969 USSR........ A L 0-2 WCQ

21-04-1971 Cyprus...... H W 5-0 ECQ

22-05-1971 Wales....... H W 1-0 BC sub

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Summary: 33(1)/3. Won 13, Drew 3, Lost 17

Kevin Horlock

Kevin Horlock's 32 solid performances at full-back or in midfield for Northern Ireland were largely forgotten when he announced his 'retirement' from international football by simply not turning up for a European championship qualifier with Armenia in March 2003...

Name: Kevin Horlock

Born: 1 November 1972, Erith, Kent (England)

Height: 6.00 ft

Weight: 12.00 st

Position: Midfielder/Left-Back

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 32 Full Caps (1995-2002), 2 'B' Caps (1994-1996).

Club Honours: (with Swindon) Football League Division Two Champion 1995/96; (with Man. City) Football League Division One Champion 2001/02, Runner-Up 1999/00; Football League Division Two Play-Off Winner 1998/99.

Club Career:

Clubs............ --Seasons-- --League-- -FACup- -FLCup- Other

West Ham United.. 91/92...... ..0 (0)/ 0

Swindon Town..... 92/93-96/97 152(12)/22 12(0)/3 15(2)/1 5(2)/0

Manchester City.. 96/97-02/03 186(20)/37 .9(0)/1 16(1)/4

West Ham United.. 03/04...... .23 (4)/ 1 .4(0)/0 .2(0)/0

Ipswich Town..... 04/05-05/06 .46(12)/ 0 .1(0)/0 .1(1)/0 1(0)/0

Doncaster Rovers. 05/06..loan .13 (0)/ 0

Doncaster Rovers. 06/07-07/08 ..2 (0)/ 1

Scunthorpe United 07/08.........0 (0)/ 0

Mansfield Town... 07/08..loan ..0 (5)/ 0

Bury Town........ 08/09 ..... (Isthmian League)

Totals........... ........... 442(53)/63 26(0)/4 34(4)/5 6(2)/0

Biography:

To follow.

Swindon Town Bio

Manchester City Bio

Doncaster Rovers Bio

Wikipedia Article

Northern Ireland Cap Details:

26-04-1995 Latvia.... A W 1-0 ECQ

22-05-1995 Canada.... A L 0-2 FR

09-11-1996 Germany... A D 1-1 WCQ

14-12-1996 Albania... H W 2-0 WCQ

22-01-1997 Italy..... A L 0-2 FR

11-02-1997 Belgium... H W 3-0 FR

02-04-1997 Ukraine... A L 1-2 WCQ

30-04-1997 Armenia... A D 0-0 WCQ

21-05-1997 Thailand.. A D 0-0 FR

20-08-1997 Germany... H L 1-3 WCQ

10-09-1997 Albania... A L 0-1 WCQ

11-10-1997 Portugal.. A L 0-1 WCQ

15-09-1998 Turkey.... A L 0-3 ECQ

10-10-1998 Finland... H W 1-0 ECQ

27-03-1999 Germany... H L 0-3 ECQ

31-03-1999 Moldova... A D 0-0 ECQ

27-04-1999 Canada.... H D 1-1 FR

18-08-1999 France.... H L 0-1 FR

18-08-1999 Turkey.... H L 0-3 ECQ

09-09-1999 Germany... A L 0-4 ECQ

28-03-2000 Malta..... A W 3-0 FR sub

16-08-2000 Yugoslavia H L 1-2 FR

02-09-2000 Malta..... H W 1-0 WCQ

07-10-2000 Denmark... H D 1-1 WCQ

11-10-2000 Iceland... A L 0-1 WCQ

01-09-2001 Denmark... A D 1-1 WCQ

05-09-2001 Iceland... H W 3-0 WCQ

06-10-2001 Malta..... A W 1-0 WCQ

17-04-2002 Spain..... H L 0-5 FR

21-08-2002 Cyprus.... H D 0-0 FR

12-10-2002 Spain..... A L 0-3 ECQ

16-10-2002 Ukraine... H D 0-0 ECQ

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Summary: 31(1)/0. Won 8, Drew 9, Lost 15.

