Category: Northern Ireland Football Team

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match

Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️: Home Of The World’s First Ever Competitive International Football Match ⚽🏆🥅

Posted on by Jonny Blair
“This Is Where It All Begins” – The Back Four.
“Can’t stop this thing we started” – Bryan Adams.
Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Ever Competitive International Football Match
Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Ever Competitive International Football Match

Football Question: Where was the world’s FIRST EVER competitive international football match played? ⚽🏆🥅

The correct answer is of course: BELFAST, Northern Ireland(then known as Ireland, but still the Irish Football Association/IFA).💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️

Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Ever Competitive International Football Match
Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Ever Competitive International Football Match

What’s the craic with it being in Northern Ireland?

(Many thought it was Scotland, England or Wales).

You’d be wrong if you thought the world’s first competitive international football match was held in Scotland, England or Wales! It was actually held in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the 26th January 1884. On that day, the Ulster Cricket Ground in Ballynafeigh, Belfast hosted Scotland at home in what was the world’s FIRST ever competitive match! The competition held in Ballynafeigh was the British Home Championships in its inaugural year, 1883 – 1884. All international football matches before that were friendlies and not part of any competition!
The British Championship Trophy which Northern Ireland won in 1984 and have been champions ever since
Davey and I with the British Championship Trophy which Northern Ireland won in 1984 and have been champions ever since

The Previous International Matches Were NOT Competitive

Before the WORLD’s FIRST competitive international football match took place in Belfast, only four teams had ever played international football, and they were all classed as friendlies or challenge matches! They were not competitive matches, nor were they in listed competitions, some of them were not even recognised by FIFA!

Non-Competitive International Football 1870 – 1884

Before the world’s first ever competitive international football match in Belfast in 1884, there were four international football teams playing friendly matches. The first international football fixture in recorded history between two different countries (not club sides) was in 1870, when England hosted Scotland at the Oval in London, England. That match ended 1-1.

The first ever international match was in 1870

The first international fixture recognised by FIFA in recorded history between two different countries (not club sides) was in 1872, when Scotland hosted England at Hamilton Cresent in Partick, Scotland. That match ended 0-0. 

The 1972 England v Scotland friendly

From 1870 to 1884, many other matches were played internationally between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (Northern Ireland, IFA – the Belfast one). None of those were in a competition until finally…the idea came and Belfast had the honour of hosting the world’s first ever international football match! This is where it all began!

The British Home Championships (1884 – 1984)

The British Home Championships is also sometimes known as The British Championships or The Home Nations Championships (historically also known as the British International Championship or simply the International Championship). It is the world’s FIRST and OLDEST competitive international football tournament. Before that tournament, all international football matches between two countries were friendlies, not for any competition! England played Scotland in the world’s first international football match back in 1870 but it was a friendly. For the next 14 years, only four countries played friendly international football matches – England, Ireland (now Northern Ireland), Scotland and Wales. Then in 1884, finally a competition happened and Belfast was the chosen host!
The Northern Ireland (IFA/Ireland) team which won the British Championships in 1914

The British Home Championships ran from 1884 to 1984, so exactly 100 years. It was postponed or cancelled a few times due to war. In 1984, in its final year it was fitting that Northern Ireland won the trophy, becoming holders for only the 9th time, despite finishing fourth in the overall rankings! 

Northern Ireland British Champions 1984 (final year)

Northern Ireland’s wins were – 1902 – 1903, 1913 – 1914, 1955 – 56, 1957 – 58, 1958 – 59, 1979 – 1980, 1980 – 1981 (holders), 1983 – 1984. As winners in 1984, in the tournament’s 100th year, Northern Ireland got to keep the trophy outright! Therefore every year since 1984, Northern Ireland have been British Champions. This puts Northern Ireland second on 49 wins, after England on 54.

Total wins (1884 – 2024*)

Team Wins
total		 Wins
outright		 Shared
wins
 England 54 34 20
/ Northern Ireland 49 44 5
 Scotland 41 24 17
/Wales 12 7 5

* when the competition ended in 1984, / Northern Ireland were on 9 wins, 4 outright and 5 shared. If the competition is not revived by 2030, Northern Ireland will overtake England on 55 total wins.

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

It is fitting then, that Northern Ireland won the last ever British Championships in 1984, exactly 100 years since they hosted the first ever competitive match! Northern Ireland also invented the penalty kick – William McCrum from Milford hence the nickname “McCrums”

The sign at the entrance to Milford - home of the penalty kick.
The sign at the entrance to Milford – home of the penalty kick.
Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland and William McCrums Legacy
Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland and William McCrums Legacy

Northern Ireland are still…

– the smallest country to draw with the holders at a World Cup. Drew 2-2 with holders West Germany in 1958.
– the smallest country to reach more than one World Cup tournament. (1958, 1982, 1986)
– the smallest country to reach the knockout phase of a World Cup tournament. (1958, 1982)
– the smallest country to reach the quarter finals of a World Cup tournament. (1958)
– the smallest country to reach the last 12 of a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the smallest country to reach the second group stage of a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the smallest country to win our group at a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the smallest country to score six goals at a World Cup tournament. (1958)
– the smallest country to score five goals at a World Cup tournament. (1982)
– the last UK country to score against Spain at a World Cup & we did that in 2 consecutive World Cups (1982,1986).
– the only UK country to score against Algeria at a World Cup. (1986).

My book Champian Stewartnova is available here –

How To Buy My New GAWA Book: Champian Stewartnova – Supporting The Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

How To Buy My New GAWA Book: Champian Stewartnova - Supporting The Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
How To Buy My New GAWA Book: Champian Stewartnova – Supporting The Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

The First Ever Competitive International Football Match in Belfast

So now that we know the first ever competitive international football match was in Belfast, what happened in it? Is it on YouTube? Any photos? Was there a match programme? Sadly, because it happened in 1884, we have hardly any reliable data on it, other than the venue, the teams, the score, the scorers and the rough attendance. The final score was 5-0 to Scotland! Although it is rumoured that Northern Ireland had 6 goals ruled out for offside.
26th January 1884 (time unkown)
IFA v SFA
Ireland (now Northern Ireland of course) 0-5 Scotland
Goalscorers – Harrower 12, 86. Gossland 39, 70. Goudie 60.
Venue – Ulster Cricket Ground, Ballynafeigh Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland (now known as Ulidia Playing Fields).
Attendance – 2,000.
Referee – Thomas Hindle (England).
The first ever British Championships!
Also of note – Wrexham in Wales hosted the second ever competitive international football match, then Belfast again for the third competitive international football match. Scotland then hosted the fourth competitive international football match. England didn’t host any in the inaugural tournament, which seems bizarre, and Scotland ran out winners! In fact, of the first SIX competitive international football matches, none of were hosted in England! Manchester finally hosted England’s first competitive international football match in 1885. England were fourth to join the party while Ulster was basking in the glory…
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

** Venue of The World’s FIRST EVER Competitive International Football Match**

The Ulster Cricket Ground in Ballynafeigh Park was the location for the world’s first ever competitive international football match. It is currently STILL a sports venue in Ballynafeigh, Belfast. It opened in 1879, and it was the home ground of both Ulster Cricket Club and Ulster F.C. During the 1880s. It also hosted several Irish Cup finals and of course Ireland international games in football and cricket. It has also hosted rugby union internationals. The ground is now Ulidia Playing Fields, owned by Belfast City Council and used by Rosario Youth Club F.C. and Ballynafeigh Breda Star F.C. And so…with my Dad I went along in July 2024 to savour this truly epic piece of World football history!

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

My previous Football Pilgrimages

Down the years, I have visited 229 recognised countries and had a football experience in all of them. I have attended over 700 football matches worldwide and backpacked to over 200 football stadiums. I have attended 6 major tournaments, watching Northern Ireland at two of those. I have attended the World Cup final (2014) and the national cup final in Poland and Northern Ireland. I have been to around 150 AFC Bournemouth matches, over 130 Northern Ireland matches, over 130 Glentoran matches and over 130 Legia Warszawa matches. Here are some of my previous wacaday football stories…

Flying the Northern Ireland flag inside Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end! Mexico City.
Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end! Mexico City.

As well as backpacking football all over the world, I also go groundhopping and footballwhacking while currently based in Poland.

At the Deyna Arena - I became a Klub Pilkarski Starogard fan in Poland
At the Deyna Arena – I became a Klub Pilkarski Starogard fan in Poland

My Journey to the HOME of competitive international football

⚽⚽⚽🥅💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️
Today I embarked on an adventure to a truly incredible place of WORLD football history. I visited the place where the world’s FIRST ever competitive international football match was played. Ireland (the Belfast Irish FA’s original “Ireland” – now called Northern Ireland) played Scotland here in January 1884. This is a small grassy area off Saint Jude’s Parade at Ballynafeigh, Belfast, Northern Ireland and was known as Ulster Cricket Ground. 2,000 spectators watched the first ever competitive international football match here, where Scotland won 5-0 away. Here now the current football club, Rosario YFC play. I went with my Dad, Joe Blair, who played here on many ocassions down the years! Whilst reminiscing and dandering through these epic gates, Dad shared his stories of playing on this pitch, his old primary school nearby (Park Parade), the way the corner flag location has moved, how the fence was outgrown by trees and some graceful anecdotes from life in Belfast City in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I arrive at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

The British Championships, Home Nations Championships started here on 26th January 1884! The next three countries to host a competitive international football match in order were Wales (second), Scotland (third) and England (fourth). There’s quite an irony in that order given that for international matches England hosted the first one (5 March 1870 at the Oval, London) and Scotland hosted the first FIFA recognised one (30 November 1872 at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow). Dad and I were suitably inspired as we dandered around this magnificent and special place.

Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match
Dad and I touring Ulidia Playing Fields, The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

After entering the front gate, we see that these days this is the home of local club Rosario YFC. There are two full size pitches here and as a result, it actually becomes unclear exactly which location the first ever competitive international football match was played at. So naturally we tour both.

The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields

The first pitch, is 4G or 3G and is in fine condition. As well as hosting the local club, this pitch is also used for kids football, ladies football and indeed a global community tournament once a year. There is plenty of room for spectators.

The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The First Pitch (front) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!

The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields

After checking out the first pitch, we head to the second pitch at the back of the venue. This is a grass playing surface and is flat. The flatness of both pitches make Dad and I realise why this venue was chosen and why it is still a great place for football. As we near the rear part, something twigs in me that it was probably this back pitch that was used. Again, Dad and I stare and dander in awe as we grace the grass. It’s a damp, wet morning which seems fitting. Once upon a time, Scotland came here in 1884 for the world’s first ever competitive international football match. This is nothing short of epic.

Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Ever Competitive International Football Match
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
Me in between the First Pitch (front) and Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!
Pointing to The Second Pitch (back) at Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland – where competitive international football all began!

After being inspired, overwhelmed and overaud, and airballing a few George Best goals, we make the final pilgrimage back towards the clubhouse, the changing rooms and the entrance gate…

The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast

As we are here on a weekday and in close season, the clubhouse is closed as are the changing rooms. This took nothing away from the magic as it was just Dad and I. Just two of us here. We are the only two tourists, even though Dad is a Belfast Boy who grew up nearby on Glentoran Street (now Shamrock Place).

The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse And Entrance At Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields
The Clubhouse and entrance at Ulidia Playing Fields

How To Get To Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast

The best way is by car, if you have one of course. I was here with my Dad and so we drove to Saint Jude’s Parade, from the Ravenhill Road side. You can park on Saint Jude’s Parade. It is easy to find on Google Maps…and Street View (it’s on the right below).

Saint Jude’s Parade, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Saint Jude’s Parade, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The exact location can be seen on Google Maps at the greenery below. The entrance is on the Ormeau Road.

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

As for public transport, ANY bus that goes down the whole Ormeau Road or Ravenhill Road will stop just past Saint Jude’s Parade. The latest Ulsterbus Translink timetable is here. There are no train stations that close, but if you fancy a dander, get out at Belfast Central / Lanyon Place train station and it’s a 30 to 35 minute walk.

How to get to Rosario From Lanyon Train Station

Even the bus stop had a football reference, with a McDonald’s hat-trick written on it, on my visit in July 2024.

Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World's First Competitive International Football Match
Visiting The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match

It’s NOT Always Open!! RAY of Light!

Please be aware that this place is not always open! The gates can be locked. Dad and I got lucky, maybe God shone on us, we don’t know. But that morning, there was a worker from Balloo called Ray and he was inside the grounds working on a job. This meant he had to ask for the gates to be opened. The weirdest thing is Ray was from Southampton in England, rival team of my beloved AFC Bournemouth! We had a great chat as we all loved football and we were here during Euro 2024.

Ray of Light! Ray and I at the place where competitive football all began!

In The Nearby Area

Nearby, there are some shops, cafes and restaurants. Right opposite, there is a bar (The Pavilion Bar) and an Orange Lodge. Plus Forestside Shopping centre is up the road, as is the Ormeau Park…Also bizarrely it is beside the old BT Telephone Exchange where my Dad also used to work!!

The Pavilion Bar
The Ormeau Road
The Orange Lodge
The Telephone Exchange

After Northern Ireland, who were the next countries to first host a competitive international football match?

While little Northern Ireland are the world pioneers for hosting competitive international football, other countries soon copied, including Wales who did it a month later! After competitive international football ⚽🏆🥅all started HERE in Ballynafeigh, Belfast, Northern Ireland💚🔴🤚☘️⚽️ in 1884, FIFA now has over 210 members doing it!! The FIRST 15 countries to HOST a competitive international football match in order are…
1.Ireland (Irish FA, now of course Northern Ireland). 1884. BC.
2.Wales. 1884. BC.
3.Scotland. 1884. BC.
4.England. 1885. BC.
5.Greece. 1896 (or 1906). OG.
6.Belgium. 1904. ECT.
7.Argentina. 1905. CL.
8.Uruguay. 1906. CL.
9.Sweden. 1912. OG.
10.Philippines. 1913. FECG.
11.China. 1915. FECG.
12.Japan. 1917. FECG.
13.Brazil. 1919. CA.
14.Guatemala. 1921. ICG.
15.Yugoslavia (Yugoslavian FA, now Serbia). KAC.
Key –
BC = British Championships/Home Internationals.
ECT = Évence Coppée Trophy.
CL = Copa Lipton.
OG = Olympic Games.
FECG = Far Eastern Championship Games.
CA = Copa America.
ICG = Independence Centenary Games of Central America.
KAC = King Alexander’s Cup.

This is where competitive international football ALL began!

Touring Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast in Northern Ireland is also a superb place for backpacking in. There is the excellent Titanic Centre, as well as The Oval Tour, Narnia Away and The World’s Most Bombed Hotel. In Belfast, you can get lots of souvenirs including fridge magnets, postcards and customised cards. Get 20% off any Card. use code: NEWCUST20 at Funky Pigeon. Check out all my articles on backpacking Northern Ireland or touring Northern Ireland.

Touring Belfast City – the Odyssey Centre
Ready to explore the Titanic Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland
best capital cities
Belfast City Hall, Northern Ireland.

I truly recommend visiting Ballynafeigh in Belfast, Northern Ireland – the world home of competitive international football!

Here are some relevant links to Visiting The Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match at Ballynafeigh, Belfast, Northern Ireland:

https://belfastmictours.com/ballynafeigh/

http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamStadia/Ireland/NIrUlster.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Cricket_Ground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Cricket_Club

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/things-to-do/outdoor-leisure-activities/sports-pitches-and-facilities/ulidia-playing-fields

https://www.thenafl.co.uk/grounds/id/48#

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=166419830079954&paipv=0&eav=AfYYkl-Ij0dQsxwnv60mdfESGFcZVRwpycZqlifzYP1jsQLUYD2fap1CXzONjaifSYk&_rdr

Here are some of my videos from Visiting Ulidia Playing Fields – The Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Home Of The World’s First Competitive International Football Match:

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009

My book ChampIAN STEWARTnova Was Stolen

Posted on by Jonny Blair
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

November 2022 was the scheduled release of a 42 year in making book, my epic ChampIAN STEWARTnova. Following the Northern Ireland football team 1980-2009.

In true irony, the only parts of that book that remain in full are the only TWO parts NOT done by me.
1.The cover art and design. I have them on email thank God, from Daniel Sidebottom, my designer. As well as uploaded to this blog.
2.The Foreword written by World Cup footballer (Mexico 86) Ian Stewart. Ian emailed it to me, so I have it.

The rest is lost forever despite me backing it up in three places.
1.My laptop desktop. Standard. Stolen
2.My backup hard drive. Also standard but I backed it up in June 2022 last, which was before a lot of the very final edits and chapter adding. RETRIEVED!!
3.A special USB I had only for my books and poetry. Stolen.

Imagine on one day, I take ALL THREE of those out of my flat with me. And on that day a criminal asshole that should be sentenced to life imprisonment cowardly and callously steals my laptop on a bus with a snatch and grab attack. It all happened so fast and I only realised the horror of that nasty theft when I returned to my flat.

It was then I realised that for once, I hadn’t emailed that book to myself or anyone. I had only those three backups of it. I hadn’t saved or written it anywhere else. That book, with 42 years of effort was gone.

It was a BRILLIANT BOOK. It had stories from watching Northern Ireland football matches from 1980-2009. Once it was finished, I started working on the follow up book, untitled but to be about “20 years following Northern Ireland without actually living there, 2003-2023”. That book was 50% finished as well. It’s gone too.

They’re gone and I don’t have the energy to do 42 more years of work. The only real way I would consider this book being released is if the thief goes to prison or i find a person willing to write/type it all up again if I read it to them. Even then, it will be a different book. I cannot replicate those stories.

For peace of mind, here is the cover art and the final chapter listing, I have a draft version but it will take me a LONG TIME to recover from this and get it ready to release.

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

ChampIAN STEWARTnova by Jonny Blair
ChampIAN STEWARTnova by Jonny Blair

Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School/Always Look On The Whiteside of Life
Chapter 7 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 8 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 9 – You Weren’t Going Till The USA
Chapter 10 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 11 – Here We Go…Again
Chapter 12 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 13 – The Day The Football Died
Chapter 14 – Danny Boy
Chapter 15 – The Healy Awakes
Chapter 16 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 17 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 18 – The Princes of Wales/There’s Only One Dirty Sanchez
Chapter 19 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 20 – From Deansgate To Brandenburg Gate To Barfgate
Chapter 21 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 22 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 23 – Northern Ireland 1-0 England
Chapter 24 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 25 – He Came From The Cregagh
Chapter 26 – WAGM and SOENISC
Chapter 27 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 28 – YAMD
Chapter 29 – Isle Of Green
Chapter 30 – Everybody Frankenstein
Chapter 31 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 32 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 33 – A Kick In The Baltics
Chapter 34 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 35 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 36 – Bratislava
Chapter 37 – Trieste
Chapter 38 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 39 – Any Port In A Snowstorm
Chapter 40 – Ryanair Loyal
Chapter 41 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 42 – Solitude To Debrecen
Chapter 43 – Just Being Scilly Would Have Happened
Chapter 44 – Ulster’s Number One
Chapter 45 – The End of A Northern Eire
Chapter 45 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 46 – Where were you for Chile 89?

