NIFG

In July 2006 Europe was enduring a heatwave, and I remember it well. Hiding in my darkened study, looking round at the stacks of football programmes, shelves of football biographies, and drawers over-spilling with football ephemera, I decided that a lifetime of collecting deserved a home on the internet, and so, Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats was born. In the past 20 years NIFG, with the support of many, has created 2,837 biographies, articles and lists, covering all aspects of international football in Northern Ireland. To mark our 20th birthday, throughout the month of July we will be presenting daily top twenties, charting the landmark achievements of many (Northern) Ireland internationals dating back to 1882. Day 1: Most Games in the English Leagues Day 2: Top Goalscorers in European Club Competitions Day 3: Most Capped Northern Ireland Internationals Day 4: 4th of July Special! Most Appearances in Major North American Soccer Leagues Day 5: Northern Ireland's Younge...

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of George Glass. George passed away at his Belfast home on 5th December last year, just eight months after his dearly loved wife, Muriel. I first heard from George shortly after this site launched in 2006, when messages of corrections started to arrive. There followed dozens of emails including player profiles and statistical articles and I soon got to learn a bit more about George. He was widely respected within the statto community, counting among his works contributions to Cris Freddi, Marshall Gillespie, Malcolm Brodie and the IFFHS. He also completed extensive work on Linfield's history with their late chairman, David Crawford. As a boy, George was taken under the wing of the Northern Ireland squad during a childhood illness. He was invited into the team's dressing room on the afternoon of 4th December 1957 prior to the World Cup Qualifier against Italy, and was there as the team were informed the match had been down...

This afternoon I spent an enjoyable few hours chatting with Evan Marshall, the man behind the Spirit of '58 documentary and book. We covered all of football history from that glorious 50s era through the ups-and-downs of the intervening near-60 years right up to our most recent successes and the World Cup qualifying campaign ahead. We also talked about his forthcoming projects that will cover the halcyon days of Billy Bingham's team of the 1980s and the inherent vagaries of documentary production. Although it is highly unlikely that the Spirit of '58 documentary will see a wider release, there are plans to show it to limited audiences, so should the opportunity present itself please look out for those. The Spirit of '58 book is available to buy online or at all good bookshops across the country. Good look to Evan for his forthcoming projects which should become available to the public in 2017. Keep up to date by following Clackity Films on Facebook an...

We have available for sale GREEN & WHITE ARMY wristbands. All profits will go to a selected charity. These would be a fantastic identifier for fans who are traveling to France this summer! To date wristband sales have raised over £300 for  Oxfam ,  Movember  and the current selected charity, the British Heart Foundation . If you would like to buy a wristband or wristbands they are available as follows: 1 band £2.50 3 bands £7.00 10 bands £21.00 For larger quantities get in touch via email . The wristbands are 202mm in diameter, 12mm wide and 2mm thick and debossed with the words "GREEN & WHITE ARMY". These prices include postage to the UK. Costs for posting abroad are available on request . Payment will only be accepted via PayPal (see menu below) or cheque. If you would like further information, please contact us via email , and details will be forwarded to you. Buy Now with PayPal Quantity 1x Wristband £2.50 3x Wris...

NIFG would like to wish all our readers and contributors a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2016! Christmas Quiz Time Can you identify the players disguised as Santa!

NIFG would like to wish all of our visitors and contributors a very happy Easter!

See also: 2009 Results

NIFG would like to wish all our readers and contributors a very Happy Easter ... ... remember to share your eggs!

Promising news from the Irish FA regarding Northern Ireland's home venue... Jim Kerr (Linfield FC Chairman), Heidi-Beth Hudson (SportNI representative) and Jim Shaw (Irish FA President) . THE Irish FA is delighted to receive a Letter of Offer from DCAL to allow the Association to begin the first stage of the Windsor Park redevelopment project. The Irish FA has been working closely with DCAL, SportNI and Linfield Football Club regarding the stadium project and the Association acknowledges the great work involved to date from all the partners. Irish FA President, Jim Shaw said: “ It is great to finally get the go-ahead from DCAL for our plans for the redevelopment of Windsor Park. This is a great step forward for football in Northern Ireland. We have a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead of us before Windsor Park is complete, but this is a major step in the process and we are delighted that we have been given the green light.” ...

NIFG would like to wish all of our contributors and readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2012! Lets hope it also brings an up-turn in fortunes for the Northern Ireland team... As a wee Christmas Brucie Bonus... KEEP CALM AND FOLLOW NORN IRON

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NIFG would like to wish all our readers and contributors a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2011!

The great Pat Jennings recently turned 65 - belated birthday wishes Big Man! NIFG hasn't quite reached such vintage yet, for today we turn FOUR. Like most four year-olds we've learnt an awful lot, we've made plenty of mistakes and a bit of a mess at times, but by now the world is getting used to us and we're getting used to the world. Be patient with us and we'll try to pay attention and avoid being distracted by that new shiny thing over there as we continue to grow and mature. Thanks, once again, to all of those who have been in touch over the past twelve months with information, memories and corrections. Please keep them coming too, for the day we can't make use of some new fact will be the day all stattos give up and put all their newspapers, magazines, programmes and books on ebay!

NIFG would like to wish everyone who has visited and contributed to the site over the past twelve months a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

NIFG celebrates its second birthday today. We're proud of what we've managed to put together in the past two years - the most comprehensive chronicle of Northern Ireland international football available on the internet. There's still much to do! This is a project that will never be finished as more players don the famous green shirt and more research of the past 126 years has still to be carried out. Thanks for all your comments, queries and criticisms. Please keep them coming as they have helped improve the site immeasurably!

In an attempt to make the site easier to use all the links have been messed up. If you know what you're looking for use the search box in the top left of the screen. I'll fix it all later!

NIFG would like to pass its condolences to the Best family following the death of Dickie Best, father of George . Dickie remained a man of great dignity over the last forty-plus years in the face of much intrusion into his own life by the celebrity and infamy surrounding his son's life and sad early death. He remained true to his East-Belfast roots, proud of all that George achieved and supportive in times of trouble. Despite his small stature he will forever remain a huge figure in the history of football in Northern Ireland. Rest In Peace Dickie.

As the festive season approaches NIFG would like to wish all its readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2008... jcd

Have you got any old football books relating to Northern Ireland? Here at NIFG we are looking for yearbooks, club histories and biographies to help fill in the gaps. If you have anything that may help, please get in contact and we can discuss a price.