Michael Ingham

Currently considered Northern Ireland's third-choice 'keeper, Michael Ingham will have some job displacing Maik Taylor and Roy Carroll in the near future...

Name: Michael Gerard Ingham

Born: 9 July 1980, Preston (England)

Height: 6.04 ft

Weight: 13.12 st

Position: Goalkeeper

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Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: Full Caps (2005-date), 4 Under-21 Caps (2001), Under-18 Caps.

Club Honours: (with Cliftonville) Irish FA Charity Shield Winner 1998; (with Wrexham) FAW Premier Cup Winner 2003/04.

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Club Career:

Clubs........... --Seasons-- --Fee-- -League- FA Cup LgeCup Other

Newington YC.... (Northern Amateur Football League)

Malachians...... (Northern Amateur Football League)

Cliftonville.... 98/99...... ....... .18(0)/0 ...... ...... 17(0)/0

Sunderland...... 99/00-04/05 £30,000 ..1(1)/0 ...... 2(0)/0

Carlisle United. 99/00...... ...Loan ..7(0)/0
Cliftonville.... 00/01...... ...Loan .20(0)/0 ...... ...... .2(0)/0
Stoke City...... 01/02...... ...Loan ..0(0)/0
Stockport County 02/03...... ...Loan ..0(0)/0 ...... 1(0)/0
Darlington...... 02/03...... ...Loan ..3(0)/0
York City....... 02/03...... ...Loan .17(0)/0
Wrexham......... 03/04...... ...Loan .11(0)/0
Doncaster Rovers 04/05...... ...Loan ..1(0)/0 ...... ...... .1(0)/0

Wrexham......... 05/06-06/07 ...Free .71(0)/0 4(0)/0 3(0)/0 .2(0)/0

Hereford United. 07/08 .........Free ....................... 1(0)/0

York City ...... 08/09 ........ Free

Totals.......... ........... ....... 149(1)/0 4(0)/0 6(0)/0 23(0)/0

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Summary: (to end 2007/08)

Football League..... 111(1)/0

FA Cup................ 4(0)/0

Football League Cup... 6(0)/0

Football League Trophy 4(0)/0

Irish Football League 38(0)/0

IFA Charity Shield.... 1(0)/0

Other NI Competitions 19(0)/0

Totals.............. 182(1)/0

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Biography:

To follow.

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Irish FA Bio

Wikipedia Article

Wrexham Bio

football.co.uk

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Northern Ireland Cap Details:

04-06-2005 Germany H L 1-4 FR sub

21-05-2006 Uruguay N L 0-1 FR

06-02-2007 Wales.. H D 0-0 FR sub

Still active.

Summary: 1(2)/0. Goals Conceded: 2. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 2.

Tom Mulholland

Name: Thomas Stephen Mulholland
Born: 13 April 1888, Belfast
Position: Inside-Right

Representative Honours: Ireland: 2 Full Caps (1906).
Club Honours: (with Belfast Celtic) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1905/06.

Club Career:
Belfast Celtic (Irish League); Distillery (Irish League) 1908/09; Leeds City (Football League) 1909/10-1911/12 (78/21 League); Belfast Blues; Distillery; Scunthorpe & Lindsey United (Midland League); Halifax Town (Midland League); Belfast Celtic; Hartlepools United (North-Eastern League/Football League) 1920/21-1921/22 (5/1 League, 6/2 FA Cup, 13 North-Eastern League Goals).

Biography:
Tom ‘Steve’ Mulholland’s career got off to a blistering start. In 1906 he became just one of a handful of players awarded international recognition by the Irish FA prior to their eighteenth birthday, and earned rave reviews from those watching, despite a 5-0 defeat. A month later he won a second cap that, amazingly given his long career, was to be his last. 1906 also brought an Irish Cup Final appearance, with Celtic defeated 2-0 by Shelbourne in Dublin.

