NIFG

As the FIFA Club World Cup is currently being played out in the United Arab Emirates, it seems appropriate to look back on the (Northern) Ireland players that have claimed world titles in the past, at club level at least. From Wicklow to Harrow. Two time FA Cup winner, Edward Bowen  The first World Cup, won by Renton in 1888 For the decade-or-so that followed 1871/72, it could realistically be claimed that the winners of the  FA Cup  were the best team in the world. There was an Irish-born player in the first two finals, though Wicklow-born Edward Bowen played for England against Scotland in the first (unofficial) fixture between the two countries.    Year Winners Res Runners-Up Venue 1872 Wanderers 1-0 Royal Engineers Kennington Oval, London   Edward E. Bowen     ...

What's the answer? The FA Community Shield is the curtain-raiser for the English domestic season, pitting together the previous campaign’s league champions and FA Cup winners. The origins of the trophy lie in the Sheriff of London Shield , also known as the Dewar Shield after its benefactor, Sir Thomas Dewar, which was first played in 1898. It was an annual match between the leading professional side (the Football League champions or FA Cup winners) and amateur side of the time (usually Corinthians). Proceeds from the match were donated  to local charities and hospitals. Norman Whiteside's 1983 winner's shield In 1908, following a schism between the Football Association and the Amateur Football Association, the FA Charity Shield was founded as a replacement. Initially the match pitted the Football League champions against the Southern League Champions, but the format varied throughout the years until settling down to the current format of League Champions verses FA C...