Omitted – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Omitted – Tony Kane Loyal
Omitted – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

Posted on by Jonny Blair

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009 is currently in its final edits. This took a lot longer than I anticipated – the writing was basically completed by October 2010, but one thing after another led to delays. Many chapters had to be skipped, cut, replaced, ommited, repositioned, edited etc. This list below is the current chapter listing, which I admit is also subject to change depending on the publishing details and stipulations before the printing begins.

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

There will be a further update around the time of the book’s release, which I expect to be BEFORE Qatar 2022 starts.

Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School/Always Look On The Whiteside of Life
Chapter 7 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 8 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 9 – You Weren’t Going Till The USA
Chapter 10 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 11 – Here We Go…Again
Chapter 12 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 13 – The Day The Football Died
Chapter 14 – Danny Boy
Chapter 15 – The Healy Awakes
Chapter 16 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 17 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 18 – The Princes of Wales/There’s Only One Dirty Sanchez
Chapter 19 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 20 – From Deansgate To Brandenburg Gate To Barfgate
Chapter 21 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 22 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 23 – Northern Ireland 1-0 England
Chapter 24 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 25 – He Came From The Cregagh
Chapter 26 – WAGM and SOENISC
Chapter 27 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 28 – YAMD
Chapter 29 – Isle Of Green
Chapter 30 – Everybody Frankenstein
Chapter 31 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 32 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 33 – A Kick In The Baltics
Chapter 34 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 35 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 36 – Bratislava
Chapter 37 – Trieste
Chapter 38 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 39 – Any Port In A Snowstorm
Chapter 40 – Ryanair Loyal
Chapter 41 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 42 – Solitude To Debrecen
Chapter 43 – Just Being Scilly Would Have Happened
Chapter 44 – Ulster’s Number One
Chapter 45 – The End of A Northern Eire
Chapter 45 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 46 – Where were you for Chile 89?

Omitted – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Omitted – Tony Kane Loyal
Omitted – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

Original Chapter Listing is below – it doesn’t apply anymore.

Chapters

Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 7 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 8 – You Weren’t Going to the USA
Chapter 9 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 10 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 11 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 12 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 13 – The Princes of Wales
Chapter 14 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 15 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 16 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 17 – Flag Stays Down, Healy!
Chapter 18 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 19 – Waggim
Chapter 20 –
Chapter 21 – YAMD
Chapter 22 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 23 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 24 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 25 –
Chapter 26 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 27 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 28 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 29 – San Marino Away
Chapter 30 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 31 – The End of An Eire
Chapter 32 – End of the Road
Chapter 33 – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Chapter 34 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 35 – Where were you for Chile 89?

My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova - Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 - 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009

 

Northern Ireland Football Internationals Born Abroad

Northern Ireland Football Internationals Born Abroad

Posted on by Jonny Blair
The night Stevie Lomas told me “sure I never touched him”, thon time he elbowed a Liechtenstinian!

I tried to add this one to Wikipedia but it was rejected as they didn’t believe me. Wikipedia are stuck up in their own ego thinking they know better than everyone else. So I’ll post it here instead. This is a list of Northern Ireland international footballers who have represented Northern Ireland/Ireland (the 1880 original Ireland) at full level but were born outside Northern Ireland. B internationals, under 21s etc. are not counted.

Northern Ireland Football Internationals Born Abroad
Northern Ireland Football Internationals Born Abroad

This list is incomplete, but I will gradually get it updated. England is perhaps not surprisingly the country that has provided the most Northern Ireland internationals born abroad. English born players have also represented Wales, Republic of Ireland and Scotland to name but a few.

Also in 1998, Dele Adebola (born in Nigeria) was included in the Northern Ireland squad to face Slovakia at Windsor Park. Adebola was included in the squad and in the match programme, though he never played for Northern Ireland.

Note: A total of 124 players’ birthplaces remain untraced at this time, the majority from the earliest days of the Ireland national team. It is possible that a small number of these will have been born outside of (Northern) Ireland.

The Holy Grail Of Football Stadiums: Taking A Guided Tour of The Oval, Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Holy Grail Of Football⚽Stadiums🏟️: Taking A Guided Tour of The Oval, Glentoran Football Club🐓🟢🔴⚫, East Belfast, Northern Ireland🟥🤚☘️

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Le Jeu Avant Tout” – Glentoran FC Motto (“Football comes first before everything else / the game above all”).

The Holy Grail Of Football Stadiums: Taking A Guided Tour of Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland

Firstly, I am a Glentoran FC supporter and have been to this stadium well over one hundred times in my life. I am a football groundhopping veteran now with around 700 matches and 200 stadiums under my belt. Down the years, I have witnessed many goals, wins, draws, defeats, penalty shoots outs, red cards, unusual events, floodlight failures, cup finals, riots and famous matches. Particularly European matches. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club based in East Belfast. We play in green, red and black with a hint of white / a white away kit.

The Oval grounds - Glentoran FC's famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland
The Oval grounds – Glentoran FC’s famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland

We play at a stadium called The Oval Grounds which is a historic and famous venue in the football world. Our club nickname is the Glens or the Cock ‘n’ Hens. Our stadium sits proudly in Sydenham, East Belfast. We have the Sydenham End (behind the nets) to the east which has the George Best Belfast City airport behind it as well as Sydenham train station and two other local teams – Dundela FC and Harland and Wolf Welders. To the north we have an enclosed seated stand in front of the main Bangor to Belfast road, the famous Belfast harbour where the Titanic was built. To the west is the city end, for away fans and offers a decent view to Belfast city’s skyline where the yellow and grey City Hospital often pierces the sky in front of the gaping hills. The entrance to the Oval is from Mersey Street side, via Parkgate Drive, though a former fanzine was entitled “Nightmare on Dee Street”, a homage to the nearby Dee Street often a fans walk to the stadium.

How to get to Glentoran stadium
Location of The Oval grounds – Glentoran FC’s famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland
Location of The Oval grounds - Glentoran FC's famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland
Location of The Oval grounds – Glentoran FC’s famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland

Despite having visited the stadium and been inside the changing rooms and trophy cabinet as a child, my return in December 2019 meant something new for me. I was embarking on the Glentoran FC Groundhopping Tour. This was a first for me, and two of my Polish friends Rafał and Kamil joined me on the tour.

Glentoran FC on Google Earth
Glentoran FC on Google Earth

This unique tour comes highly recommended not just by myself and all at Glentoran Football Club, but by lunatic groundhoppers and football geeks the world over. The fact remains that due to health and safety, public funding and the need to redevelop – The Oval as it stands today (in 2020) may not last much longer in its current form. You should aim to do the stadium tour now while you can. With no lifts and no clear emergency exit, the main stand at The Oval is comprised of an odd 1950s concoction of brick, wood, metal and plastic in no clear order. There are more twists, turns and nooks and crannies than The Crystal Maze, a Poirot thriller and the Monaco Grand Prix all put together. This is a pure cracker of a stand historically and it needs to be seen. You know the drill – get your flight into Belfast City’s George Best Airport booked. While you are in Belfast, you can also…

The Titanic Belfast, Northern Ireland
Titanic Quarter train station in Belfast

Enough of that promotion of Belfast as a world-beater, onto the tour of Glentoran Football Club’s “The Oval Grounds”.

The Holy Grail Of Football Stadiums: Taking A Guided Tour of The Oval, Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Holy Grail Of Football Stadiums: Taking A Guided Tour of The Oval, Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland

About Glentoran Football Club

“Winning at Glentoran is not expectation, it’s demand” – Roy Coyle.

Glentoran Football Club were formed in 1882 in East Belfast in an area where there was a shipyard (Harland and Wolf), a cigarette factory (Gallaghers) and a whiskey distillery. In 2032 we will celebrate 150 years as a football club. The club even survived World War II when we almost folded and again in the last decade, we fought to stay alive in the wake of financial problems. The club remains to this day, sitting here in January 2020 fourth in the Northern Irish top division (three points off the top) and into the last 16 of the Irish Cup.

“Winning at Glentoran is not expectation, it’s demand” – Roy Coyle.

We have been winning trophies for more than a century, with the Vienna Cup in 1914 being the first ever European trophy up to the more recent Irish Cup triumph in 2015. In that time we have developed a rivalry with fellow Belfast sides Linfield and Crusaders, with teams like Cliftonville and Portadown also providing rivalry down the years. On one occasion we won 6 trophies in a season and on another occasion we beat Linfield 7 times in a season! Often known as the 7 up. In European competition, as you will read, we have excelled. Reaching the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners Cup in the 1970s, losing to a Borussia Moenchengladbach side which contained FIVE World Cup winners. No mean feat for a wee club from the East…

Some of Glentoran’s Honours. We ran out of room and money…

My links to Glentoran Football Club

This is simple. My Dad was born on Glentoran Street. Not in a hospital but in a terraced house off the Ravenhill Road on Glentoran Street itself. The street has since been bulldozed and now exists as Shamrock Place. But we are a Glentoran family through and through. My Dad had been to hundreds of Glentoran matches and even played at the Oval in a George Wilson Cup Final long before I was even born.

At The Oval with Dad

On my trips back to Northern Ireland my Dad takes great pride in going back to the Oval with me for a match – we also do some away matches, most recently to Warrenpoint Town, Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine.