In 1907 Mulholland aided Belfast Celtic to a City Cup success, his driven goal in what was essentially the decider against Distillery helping the Hoops to a 4-0 win. Mulholland moved across to Belfast to sign for Distillery prior to the 1908/09 season. It was a to be a barren season for the Whites, one of the few highlights coming with a 2-0 victory over eventual League champions Linfield, Mulholland claiming both goals.

After a year with Distillery, Mulholland, accompanied by teammate Willie Halligan, moved to Leeds City. At the time, Leeds were struggling both on and off the pitch, and cut-price moves for Irish League talent were common place. Both Mulholland and Halligan made their debuts in the opening day of the season 5-0 defeat of Lincoln City. It was to be a rare highlight, Mulholland scoring just once all season, in a 5-3 reverse against Oldham, as he largely played second fiddle to Halligan, and Leeds finishing just above the re-election spots at the bottom of Division Two.

The following campaign, 1910/11, was slightly more positive. Halligan was Leeds’ second-top goalscorer with nine strikes, as mid-table respectability was attained. 1911/12 brought Mulholland his best run in the first eleven, he played 35 games in all, but Leeds struggled badly, finishing in 19th spot, forcing the club to apply for re-election to the Football League. At the end of the 1911/12 season Mulholland was part of Herbert Chapman’s clear-out at Elland Road, and he returned to Ireland.

Initially Mulholland played with Belfast Blues (a short-lived team formed around Linfield Swifts and affiliated to the New Irish FA), before signing with Distillery for the 1912/13 campaign. Mulholland had brief spells in back in England, playing non-League football with Scunthorpe and Halifax before returning to Belfast Celtic. His spell back at Paradise also proved to be short, and he was back in England, playing for Hartlepools United, in 1920. Thirteen goals in the North-Eastern League was enough to take the club to seventh place, and earn them a place in the newly formed Division Three (North) for the 1921/22 season. Mulholland scored ’Pool’s first ever Football League goal, in a 2-0 opening day victory over Wrexham, but his League return lasted just five games.

Ireland Cap Details:
17-02-1906 England. H L 0-5 BC
17-03-1906 Scotland H L 0-1 BC

Summary: 2/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 2.

Alfie Harland

Name: Alfred Ireland Harland
Born: 26 November 1897, Cookstown
Position: Goalkeeper

Representative Honours: Ireland: 1 Full Cap (1922); Irish League: 2 Caps (1922); Irish FA Representative.
Club Honours: (with Linfield) Irish League Champion 1921/22, 1922/23; Irish Cup Winner 1921/22.

Club Career:
Linfield (Irish League); Everton (Football League) 1922/23-1925/26 (64/0 League, 6/0 FA Cup); Runcorn (Cheshire County League).

Biography:
1922 proved a vintage year for Alfie Harland; he was Linfield’s regular ‘keeper through their clean-sweep season, represented the Irish League and Irish FA, was capped by Ireland, and gained a move to English giants, Everton.

Few would have believed such a rise to prominence would be possible for Harland, who as the 1921/22 campaign began was Linfield's second choice for the number one jersey behind former international, Fred McKee. Indeed McKee was the man in possession when the season’s first trophy, the Alhambra Cup, was claimed, and it was October before Harland made the first eleven. Firmly established in the side, he played in the Irish Cup final (2-1 over Glenavon), Co. Antrim Shield final (4-1 replay win over Distillery) and Charity Cup final (3-0 over Cliftonville Olympic), as well as claiming winner’s medals in the Gold Cup, City Cup and Irish League.

In May 1922 an Irish FA representative team embarked on a tour of Norway, playing two matches. The first (since termed) an unofficial international, ended in a 2-1 defeat for Ireland; the second, an inter-association representative match, finished in a 3-1 victory for the IFA over the Norwegian FA. In October Harland represented the Irish League in 5-1 and 3-0 defeats by the English and Scottish Leagues respectively. The same month he was selected for Ireland’s first international of the season, a match which resulted in a 2-0 defeat by England at West Bromwich. With the presence of such illustrious goalkeeping talent as Tom Farquharson and Elisha Scott, it proved impossible for Harland to add to his single cap.

