NIFG

-  OVERVIEW  - -  1946/47  -  1956/57  - 1966/67 - 1976/77 - 1986/87 - 1996/9 7 - 2006/07 - 2016/17 - Players:  15 .  Appearances:  381 ;  Goals:  40 .  Average Games per Player:  25.4 [ max: 42 ] This was the first season of proper League football after the Second World War. It was a boom time for the game as fans flocked to see their returning stars and some new faces who were chomping at the bit after having missed out on six years of their playing careers. Of the 15 Irish internationals that featured this season, seven (marked *) were born south of the border, however, the era of  Dual Internationals   had just a few years left to run. Gerry Bowler   (age 27)   Portsmouth 4 league games / 0 goals   Right-back, recruited from Distillery just prior to the resumption of proper football. Spent three seasons at Portsmouth, making just eight appearances and did not mak...

The  Holy Grail  for any local footballer, or indeed many footballers from across the globe, is to make it to the English Premier League . Not only can you face some of the biggest names in world football, you can also earn fame and fortune beyond your wildest dreams! Although the pay scales have increased seemingly exponentially since the Premier League was founded in 1992, the target of playing for an Arsenal or a Manchester United has been a constant for decades. Here we look at the Northern Ireland international players who have featured in the Football League First Division or the Premier League from one season per decade over the past seventy years... - 1946/47 - 1956/57 - 1966/67 - 1976/77 - 1986/87 - 1996/97 - 2006/07 - 2016/17 -

Chris Brunt on the occasion of his 50th cap, vs Romania 13th June 2015 Last night Chris Brunt played his 50th game for Northern Ireland, becoming the 33rd player to reach this landmark. With no slight intended to Chris, statistically he is the "least regular" player to have reached that landmark, playing in just 54% of games since his debut against Switzerland in 2004. 50 caps used to be an incredibly difficult landmark to reach, the first person to so so was Danny Blanchflower in 1961, 79 years after we'd played our first international match. Up to the 1950s (Northern) Ireland, with only a few exceptions, played just three games a season, so a player would have had to not miss a match for nearly 17 years to reach the landmark. Indeed, prior to Blanchflower the record stood at 31 by Elisha Scott (1920-36) who, although his career almost stretched to the appropriate length, often struggled to secure his release from club duty. World War One also got in the way...

The Irish FA has announced that they will be launching Northern Ireland's new change kit ahead of the forthcoming match against Cyprus. A full statement can be found on the Irish FA's website ... Other links: Leaked photo? See Also: Kits Out

  THE Irish Football Association today welcomed Alex Attwood’s announcement that planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. “Receiving planning permission from DOE Planning is another major step in the Windsor Park redevelopment project and a great step forward for football in Northern Ireland,” said Irish FA President, Jim Shaw.  “Everyone involved in the project has worked extremely hard to get to this stage and I would like to thank everyone involved in the project as well as all the stakeholders who shared their thoughts during the consultation process.  The National Football Stadium plans are truly impressive and I know that once the redevelopment project is complete Windsor Park will be a stadium which we will all be proud of.”  Following a consultation process with the local community and stakeholders across Northern Ireland, which included giving people the opportunity to submit their ...

Northern Ireland players on the move during the January 2012 transfer window. Please help us to keep this up-to-date! Transfers: Sean Friars (Dungannon Swifts to Carrick Rangers) story Mark McChrystal (Tranmere Rovers to Bristol Rovers) story Lee Colligan (Coleraine to Carrick Rangers) story Darren Kelly (Garforth Town to Scarborough Athletic) story Ivan Sproule (Hibernian to Ross County) story Paul McAreavey  (unattached to Donegal Celtic) Sammy Stewart (Ambassadors to Portadown) story Wayne Drummond  (Crusaders to Harland & Wolff Welders) story Lee Camp  (Nottingham Forest to Norwich City) story David McDaid (Derry City to York City) story Sammy Clingan  (Doncaster Rovers to Kilmarnock)  story   story Brian Gilfillan (Clyde to Peterhead) story Gerard McMahon (Glenavon to Loughgall) story  (playing registration, joined as coach in October ) Loan Deals: Adam Thompson (Watford to Barnet) story  ( cancelled due...

Irish FA Press Release: On Wednesday night the Irish FA is planning to honour the life and contribution of the late Alan McDonald . The former captain was held in high esteem in the footballing world which was rocked when the devastating news was announced in June. Alan McDonald’s sudden death stunned everyone and fans are still mourning the loss of one of football’s gentlemen. The Finland game will be the first international since McDonald’s passing and the Irish FA want to give fans an opportunity to hold their own personal tribute. The Alan’s son and brother will lead out the teams before the match and a minute’s applause will echo around Windsor Park. Picture: Presseye Geoff Wilson, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Irish FA said, “Members of Alan’s family will be on the pitch and we are hoping to play the infamous interview that Alan gave after the England match over the PA system around 7.30pm before kick off. We also have a dedicated s...

Irish FA Press Release THE long wait is finally over – the Irish FA can today officially unveil the new adidas Northern Ireland home kit. The new Northern Ireland kit from adidas is officially unveiled The launch of the kit is part of a new long-term deal with world-renowned kit manufacturers adidas. The home kit comprises of a green shirt with white pinstripes and collar, white shorts and predominantly green socks and encompasses the traditional adidas three stripes on the sleeves. Sammy Clingan wears the new adidas Northern Ireland home kit Supporters can now pre-order the kit online at www.irishfa.com , in store at JJB Sports and in independent sports shops across Northern Ireland. The kit will be available to buy on Thursday 9 August. NI Fans members can still avail of their 10% discount by using the unique voucher code that will be sent to you by JJB Sports or alternatively present your membership card in-store. The Irish FA sh...