At The Oval with Dad

My first Glentoran match was in 1990, a 2-0 home win v. Crusaders. My first Glentoran away match was also in 1990, a 2-1 defeat to Bangor. Ever since I have been a Glentoran fan and have attended over 120 home matches and over 50 away matches (I included semis and finals in that). As a child, I read the book “The Story of Glentoran”, a present from my late Great Grandfather John Mawhinney. My family mostly hailed from East Belfast and were Glentoran supporters. In those days we didn’t take many photos, but I have a few childhood Glentoran memories…

A young Glentoran fanatic
At Windsor Park for the 2000 Cup Final v. Portadown
My first Glentoran kit, aged 10
At the Oval, home of my team Glentoran FC, mid 1990s

Glentoran’s proud European record

“Out comes the goalkeeper [Rinat Dasaev]. Not too sure this time. And it’s a goal! Terry Moore taking the credit for that!” – NI commentator, 1988.

As a kid, I often felt very proud that so many foreign teams could come to the Oval and fail to get a win. We are talking about European teams with legendary status. Glentoran have a proud and fruitful European home record. We have hosted 7 European Cup winners at the Oval (Marseille, Benfica, Steaua Bucharest, Ajax, Juventus, Manchester United – twice, Liverpool). 5 of those teams we played in a competitive match and we drew 1-1 with Benfica, Steaua Bucharest and Liverpool. We only lost 1-0 to Juventus with Warren Feeney missing a late penalty. I might repeat some of this stuff later on…

Glentoran’s proud European record

During the stadium tour, this proud European record is reinforced into our minds through anecdotes, props and the famous Glentoran wooden board featuring all the teams we have played in Europe. Down the years I have been to around 10 European matches at the Oval, yet oddly NONE of the away matches. I will put that right next time we make it into Europe. When we enter the away team dressing room, replica shirts or player’s shirts from those glory European nights are hanging up as a surreal reminder of the greats who have stepped foot in this very dressing room. Spine shivered, I grabbed some photos.

“Even Standard Liege and Spartak Moscow came in the 1980s. But they couldn’t beat Glentoran in their Belfast home” – Stephen Le Fevre.

Well they couldn’t beat Glentoran in their Belfast home…

All of these teams have come to the Oval for a match and failed to win:

Benfica shirt from the 60s during the tour
  • Anderlecht (Belgium) 2-2
  • Arsenal (England) 1-0
  • Brann Bergen (Norway) 3-1
  • Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea (Romania) 2-0
  • FC Basel (Cheatzerland) 3-2
  • FC Valur (Iceland) 2-0
  • CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria) 2-0 – after extra time was 2-1 and we went out
  • CSKA Moscow (Soviet Union) 1-1
Attending the 2002 home defeat to Wisła Kraków in the UEFA Cup
Attending the 2002 home defeat to Polish team Wisła Kraków in the UEFA Cup
  • Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja (Iceland)
  • Tottenham Hostpur (England) 3-3 – 100 year centenary friendly
  • Liverpool (England) 1-1 – 100 year centenary friendly
  • St. Johnstone (Scotland) 1-1 – friendly
  • Progres Niedercorn (Luxembourg) 4-0
  • Standard Liege (Belgium) 1-1
  • Fram (Iceland)
  • Lokomotive Liepzig (East Germany) 1-1
  • Steaua Bucharest (Romania) 1-1
  • Rovaniemen Palloseura (Finland) 1-1
  • HJK Helsinki (Finland) 0-0
  • Alianssi (Finland) 2-2
  • Liepājas Metalurgs (Latvia) 1-1
  • KR Reykjavík (Iceland) 2-2

We have an equally good record against teams from the Republic of Ireland at home in both friendlies and competitive matches. We finished runner up in the Setanta Cup in 2008 (losing 2-1 to Cork City away) and won the All Ireland predeccesors in 1944 (beating Belfast Celtic 5-4 agg.) and in 1974 (beating Cork Hibernians 6-2 agg.). These are some of the Republic of Ireland teams failed to win at the Oval.

  • Longford Town 2-1
  • St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 (twice)
  • Bray Wanderers 3-0
  • Shamrock Rovers 0-0
  • Derry City FC (Northern Irish team who play in the Republic of Ireland) – numerous wins and draws.

On my travels, I often wear my Glentoran shirt to games and stadiums I visit, including presenting one to former Afghanistan under 19 international Mohammed Reza when I visited the country in 2016.

Glentoran FC arrives in Afghanistan
The day my mate Mohammed Reza signed for Glentoran FC

Random Glentoran European facts

  • (European Cup/Champions League) We drew 1-1 on aggregate with Benfica in 1967, same year (and just after)  they took Manchester United to extra time in the final.
  • (UEFA Cup) We beat Arsenal 1-0 at home in 1970. They went on to win the trophy.
  • (UEFA Cup) We lost 1-0 at home to Juventus in 1977, same year as they won the trophy.
  • (European Cup/Champions League) We lost 5-0 at home to Marseille in 1992. They went on to win the trophy.
  • (European Cup/Champions League) Team physio Bobby McGregor died on the pitch in Sofia in 1981. We drew the match 2-2 on aggregate over 180 minutes before conceding an extra time goal at the Oval and bowing out.
  • (European Cup Winners Cup) We reached the quarter finals in 1974, one of only two occasions when an Irish League club has reached the final 8 teams in Europe – Linfield was the other in the 1967 European Cup/Champions League.
Glentoran v. Wisła Kraków away ticket in 2002
  • Despite a fantastic home record in Europe, Glentoran have won only ONE European away match. This was a 2-1 win in Alianssi in 2004.
  • Glentoran have managed a draw at these European clubs in away matches – Benfica (0-0), Midtjylland (1-1), KR Reykjavik (0-0), Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea (2-2), Brann (1-1), Progres Niedercorn (1-1), Rovaniemen Palloseura (0-0), Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja (0-0).
  • Glentoran have played Polish opposition only once, and I was at the home match that day – a 2-0 defeat to Wisła Kraków.
Drinking with ex Glentoran player Robbie Craig (RIP) in the Belfast Basement, Penrith, Australia

Glentoran firsts and lasts

This blog post could be long and it’s not a book so I don’t have time or energy, but here are some interesting firsts and lasts about Glentoran. Let’s get statistical here:

  • Glentoran won the first ever multi-country European trophy – The Vienna Cup in 1914.
  • Glentoran were the first team to be eliminated from Europe on the away goals rule – 1967.
  • Brian Russell of Glentoran scored the last ever competitive goal of the last millennium – v. Linfield on 31.12.1999.
  • Glentoran has been recognised as the team where the first EVER football match video was made – a match at the Oval against Cliftonville.
  • Glentoran were the first team ever to stop Benfica scoring in Europe at their stadium – a 0-0 draw in Portugal in 1967.
Watching Glentoran FC with Michael Whitford in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Why book the legendary Oval Grounds Stadium tour?

Because this is the Holy Grail of world football stadiums! The Oval is a pure fire classic stadium. The main stand has hardly changed since it was built in the 1950s! Groundhoppers around the world love it and even the BBC have cited it as the second best stadium in the world to tour, after La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors. I visited La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in 2010.

Doing the Maradona in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Where to sleep when doing the Glentoran FC The Oval tour

If you are staying in Belfast as a tourist, I recommend these three places depending on your personal preferences. You can either dorm share for cheap at a hostel, sleep in the childhood home of George Best (!) or go luxury at the favourite Park Avenue Hotel.
1.YHA Hostel, Sandy Row, downtown Belfast (budget and central)
2.George Best’s Childhood Home, The Cregagh estate, East Belfast (nearby and mid range)
3. The best hotel in the area however is The Park Avenue Hotel. (very nearby – walkable and dear)
Belfast International Hostel, Sandy Row
George Best’s childhood bedroom, Burren Way, Cregagh Estate, East Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Park Avenue Hotel

Where to drink when visiting Glentoran FC

Belfast is a drinker’s city – the Northern Irish like a good beer or whiskey. My tip for best bars to have a beer in while visiting Glentoran FC are:
1.Glentoran FC Stadium Bar – up the stairs to the left in the main stand.
The Glentoran stadium Bar
2.The Westbourne Glentoran Supporters Club Bar – walkable off the Newtownards Road
3.The Park Avenue – the bar inside the hotel – also walkable
The Park Avenue Hotel, East Belfast
4.The Great Eastern – bar on the Newtownards Road
5.The Cock n Hen – another Glentoran bar off the Albertbridge Road
The Cock n Hen Bar
Further away The Stokers Halt at Ballyhackamore, The Crown Bar, The Dirty Onion, The Duke of York and Robinson’s are my other recommendations. I love a good night on the rip in Belfast City!

Overview of the tour of the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC

The tour starts sharply at 12 noon on a matchday, when the kick off time is usually 15.00 / 3 p.m. You meet at the gates to the stadium and meet the guide and pay for the tour. The payment of £25 (in crisp Northern Irish cash – no card payments) includes a pin badge, a beer in the stadium, a guided tour, entrance to the match and you are likely to be able to meet some of the players, boardroom staff and training staff.

Start of the tour
Start of the tour
Start of the tour
Start of the tour

Once you have paid, our guide Sam Robinson takes us back out of the stadium to explain the significance of the area itself. The East Belfast heartland is a special place. Sam grew up just a few doors down. He’s an Ovalite. He’s a Glentoran nut. He has green, red and black blood. And like myself, he hates the Bloos / Blues (Linfield FC).