Within days of his international debut Everton stepped in to sign Harland as stand-in for injured Tom Fern. He made his debut on 4th November 1922 in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal, and he held on to the number one jersey through to the following March when Fern returned. After nearly a year of reserve-team football, Harland returned to the Everton first-team in January 1924, retaining his place well into the following campaign before losing out to Jack Kendall and then Harry Hardy. After just four appearances in the 1925/26 season, the last in a 3-2 defeat by Huddersfield on 3rd October, Harland transferred to local non-League football, with Runcorn, in May 1926.

Ireland Cap Details:
21-10-1922 England. A L 0-2 BC

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.

Felix Healy

Name: Patrick Joseph Healy
Born: 27 September 1955, Londonderry
Height: 5.11 ft
Weight: 12.00 st
Position: Midfielder

Representative Honours: 4 Full Caps (1982); Irish League: 3 Caps/1 Goal (1982-1986); League of Ireland Representative.
Club Honours: (with Finn Harps) League of Ireland Runner-Up 1977/78; (with Coleraine) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1981/82, 1985/86; Ulster Cup Winner 1985/86, 1986/87; (with Derry City) League of Ireland Champion 1988/89, Runner-Up 1989/90; FAI Cup Winner 1988/89, Runner-Up 1987/88; FAI League Cup Winner 1988/89, 1990/91, Runner-Up 1989/90.

Club Career:
Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland); Distillery (Irish League) 1976/77; Finn Harps (League of Ireland) 1976/77-1978/79; Port Vale (Football League) 1978/79-1979/80 (40(1)/2 League); Coleraine (Irish League) 1980/81-1986/87; Derry City (League of Ireland) 1987/88-1993/94; Coleraine 1993/94-1994/95 (1/0 League, 1/0 League Cup, 1/0 Other); Derry City 1994/95-1996/97.

Biography:
An accomplished midfielder or striker, Pat ‘Felix’ Healy possessed a passing ability perhaps unmatched in the Irish game. He emerged in the Sligo Rovers first-team as a teenager, displaying a coolness on the ball which belied his young age. In the summer of 1976 he transferred to homeless Distillery, a club suffering the most turbulent period in their history, and perhaps inevitably some dreadful results. Healy didn’t even last the season, and in March 1977 he was back in the League of Ireland with Finn Harps.

Some impressive form with Harps brought runners-up medals in the League of Ireland and the Tyler All-Ireland Cup, and in October 1978 an £8,000 move to Port Vale. After two seasons of Division Four football, Healy returned across the Irish Sea, signing with Coleraine in July 1980. His form with the Bannsiders during the 1981/82 campaign brought the club to the verge of a League and Cup double, before they lost out to Linfield on both fronts. The disappointment was no doubt tempered by a Player of the Year double, and a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad.

Healy made his international debut in an experimental line-up which drew with Scotland in the British Championship, and won his second cap the following month as Northern Ireland finished their World Cup preparations in the worst if fashions, with a 3-0 defeat by Wales. Healy must have done enough to impress Billy Bingham, who included him in the World Cup squad for Spain. He played once at the Finals, coming on as substitute for Martin O’Neill in a 1-1 draw with Honduras. His fourth and final cap was won in the first post-World Cup game, as Northern Ireland lost 2-0 in Austria.

Continued good form with Coleraine over the following seasons brought Healy two Ulster Cup winner’s medals and another Irish Cup Final appearance, his penalty strike not enough to prevent Glentoran winning the 1986 Final 2-1. Healy was also a regular choice for the Irish League and won three caps – in a 3-3 draw with OFK Belgrade (representing the Yugoslav League) in 1982, and twice against the League of Ireland, a 4-0 win (in which he scored) in 1984 and a 2-1 defeat in 1986.

In 1987, despite being past his thirtieth birthday, Healy moved to his hometown club, Derry City. He was to become a Derry City legend, helping them to a clean-sweep of League, FAI Cup and League Cup in 1988/89; the club’s first major honours since their Irish League days, 23 years earlier. In October 1993 Healy returned to Coleraine as player-manager, taking over from Iam McFaul, before returning to Derry City as manager in December 1994. In a little-under four seasons in charge at the Brandywell, Healy led Derry to League and FAI Cup successes, before resigning in 1998. Healy remained outside football until becoming a surprise appointment as Finn Harps boss. His first season at Finn Park brought long-awaited promotion, as champions of the First Division, but as the club struggled to make an impact in the Premier League he was sacked in July 2005.

As well as his footballing talents, Healy is also a noted singer, and has recorded a number of songs, appeared on stage and presented his own radio show.

ColeraineFC

DerryCityFC

Northern Ireland Cap Details:
28-04-1982 Scotland H D 1-1 BC
27-05-1982 Wales... A L 0-3 BC
21-06-1982 Honduras N D 1-1 WCF sub
13-10-1982 Austria. A L 0-2 ECQ sub

Summary: 2(2)/0. Won 0, Drew 2, Lost 2.

Danny Hegan

A "pop-star" of the English game in the late-60s and early-70s, Danny Hegan's creative talents were largely tempered by his wayward lifestyle...

Name: Daniel Hegan
Born: 14 June 1943, Coatbridge (Scotland)
Height: 5.08 ft
Weight: 10.06 st
Position: Midfielder

Representative Honours: 7 Full Caps (1969-1973).
Club Honours: (with Ipswich) Football League Division Two Champion 1967/68; (with Wolves) UEFA Cup Runner-Up 1971/72.

Club Career:
Clubs.................. --Seasons-- --League-- -FACup- -FLCup- Europe Other
Bellshill Athletic................. (Scottish Junior Football)
Albion Rovers.......... 59/60-61/62 .25 (0)/ 4
Sunderland............. 61/62-62/63 ..0 (0)/ 0
Ipswich Town........... 63/64-68/69 207 (0)/34 11(0)/3 12(0)/1 ...... 10(0)/2
West Bromwich Albion... 69/70........13 (1)/ 2 ........ 4(0)/0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 70/71-73/74 .49 (4)/ 6 .3(0)/0 .3(0)/1 8(1)/1 .2(0)/0
Sunderland............. 73/74.........3 (3)/ 0 .0(2)/0
Highlands Park......... 1974....... (South African NFL)
Partick Thistle........ 74/75 trial
Highlands Park......... 1975....... (South African NFL)
Coleshill Town ........ 75/76-77/78 (Midland Combination)
Totals............................. 297 (8)/46 14(2)/3 19(0)/2 8(1)/1 12(0)/2

Biography:
A product of Scottish Junior Football, Danny Hegan began his senior career with hometown Scottish League club, Albion Rovers, signing on his sixteenth birthday. After a little over a season at inside-forward in the Scottish Second Division, he transferred to Sunderland in a £5,000 deal in September 1961. Unable to break into the starting eleven at Roker Park, Hegan moved on to Ipswich in July 1963 for £10,000.

Hegan’s Ipswich career got off to an inauspicious start as his debut finished with a 6-0 defeat by Bolton on the way to relegation. He soon found his feet though, developing into one of the most talented creative players in the Football League, eventually helping them to the Second Division title in 1968. Still rated among Ipswich’s all-time greats, Hegan’s social life began to catch up with him and his form dipped back in the top-flight. After a number of months on the transfer list, Hegan moved to West Brom in a player plus cash deal worth £88,000 in May 1969.

It was while at the Hawthorns that Hegan’s father’s Irish birth was realised, and he was awarded his first cap in the 2-0 defeat to the USSR that cost Northern Ireland a place at the Mexico 1970 World Cup – the match is probably most famous for the disappearance of George Best prior to the trip to Moscow. An agreement between the Home Nations limited players eligible through the “father rule” to non-British Championship games only, and it was two years before Hegan won his second cap, in another defeat by the USSR in Moscow.