The tour continues outside the Oval…
The tour continues outside the Oval…

We head back in and an introduction to the ground and history ensues before we duck down and into the splendour that is not the away team changing room. Fitting 20 sweaty lads into this tiny room? You must be joking. But this is football at its greatest, at its most beautiful. At its most harsh. At its most pure. The away team dressing room would humble Champions League winners and World Cup semi finalists…

“Eusebio’s quaking in his boots, boys!!!” – Glentoran player manager John Colrain.

Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room

The stories begin in earnest now with a step down memory lane. We are stood in a room which has been visited by 10% of the total number of players who have WON the World Cup. And countless beaten finalists, and semi finalists. And countless Northern Ireland internationals, and even ex Glentoran players, or European Cup winners. Remember – Glens have played 7 Champions League winners. There have only been 22 winners of that tournament. In the 1960s, Arsenal were beaten 1-0 here before going on to win the UEFA Cup. We also humbled the mighty Eusebio and Benfica in 1967. Those results are legendary. Even the mighty Juventus in 1977 scraped the 1-0 win, with a late Glentoran penalty miss costing us a draw with the Italians. More recently, in the 1990s Steaua Bucharest scraped a 1-1 draw and Sparta Prague snatched a 2-1 win. Two screamers in the 2010s saw us knock out FK Renova from Northern Macedonia in another entralling night down the Oval.

Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room

The changing room is basic. It’s worse than a BB changing room. I love it. Imagine the shock of an away team coming in here. Turn the heating off lads, 4 at a time into the showers…but it is what’s hanging up in this tiny room that impresses the most – shirts of the teams that have played here – some match worn, others replicas. A story from Ajax Amsterdam arrives via Sam and it was one I didn’t know about…

Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room
Away team dressing room

After that it’s the physio room and the Glentoran home changing room – much better than the away one. Sadly the physio room is also a memorial room to Physio Bobby McGregor who died on the pitch in Sofia in the 1980s.

Memorial room to Physio Bobby McGregor who died on the pitch in Sofia in the 1980s.
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast

Next a surprise for my two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał – one of four Polish references on this tour in fact! We bump into Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!! As Legia Warszawa fans, both my friends saw Marijan play for Legia years ago!! The Croatian former youth international drops by for a chat.

My two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał meet Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!!
My two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał meet Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!!
My two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał meet Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!!

Then we are out on the pitch checking out the famous turf. We get a chat to both the kit man and the groundsman for a further insight into matchday. Star midfielder Hrvoje Plum drops by for a chat too, though I forgot to get a photo with either him or Antolovic!

On the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FC
On the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FC
On the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FC
On the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FC

We then hear about the famous 1960s tour of the USA when Glentoran after a long season represented Belfast under the name Detroit Cougars! A 50 year anniversary match was arranged in Detroit in 2017 to commemorate that event.

Today Glentoran will be…The Detroit Cougars!
Today Glentoran will be…The Detroit Cougars!
Today Glentoran will be…The Detroit Cougars!

Next we are up in the bar and trophy cabinet, perhaps the most insightful part of the tour. There are many trophies here including the famous Vienna Cup and even a keepsake from Kraków – a framed picture of St. Mary’s Church which I recognised immediately from my backpacking days. I was also in the trophy room in the 1990s but it is so great to be back here.

A present from Kraków in the Glentoran trophy room
Another Glentoran honours board
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room
The Glentoran trophy room

The tour continues with more anecdotes and stories from Sam on the history of the main stand before we veer round to the away section past the smell of wafting Glenburgers. The away turnstiles are not always used and today’s match is a non-ticket affair – pay at the gate.

The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast

There is a buzz around the Oval today though – just two days earlier we humbled arch rivals Linfield 3-0 in the famous Boxing Day derby. Today it’s the turn of Ballymena United, who will eventually lose 2-0 despite very dodgy and biased refereeing.

The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast

Back to the tour though and we head back onto the pitch and I hit a mock air pelanty at the Sydenham End against Rafal…

Scoring at the Sydenham ala Barney Bowers or Matty Burrows.

Up on the hill where good views and extreme history relating to the war give us further insight into just how important and historic The Oval really is. There’s the famous bunker which has war history and extravagant views over Belfast city skyline.

The view from history hill, The Oval, Glentoran FC
History hill, The Oval, Glentoran FC
History hill, The Oval, Glentoran FC
Men’s bogs…

The tour isn’t finished yet! We pop into the 1922 room where one of the oldest football supporters clubs in the world still operates. The Glentoran 1922 Supporters Club. Here there are match programmes from down the years, framed pictures and shirts from down the years. This includes a picture of George Best who was rejected by the Glens as a teenager but played one game for his childhood team in 1982 in the Centenary match v. Manchester United. Then, it’s time for the bar for a pint and get ready for the big match!!

1922 room pre match
1922 room pre match
1922 room pre match
Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)
Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)
Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)
Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)
Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)
Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)

World Cup winners to have played at the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC

Our tour guide knows his stuff and is a Glentoran Geek. He knows more about Glentoran than Glentoran. While we are stood in the away team dressing room, Sam Robinson mentions that he counted 15-16 World Cup winners who have changed here or played the Oval. While this might be difficult to check, I came up with a list of players who might have played in those European games and friendlies down the years. Please feel free to message me or comment below to correct this list. We now believe around 30 World Cup winners have been to the Oval, if not played here, making up around 10% of the entire World Cup winners since 1930. All the facts on this post may not be 100% accurate, will update and alter as I find out more.

1930 – Uruguay
1934 – Italy
1938 – Italy
1942 – Germany / Sweden / (no official World Cup)
1946 – Argentina / Brazil (No official World Cup)
1950 – Uruguay
1954 – West Germany
1958 – Brazil
1962 – Brazil
1966 – England
George Eastham for Ards

1970 – Brazil
(still checking)

1974 – West Germany
Berti Vogts for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Herbert Wimmer for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Rainer Bonhof for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Wolfgang Kleff for Borussia Moenchengladbach

1978 – Argentina
Ricardo Villa for Tottenham Hotspur
Osvaldo Ardiles for Tottenham Hotspur

1982 – Italy
Dino Zoff for Juventus
Claudio Gentille for Juventus
Gaetano Scirea for Juventus
Antonio Cabrini for Juventus
Franco Causio for Juventus
Marco Tardelli for Juventus – scored in World Cup final
Paolo Rossi for Juventus – scored in World Cup final

1986 – Argentina
(still checking)

1990 – West Germany
Rudi Voller for Marseille
* Lothar Matthaus, Karl Heinz Riedle, Thomas Hassler all trained at the Oval (possibly more)

1994 – Brazil
(still checking)

1998 – France
Fabian Barthez for Marseille
Basile Boli for Marseille
Didier Deschamps for Marseille – has won the World Cup as player and manager
Marcel Desailly for Marseille

2002 – Brazil
(still checking)
2006 – Italy
(still checking)
2010 – Spain
(still checking)
2014 – Germany
Thomas M,u,e,l,l,e,r for Germany under 21s
Mats Hummels for Germany under 21s
Toni Kroos for Germany under 21s
André Schürrle for Germany under 21s
2018 – France

Other notable players to have played at the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC

Not just my heroes in Green, Red and Black like Billy Caskey, Ron Manley, Alan Paterson, Gary McCartney, Elliott Morris, Barney Bowers, Glen Little, Raymond Morrison, J,o,h,n,n,y Jameson etc. Lots of players down the years have graced the pitch, the bench, the changing rooms and even used the stadium for merely training. While West Germans Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme never played here, they trained here once. These players played on the hallowed turf at the Oval.

The day I met Ron Manley and J,o,h,hny Jameson
Childhood hero Johnny Jameson of Glentoran FC and Northern Ireland
Childhood hero J,o,h,nny Jameson of Glentoran FC and Northern Ireland

George Best for Glentoran (Northern Ireland)
Glenn Little for Glentoran (England)
J,o,h,n,ny Jameson for Glentoran (Northern Ireland)
Fred Roberts for Glentoran (Northern Ireland)
Gerry Armstrong for Bangor (Northern Ireland)
David Healy for Northern Ireland under 21s (Northern Ireland)
Eusebio for Benfica (Portugal)
Luiz Fernandez for Paris St. Germain (France)
Dominique Rocheteau for Paris St. Germain (France)
Norman Whiteside for Manchester United (Northern Ireland)

George Best playing for Glentoran v Manchester United at the Oval in 1982
George Best playing for Glentoran v Manchester United at the Oval in 1982

Peter Beardsley for Everton (England)
Gheorghe Hagi for Steaua Bucharest (Romania)
Mariusz Lacatus for Steaua Bucharest  (Romania)
Abedi Pele for Marseille (Ghana)
Dragan Stojkovic for Marseille (Serbia / Yugoslavia)
Joe Blair for Crusaders Reserves (Northern Ireland) (yes, my Dad!)

My Dad, Joe Blair played at the Oval Grounds, Belfast back in the 1960s

Allen Boksic for Marseille (Croatia / Yugoslavia)
David Trezeguet for France under 21s (France)
William Gallas for France under 21s (France)
Frederic Kanoute for France under 21s (France / Mali)
Rio Ferdinand for Manchester United (England)
Pavel Nedved for Sparta Prague (Czechia)

That list is just a few names – many other superstars of world football have played at the Oval.

The Oval Grounds, East Belfast

Secrets of the tour of the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC

I really don’t want to give away too many secrets about this tour as I want everyone to do the tour for themselves!!! Plus, £25 goes to my club Glentoran FC and this includes entry to the match that day which I consider a bargain and a great way to spend your Saturday.

“My baby’s got a secret” – Madonna Ciccone.