Having failed to make a significant mark at West Brom, where he played more times for the reserves in the Central League than for the first-team in the Football League, Hegan made a cut-price £27,500 move to Wolves in May 1970. Initially slow to settle at Molyneaux, it was only in his second season that Hegan made an impact on the first eleven, scoring with a brilliant chip in the UEFA Cup quarter-final win over Juventus as Wolves marched to the Final, losing out 3-2 on aggregate to Spurs. In May 1972 Terry Neill took advantage of a change in the Home Nations rules, and selected Hegan for all three of the Home Nations ties, including a famous 1-0 win over England at Wembley.

In November 1973 Hegan was sacked by Wolves after disappearing on “another” drinking binge, and he returned to Sunderland for £5,000. Back at Roker Park he played just six times before being released. It proved a sad end to the League career of one of the most gifted midfielders of his generation. Hegan then spent two summers in South Africa with Johannesburg based Highland Park, and later played non-League football with Coleshill before retiring in May 1978. Later Hegan worked as a soccer coach at a Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Clacton, before settling in Birmingham where he worked as a taxi driver.

In 1982 Hegan went public with allegations that Leeds United's Billy Bremner attempted to bribe a Wolves team-mate to fix a match in the 1971/72 title run-in. Bremner successfully sued for £100,000 in libel damages. Only in more recent years, since Bremner’s death, have others seemingly corroborated Hegan’s story.

Pride of Anglia

Northern Ireland Cap Details:
22-10-1969 USSR.... A L 0-2 WCQ
22-09-1971 USSR.... A L 0-1 ECQ
20-05-1972 Scotland H L 0-2 BC
23-05-1972 England. A W 1-0 BC
27-05-1972 Wales... A D 0-0 BC
18-10-1972 Bulgaria A L 0-3 WCQ
14-02-1973 Cyprus.. A L 0-1 WCQ

Summary: 7/0. Won 1, Drew 1, Lost 5.

Bob Hunter

Name: Robert John Hunter
Born: Belfast
Position: Goalkeeper

Representative Honours: Ireland: 3 Full Caps (1884).

Club Career:
Cliftonville.

Biography:
Cousin of Shaw and John Gillespie.

If you have any information on Bob Hunter, please contact NIFG using the comments form below.

Ireland Cap Details:
26-01-1884 Scotland H L 0-5 BC
09-02-1884 Wales... A L 0-6 BC
23-02-1884 England. H L 1-8 BC

Summary: 3/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 3.

Jack Henderson

Name: John A. W. Henderson
Born: 31 July 1844, Belfast
Position: Goalkeeper

Representative Honours: Ireland: 3 Full Caps (1885).

Club Career:
Ulster.

Biography:
Probably the oldest players ever to make his Ireland debut when already past his fortieth birthday, Jack Henderson's final appearance was made at the age of 40 years and 254 days, a record as oldest Irish international which stood for fifty years, until surpassed by Elisha Scott.

A member of Ulster FC, Henderson conceded 20 goals during his three caps, and infact walked off the pitch during what was his final cap. The incident occurred as the a match with Wales descended into farce in high winds, and the crowd jeered Henderson after he conceded his fifth goal. Having left the pitch, it was fully five minutes before he could be persuaded to return to the match.

Henderson would later become a leading member within the Irish Football Association.

Ireland Cap Details:
28-02-1885 England. A L 0-4 BC
14-03-1885 Scotland A L 2-8 BC
11-04-1885 Wales... H L 2-8 BC

Summary: 3/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 3.

Happy Christmas

NIFG would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous and fulfilling 2007 (hopefully included European Championship qualification for the Boys in Green!).

Time for a hymn I feel...

Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus,
Lay down His sweet head,
The stars in the bright sky,
Looked down were He lay,
HEALY, HEALY, HEALY!!!