Why the spelling error? Secrets of the Glentoran FC Oval stadium tour
What happens in this room? Secrets of the Glentoran FC Oval stadium tour

However, here are some hints about the secrets we were told on the tour – bear in mind each tour can also be spontaneous and will not be identical so you may learn things I didn’t learn and bump into players I didn’t meet.

  • Learn about the German Blitz on Belfast and how the Oval was bombed by Nazis
  • Find out the story about why the away team dressing room is so legendary
  • Why have Glentoran not updated their European records notice board since 2003?
  • Why is the VIP and Director’s box part of the stand at the end and not in the middle?
Come on Ye Glens!
Secrets of the tour?
Secrets of the tour?
  • What’s the craic on the hill?
  • How did “The Troubles” play its part in Glentoran FC’s history?
  • Find out why myself and everyone at Glentoran FC love Glen Little – a true hero
  • What is the Vienna Cup?
  • Why do we play in green, red and black?
  • Why the cockerel on the club crest?
  • What does Glentoran actually mean in Irish Gaelic?
The Vienna Cup

Here are the details of booking a tour of The Oval Grounds, Glentoran Football Club:

https://www.glentoran.com/ground-hopper-tour-package

With Glentoran FC welcoming visitors from many different countries the club has launched a revised ground hopper package for the 2019-20 season to cater for all match day visitors. Locals and tourists/foreigners alike join this tour.

The package includes:
– Admission to the Grandstand for the match.
– Access all areas matchday tour with Glentoran historians.
– One complimentary pint of lager or stout in the Glentoran Premium Lounge.
– One souvenir collectable Glentoran pin badge.
– Photo of the group posted on glentoran.com

Price £25 per person.

New midweek tours are also available, on request.
To book email [email protected]

My thanks to Sam Robinson and all at Glentoran Football Club for the tour and matchday hospitality, which is second to none.

This blog post at almost 5000 words is lengthier than I envisaged and one of my longest blog posts in years. Alas, it merited it. I loved the tour, I love the Glens and I recommend it for all football fans visiting Belfast city, Northern Ireland’s above-weight puncher. Here are some other useful links related to Glentoran Football Club:

Glentoran FC official website
Glentoran FC Facebook page
Glentoran FC Twitter feed
Glentoran FC on Wikipedia
Glentoran FC on Flickr
Glentoran FC YouTube channel
Vienna Cup on Wikipedia
Vienna Cup feature

The Holy Grail of football – Oval Stadium Tour, Belfast City, Northern Ireland

Here are some excellent blogs and videos on groundhoppers visits to The Oval Grounds, Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland:

The Groundhopper – Best Stadium in UK – The Oval

BBC Story on Glentoran’s Holy Grail – The Oval
The Accidental Groundhopper at The Oval

The Oval on Pitch’d TV Belgian blog

Glentoran wins best ground in 2018 on The Onion Bag

Wouter Scholemma’s book The Way The Ball Rolls featured The Oval in the front

“Come on Ye Glens!” – Glentoran FC supporters.

Here are some videos from my groundhopping tour of Glentoran Football Club:

Here are some other videos on the Oval: and Glentoran FC

#gawa #daretodream Living Out A Childhood Dream Supporting Northern Ireland: My Plans for June 2016

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Michael O’Neill’s Green and White army” – Northern Ireland football fans.

Back in the 80s, dreaming with my first ever Northern Ireland kit and ball
Back in the 80s, dreaming with my first ever Northern Ireland kit and ball

Now that June 2016 has arrived, it feels crazy that this month, I am finally living out a childhood dream. Since my early days growing up in Bangor, Northern Ireland I only had one dream in life. To watch the Northern Ireland international football team live at a major tournament. I was too young to remember Spain 1982 though Dad tells me, I was in my cot next to him while he was watching the matches on TV. After drawing with Yugoslavia and Honduras, we beat Spain in their Valencia backyard, winning the group and we almost beat the French too, to reach the Semi Finals, had Martin O’Neill’s legitimate first half goal have stood (he was never offside).

Four years later, for the 1986 World Cup, I collected the Panini stickers and watched all three matches on TV. Norman Whiteside was my childhood hero and we finished third in a tough group, with Algeria, Spain and Brazil. I remember one of the matches I watched with my Dad, and his friend Raymond and his son Neil Fitzsimmons on a black and white TV in our house in Marlo. As a 6 year old Ulster boy, seeing his country just appear in the only two World Cups since I was born was a dream. Not just that, but losing out on goal difference to the Euro 1984 tournament (having bate West Germany home and away!), and winning the British Championship 3 of the last 4 years it existed (we’re still holders). I thought that Northern Ireland were the best football team in the world.

Arconada...Armstrong!
Arconada…Armstrong!

“Gerry Armstrong, what a worker he is. Striding away there with Hamilton to his right. Norman Whiteside up on the far side of the area. Still Billy Hamilton, he’s got past Tendillo, and Arconada…Armstrong!” – John Motson, 25th June 1982.

The thing is, we were and we still are if you go by head of population! Yes, only really Uruguay (3 million people, 2 World Cups, many Copa Americas) or Trinidad and Tobago (1.5 million, 1 World Cup qualification) can stake an argument that they are better than us. For 1.6 million inhabitants we have twice been in the World Cup Quarter Finals, we have beaten world super powers down the years, produced the best ever outfield player (George Best) and the best ever goalkeeper (Pat Jennings). And we are still the British Champions. And out of that 1.6 million we have, lots of them choose not to support our national team!

Drawing Maradona and the Norn Iron page of my Mexico 86 album
Drawing Maradona and the Norn Iron page of my Mexico 86 album

“He’s tall, he’s thin, he bears a resemblance to Jimmy Quinn” – Northern Ireland football fans.

Since my first Northern Ireland home match in 1990 against Yugoslavia (we lost 2-0 to a brilliant team which featured Darko Pancev and Dragan Stojkovic), I have only missed three Northern Ireland matches when I was in the country of the match at the time! (v. Austria 1991, v. Lithuania 1992, v. Albania 1992). In that time I’ve amassed around 150 matches, keeping match tickets for almost all of them, match programmes for about half of them and photos from about a third of them. Memories last forever. I could tell you almost every goalscorer and almost every team sheet for every Northern Ireland match from 1986 to now.

With Brendan and Michael at the famous 1-0 win over England in 2005
With Brendan and Michael at the famous 1-0 win over England in 2005

“It’s just like watching Brazil” – Northern Ireland football fans.

In that time we’ve had ups and downs as Norn Iron fans, as the Green and White Army. I’ve seen us finish bottom of a group without scoring a goal, I’ve seen us lose 5-0 at home to Spain, I’ve seen us lose 4-1 to Norway yet go mental when we got our goal.

A 1-2 home defeat v. Yugoslavia
A 1-2 home defeat v. Yugoslavia

“These things that are pleasing you, can hurt you somehow” – Glenn Frey.

A 2-2 away draw in Wales in 2004
A 2-2 away draw in Wales in 2004

In contrast to this, I have also seen us extend our unbeaten record to 11 matches (last week with a 3-0 win over Belarus), draw away with teams like Sweden (2007) and beat England (2005), Spain (2006), Denmark (2007), Belgium (1997), Romania (1994) at home.

“These are crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy nights. Oh yeah!” – Kiss.

A 3-0 away win in San Marino with Michael and Gavin
A 3-0 away win in San Marino with Michael and Gavin
Before the 3-2 home win over Poland in 2009
Before the 3-2 home win over Poland in 2009

“KEITH! Gillespie” – Northern Ireland football fans.

Keith Gillespie and I on another trip home to Belfast to watch Northern Ireland
Keith Gillespie and I on another trip home to Belfast to watch Northern Ireland

I used to write for Dr. Wa’s Northern Ireland fanzine, “Arconada…Armstrong!” in the mid 1990s, even had my own column in it as a 15 year and that was my proud first ever writing job. Then in 1997, my friend Michael and I launched our own Northern Ireland football fanzine, called “Here We Go…Again”. I recreated a photo from the 1990s below…

1998 to 2016 - selling Here We Go...Again (same hat, scarf, shirt and fanzine)
1998 to 2016 – selling Here We Go…Again (same hat, scarf, shirt and fanzine)

The fanzine ran regularly from 1997 – 2004, with 19 issues produced and sold, in a period where we had four different managers. But Michael and I got too busy in our respective lives, he got married and I went backpacking and we never quite made that 20th issue.

The good old days. A 1-0 win over Malta, 2000.
The good old days. A 1-0 win over Malta, 2000.

Well, until last week when I was back on the Lisburn Road again, and selling fanzines outside Windsor Park. Here We Go…Again was back, issue 20. As we stood selling fanzines, Michael and Gavin and I knew that nothing had changed. We were still the same guys supporting our countries as we had been in the 80s and 90s. The fans around us were the same, only with some new younger additions. We’ve been on this journey together.

Selling Here We Go...Again down the years
Selling Here We Go…Again down the years
David, Michael and I selling Here We Go...Again featuring Arconada...Armstrong!
David, Michael and I selling Here We Go…Again featuring Arconada…Armstrong!
David, Gavin and I selling Here We Go...Again featuring Arconada...Armstrong!
David, Gavin and I selling Here We Go…Again featuring Arconada…Armstrong!

And now we have qualified for Euro 2016 and this month I am heading to France with my Dad, my two brothers and the Green and White Army. It’s real. It’s happening. These are my family and friends who have stuck by the Northern Ireland team through the years, getting our reward for all those nights of pain, passion and tragedy. Defeats to Luxembourg don’t get any better over time.