Ray McCoy

Name: Raymond K. McCoy

Born: 22 March 1964, Cookstown

Height: 5.06 ft

Weight: 10.06 st

Position: Winger

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 1 Full Cap (1987), 1 Under-21 Cap (1990); Irish League: 4 Caps (1986-1990).

Club Honours: (with Coleraine) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1985/86; Irish League Cup Winner 1987/88; Ulster Cup Winner 1986/87; North-West Senior Cup Winner; (with Glenavon) Irish Cup Winner 1991/92, 1996/97, Runner-Up 1990/91, 1995/96, 1997/98; Gold Cup Winner 1990/91; Co. Antrim Shield Winner 1990/91, 1995/96; Irish League Floodlit Cup Winner 1996/97; Mid-Ulster Cup Winner 1990/91.

Awards: Ulster Footballer of the Year 1987; NI PFA Player of the Year 1987; Ulster Young Footballer of the Year 1983; NI PFA Most Promising Newcomer 1983.

Club Career:

Cookstown United; Coleraine (Irish League) 1980/81-1989/90 (180(5)/77 League, 6/0 Europe, 44 Other Goals); Gisborne City (New Zealand) 1990; Coleraine 1990/91 (0/0 League); Glenavon (Irish League) 1990/91-1998/99 (115(33)/33 League, 2(2)/0 Europe, 83(18)/29 Other); Dundalk on loan (League of Ireland) 1997/98 (8(3)/1 League); Bangor (Irish League) 1998/99 (23(3)/0 League, 7(1)/1 Other).

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Biography:

A milkman by day, at the weekends Ray McCoy was showing himself to be one of the most gifted players in Northern Ireland. Having played with hometown club, Cookstown United from an early age, McCoy signed with Coleraine at the age of thirteen. At eighteen he marked his appearance on the Irish League scene with twenty-two goals (the club’s topscorer) and a Young Player of the Year Award double. At a very young age his skills and goalscoring talent were attracting cross-channel attentions.

Over the following few seasons McCoy featured regularly in the goalscoring charts, culminating in a stunning 1986/87 campaign when he finished equal topscorer in the Irish League, claimed an Ulster Cup winner’s medal, and won another Awards “Double”. Billy Bingham also began to take notice, calling McCoy into the international set-up, and awarding him his first cap, as a 67th minute substitute for Dave McCreery in a European Championship qualifier with Yugoslavia in Belfast. Thereafter McCoy struggled with injuries for a few seasons and dropped out of the international reckoning, though he maintained an admirable goalscoring rate.

In March 1990, with a clear-run free of injuries, McCoy was recalled to the Northern Ireland squad as a late replacement for Robbie Dennison. Although he didn’t make it off the bench for that match, he was clearly back in Bingham’s plans, and the following week was included as an over-age player for an Under-21 match against Israel. He played the full 88 minutes of that match (the floodlights having failed just prior to the final whistle) as Northern Ireland won 2-1 thanks to goals from Iain Dowie and Paul Gray.

After a spending the summer of 1990 playing with Gisborne City in New Zeland, McCoy returned briefly to Coleraine before an Irish League record £32,000 transfer to Glenavon. He made his debut for the Lurgan Blues in a 3-2 defeat by Distillery on 17th November, and the following week netted his first goal for the club, in another 3-2 defeat, this time to Bangor. From then on things picked up, Glenavon finishing fourth in the League and claiming the Gold Cup, Co. Antrim Shield and Mid-Ulster Cup by the end of the season. In near a eight years at Mourneview, McCoy played over 250 matches, and scored over sixty goals and played in five Irish Cup Finals, before moving to Bangor in September 1998.

McCoy hung-up his boots at the close the 1998/99 season, going on to become assistant-manager to Alfie Wylie at Newry Town and coach back at Glenavon under Colin Malone.

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Northern Ireland Cap Details:

29-04-1987 Yugoslavia H L 1-2 ECQ sub

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Summary: 0(1)/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.