With my Dad and his friends in Austria, 2005
With my Dad and his friends in Austria, 2005

My route to France will of course feature some lunacy and hardcore backpacking and I thought I’d share my journey to France with you all. Most followers of this travel blog will be aware of my passion for supporting Northern Ireland, it’s played a huge part of my backpacking journey and on this blog, in fact for the last 4 away matches I have been to, I backpacked my way to them, including Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan.

Alex, Andy and I in Torshavn, Faroe Islands
Alex, Andy and I in Torshavn, Faroe Islands

Having edited the fanzine, written for 2 other fanzines and launched Northern Ireland supporters clubs in three continents, it’s time for me to take a back seat. I’m going to chill out and go to France for the party, rather than the burden of writing, doing PR or organising meetings. Something I did for these three clubs:

1.South of England Northern Ireland Supporters Club (2005-2009)
2. TasmaNIan WilderNISC (short-lived 2010)
3. Hong Kong Northern Ireland Supporters Club (2011 – 2015)

South of England Northern Ireland Supporters Club, 2006
South of England Northern Ireland Supporters Club, 2006
TasmaNIan WilderNISC, 2010
TasmaNIan WilderNISC, 2010
Hong Kong Northern Ireland Supporters Club, 2012
Hong Kong Northern Ireland Supporters Club, 2012

I hope to see all my friends and family from supporting Northern Ireland the last 30 years. If you’re a Northern Ireland fan, we’ve probably met in some bar in Belfast, or in Turkey, or San Marino or Poland down the years. I hope to meet you all again this summer in France! Those who “jump on the bandwagon” though, not sure I’ll have time to meet you if you weren’t there in the dark times 😉 If you weren’t there in the bad old days at Windsor Park and obscure away places like Azerbaijan and Latvia, then you simply haven’t earned much respect in the football fan sphere. I’ve seen enough “plastics” at Dean Court recently as an AFC Bournemouth fan. Some of the lads that I partied with in Turkey have hardly missed a match in 10 years, and Shaun Schofield (whose book I contributed to) hasn’t missed a Northern Ireland match at all since the mid-1990s! Amazing!!

Some of our wee group of 18 Northern Ireland fans who made it to Turkey in 2013.
Some of our wee group of 18 Northern Ireland fans who made it to Turkey in 2013.
Shaun Schofield and I interviewed in Baku, Azerbaijan just before the 2-0 defeat
Shaun Schofield and I interviewed in Baku, Azerbaijan just before the 2-0 defeat

Anyway, here’s my route to France!! #gawa #daretodream

Bangor, NORTHERN IRELAND
Rather than fly to France from Karakalpakstan, Afghanistan or somewhere equally obscure, I decided to come back to Northern Ireland to start this journey where it all began. I will be heading from Bangor to Belfast and then getting a bus south across the Irish border to Dublin.

With 1986 World Cup player Nigel Worthington
With 1986 World Cup player Nigel Worthington

Dublin to Cork, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
From Dublin, I’ll head south west for an emotional return to Cork. I haven’t been back to the city since the 1996 Oasis concert. So I’m gagging to get back. I aim to stay in the Kinlay House Hostel in Cork and do a long overdue tour to the Blarney Castle with Irish Day Tours so that is pretty exciting! Then I’m hoping to meet up with my friends Pol, Anthony and Helen who went backpacking with me in New Zealand and Cambodia, back in the day.

Anthony and I crossing the Laos to Cambodia border some years back.
Anthony and I having a beer after crossing the Laos to Cambodia border some years back.
Anthony, myself and Helen partying in Cambodia in 2012.
Anthony, myself and Helen partying in Cambodia in 2012.
Hayden, myself and Paul in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2010
Hayden, myself and Paul in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2010

Cork to Bergamo, ITALY
I’ll be flying into Bergamo for the first time and then heading to Milan, also for the first time. It will be my fourth or fifth visit to Italy, on previous encounters, I’ve visited Venice, Pisa, Rome and Trieste and a few cross border trips into San Marino and the Vatican City State. This time I will be with my Dad and younger brother Marko. We aim to do some sightseeing in Milan, maybe the San Siro and the Duomo and hopefully I will go on tour with Walks of Italy again.

Dad and Marko will be with me in Milan
Dad and Marko will be with me in Milan

“We beat the Turks, the Spaniards and the mighty Germans too.” – Northern Ireland football fans.

Seborga
As far as countries go, Seborga is one of the most unusual and unknown countries in Europe, and yes it is a country!! I aim to try and visit it to keep up my lunatic country adventure to off the wallbanger places that Timmy Mallet would respect. Let’s face it, once you have backpacked through places Adammia, Ladonia, Gorno Badakhshan and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, nothing will ever be that untouristy again. I have had no reply yet from the Seborga government, so it will be a challenge to get there and get into the country!

Seborga Flag
Seborga Flag

“Sweet Northern Ireland, good times never seemed so good” – Northern Ireland football fans. It is NOT Sweet Caroline!

Nice, FRANCE
The honour falls to the city of Nice in France to provide myself and thousands of Northern Ireland fans with the moment of our dreams. We play our first ever European Championship Finals match here. And no, not because they increased it to 24 teams, not because they increased it to 16 teams. We were in the top 8. We won the group. Just like we did in the 1982 World Cup and the 1984 British Championships. As I write this (before the Slovakia away match) we are 11 matches unbeaten, a record for Northern Ireland.

Jonny Blair and Michael O Neill in Adana Turkey
With Northern Ireland manager Michael O Neill in Adana Turkey

“Will Grigg’s on fire; your defence is terrified” – Wigan Athletic fans.

We play Poland on Nice next Sunday and the place will be pumping with the Green and White Army. It could be emotional. I can’t wait. I am buzzing.

Montecarlo, MONACO
I’m going to take a wee side trip to Monaco while based in Nice. I love visiting these disputed countries and being the home of expensive bars and casinos this will be a cool place to spend a day backpacking in. I’ll up my budget on beers for the day. My Dad, brother and I could be celebrating!

Flag of Monaco
Flag of Monaco

“Please don’t take my Davis away.” – Northern Ireland football fans.

Lyon, France
After Monaco and Nice, it’s off north to the city of Lyon. Here I will be partying with the GAWA (Green and White Army) and watching Northern Ireland v. Ukraine. It will be a tough match for sure, but I backpacked in Lviv, Kiev and Chernobyl last year and took a spanking for the lads. If we beat Ukraine, I’d say we will progress to the Second Stage.

Northern Ireland v. Ukraine, my view last time
Northern Ireland v. Ukraine, my view last time
Selling fanzines at the Ukraine match in 2002
Selling fanzines at the Ukraine match in 2002

“Northern Ireland. Du du du du de.” – Northern Ireland football fans.

Paris, France
After Lyon, I’ll head north to Paris for the Northern Ireland v. Germany match. By that stage hopefully we will have 3 or 4 points and the Germans will have 6 points and we can all have a party if we both go through. I’m serious. High on confidence and belief. For once, I actually think we have a chance of getting out of this tough group. Amongst all this, it gives me a chance to return to Paris for the third time and pretend I love the city…

“You’re supposed to be in jail” – Northern Ireland football fans.

On the rip in Paris in 2007
On the rip in Paris in 2007

I will be staying in France until Northern Ireland are no longer in the tournament and then I will decide my next move. Come and meet me and party in France. It’s a charmed life, or…

“It’s a weird and wonderful world if you come from Wimbledon” – John Motson.

Our beautiful wee Northern Ireland squad for the Euro 2016 finals:

Goalkeepers: Alan Mannus (St Johnstone), Michael McGovern (Hamilton Academical), Roy Carroll (Linfield)

Defenders: Craig Cathcart (Watford), Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion), Gareth McAuley (West Bromwich Albion), Luke McCullough (Doncaster Rovers), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), Lee Hodson (MK Dons), Aaron Hughes (Free agent, was at Melbourne City), Paddy McNair (Manchester United), Chris Baird (Derby County)

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Oliver Norwood, (Reading), Corry Evans, (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest)

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City), Conor Washington (Queens Park Rangers), Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock), Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic).

My personal team to start in the NI v. Poland match #gawa
My personal team to start in the NI v. Poland match #gawa
Northern Ireland 3-0 Belarus last week
Northern Ireland 3-0 Belarus, May 2016

Watching Northern Ireland☘️🔴✋Bate The Faroe Islands🇫🇴 3-1 in Torshavn and Go Top of the Group

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Teenage dreams so hard to bate” – The Undertones

Northern Ireland winning in the Faroe Islands
Northern Ireland winning in the Faroe Islands

It wasn’t Fearghal Sharkey, Norman Whiteside or Colin Clarke that got me into supporting Northern Ireland. It was my Dad. My Dad, Joe Blair is a veteran of over 200 Northern Ireland matches down the years. He dare not count them, but in the past 50 years he’d only miss a home game in an emergency. My Dad also went to Wales, Austria and Liechtenstein away with me in the last 12 years or so and he bought me my first scarf (Mexico 86), Panini Sticker Album (Mexico 86), took me to my first Norn Iron match (A 0-2 defeat to Yugoslavia in September 1990) and got me hooked on supporting my country. Our wee country. This small proud nation of over achievers. 1.6 million of us.

“Back on top again” – Van Morrison

My Dad, Joe Blair supporting Northern Ireland in Vienna, Austria in 2005
My Dad, Joe Blair supporting Northern Ireland in Vienna, Austria in 2005

My Dad wasn’t with me as I backpacked my way through the magnificent Faroe Islands in September 2015. My eyes were on the prize but the GAWA (Green and White Army) daren’t believe it. Of course we can’t. If you’re a real Northern Ireland fan you will know the score, we support through the rough and smooth and we don’t give a flying f**k as we will be there singing till the end. Win, draw or…lose (and let’s be truthful – every match we play could end in any of those three ways – we are unpredictable).

“Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, we’ll support you evermore” – Northern Ireland fans

northern irish backpacker
Nial, Davy and I in Baku, Azerbaijan

We’d draw 1-1 with Honduras then beat Spain 1-0 away (and win the group), we will draw 1-1 with Armenia then grab a sensational 1-1 away to European Champions Germany. You know what – we will lose 3-0 at home to Iceland then dick Spain 3-2 with a Healy hat-trick within FIVE days. Yes – this is the rollercoaster ride of supporting Northern Ireland. And we love it. My previous three away matches before this one were all defeats, and we didn’t even score in any of them! I wrote about my Azerbaijan 2-0 Northern Ireland and Turkey 1-0 Northern Ireland experiences before. Good times, but bad results.

“Here we go, oh, drinking all over the world” – Status Quo Tweaked by the GAWA

Turkey and NI fans
Gary, Shaun, Garreth and Andy in Adana, Turkey

We daren’t expect anything. A 0-0 with Romania in June (which I watched in Hong Kong with Roger from Bushmills) set us up nicely, win in the Faroe Islands and we could be top of the group. Oh really? Aye – but this is Norn Iron. We’re the best and worst team to follow emotion wise. I booked my flights, deciding to spend 6 days in the magnificent Faroe Islands exploring the country and somewhere in the middle of it all was the small matter of the international football match. Which suddenly, became highly important. Aren’t they all?

Alex, Andy and I in Torshavn, Faroe Islands
Alex, Andy and I in Torshavn, Faroe Islands

Arrival in Torshavn was by bus from the village of Sorvagur where I spent my first three days in the country at Guesthouse Hugo. On arrival in the capital, I was greeted by the bouncing GAWA. The Lisburn, Hillsborough and Bangor boys had taken over Café Natur in downtown Torshavn. Flegs, taps and carryouts snuck-in galore. (Translation – flags, NI shirts and alcoholic beverages bought outside that there bar but consumed inside that there bar). The place was pumped with the usual suspects.

The lads in Cafe Natur
The lads in Cafe Natur

You become a community when you follow Northern Ireland. The Green and White Army. The GAWA. Our Wee Country. We know each other, we look out for each other. Nobody takes anything too seriously you see. Except for one thing – the 90 minute match tonight. This was a big one and we were serious about this one. The rest of it was just a party. In 2010 we scraped a 1-1 draw here thanks to La La Lafferty Fermanagh’s Ulster goal machine. Five years on, with a different manager (Michael O’Neill) and a matured team, we were quietly confident as we sipped our drinks in Cafe Natur and Glitnir Bar pre-match. All the NI regulars were here – Glenda and Andy, Toddy (minus the snake), Nial Coulter, Stuart Glencross, Davy McKinley, Aaron McCallister, Sinti, Paul Duffin, Karen Turkington, Michael “Bangorboy” Lewis, Robert Mann. I recognise most of the GAWA to see, lots of them to talk to and some of them I’ve roomed with on away trips down the years. We’ve shared this crazy rollercoaster ride together.

Nial, myself and Aaron in Cafe Natur
Nial, myself and Aaron in Cafe Natur

Espana 82 veteran Jim Rainey was on the decks, pumping out the beats in the vibrant Café Natur. Round the corner in Glitnir Pub, we had Justin from Ballyclare working his way through YouTube classics of the GAWA down the years, accompanied by sidekick Andrew Milliken AKA Moby – yer man from Aghadowey. Mr. Milliken and I have met up in more countries than we can remember.

“It’s the Ulster boys making all the noise everywhere we go” – Northern Ireland fans

Andrew Milliken AKA Moby from Aghadowey. So he is.
Andrew Milliken AKA Moby from Aghadowey. So he is.

And from there the scene was set. It was an away match. We all know you need to win away matches to stand a chance of qualifying. Home matches are the easy ones sure – we won 5/6 home matches in the 2008 Euro qualifiers, yet we won just one away match (Liechtenstein) and guess what – we didn’t qualify. Back in 1985 we bate Romania 1-0 and drew 0-0 in England in our last two away matches to magically qualify for Mexico 86. Sweet dreams my friends. But I was only 6 and some of yousens reading weren’t born.

“She never told me her name” – Tim Wheeler

With Nick and Andrew in Glitnin Pub pre match
With Nick and Andrew in Glitnin Pub pre match

This time, Michael O’Neiil’s boys had been nailing it. La La Lafferty, Fermanagh’s Ulster goal machine went on a crazy run in Athens, nutmegging his opponent and smashing the ball into the net. Hard and low. It was all a dream. Add that goal to Jamie Ward’s first half fluke and we had beaten Greece, a World Cup last 16 side. We bate them 2-0. Away. Oh yeah and before that we had come back from 1-0 down to win in Hungary. We never come back from 1-0 down away and win. This time, there was a hint of belief in the air. Torshavn felt it.

“You can feel it, you can feel it in the air” – Snap (Rhythm is a Dancer)

Torshavn felt the GAWA magic tonight.
Torshavn felt the GAWA magic tonight.

But the Faroe Islands are a hard side to beat these days. They’ve beaten Greece twice in this group. They narrowly lost 1-0 to Romania and even missed a pelanty in Belfast in a 2-0 defeat. Lafferty inspired the Ulstermen on manys a night. There was his superb equaliser in the Sweden away match in 2007, his goal in Poland in 2009, in a match we should have won. Tonight, as we walked from the Café Natur towards the stadium, the GAWA was rather muted in our own nervosity. But we’re never quiet long, so we’re not. A few of us chatted to Sky Sports and UTV’s Ruth Gorman on route to the stadium and I met up with Alex Logan, Owen Shepherd and Nick. Nick had been drinking with me just a few days earlier in Copenhagen, Denmark. Then there was Katie from Boston in the USA. I met her on the walk from the airport to Sorvagur and we did the Gasadalur and Traelanipa hikes together. Somehow on the day, she had met Jim Rainey in Cafe Natur and managed to get a match ticket in the Northern Ireland end!

“Ruth Gorman for UTV Live, Torshavn” – Ruth Gorman

Chatting to Ruth Gorman from UTV pre match in Torshavn
Chatting to Ruth Gorman from UTV pre match in Torshavn

On the walk to the stadium, I popped in for a beer with Richard Henry before the match, as we watched the GAWA lads march to the stadium outside us. Richard and I went back to the late 90s with the fanzine times – him and Marty selling TAWSIE and Our Wee Country. Myself, Michael and Gavin sold Here We Go…Again. That’s why Richard and I felt this is still all a dream. We’re almost in France 2016.

With Owen from London NISC pre match
With Owen from London NISC pre match

The singing got gradually louder, in expectancy. The mutes were no more. We got to the stadium and there were no nerves from Gareth McAuley as he headed in an opener. We were 1-0 up. We were top of the group. It was madness. But we weren’t as loud as normal. There is a tension within the stadium.

“Everyone has been burned before, everybody knows the pain” – The Charlatans

Top of the group at 1-0 up
Sweet Northern Ireland: Top of the group at 1-0 up

We knew it couldn’t last and it didn’t. It was no surprise to see the Faroese get a goal and work their way back into the match, at 1-1. I think most Northern Ireland fans expected it, but we knew we could nick one, somewhere, somehow.

First half ended 1-1 in Torshavn
First half ended 1-1 in Torshavn

The bar at the stadium was selling licensed alcohol which was a surprise. Normally it’s shandy and soft drinks only. We took advantage of this loophole.

Half time beers
Half time beers

There was a twist of fate. In the second half, a Faroese player got sent off. We’re playing against ten men. The likes of Chris Brunt, La La Lafferty, G Mac. Surely fitness will see us over the line here.

“He [Chris Brunt]’s got a name that rhymes with fanny” – Northern Ireland fans (most likely male)

Nick, Richard and Gary
Nick, Richard and Gary

“Woah Gareth McAuley” came the chant to the beat of a White Stripes song (I think). G Mac was there again. We were 2-1 up and in dreamland. He is the new Gerry Taggart! But we knew it would be tight to hold on for the win.

With the travelling Northern Ireland flag (fleg)
With the travelling Northern Ireland flag (fleg)

And then it was crazy times. Our tops came off and we danced and danced and danced. Lafferty put us 3-1 up, and with them down to 10 men and our tight defence, we may have been dancing prematurely. But deep down every Ulsterman and woman in the stadium knew it. This was our night. We were going to win this.

Going crazy on TV at 3-1 up. Amazing times.
Going crazy on TV at 3-1 up. Amazing times.

Josh Magennis (who attended the same Primary School as me – Kilmaine in Bangor) came on as sub and almost grabbed a 4th goal. We had done it. We won 3-1. The rest of the night, was just a party.

“Good times never seemed so good” – Neil Diamond

Party time in Torshavn
Party time in Torshavn

We started off in Cleopatra Bar where I was reunited with the Bangor boys – Stuarty Mellon, Rodney and Alan. Also joining us was Dan Pettigrew who had travelled from the USA to watch Northern Ireland! The Faroese fans were good craic too and they joined in the party. After all, they had already beaten Greece twice in this group.

With some Faroese fans
With some Faroese fans

In Cleopatra Bar we chose the music for a few hours. Tunes like “The Only One I Know” by The Charlatans, “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond pumped out. After Cleopatra Bar, back to Cafe Natur for a few then we hit up the upstairs Irish Pub in town, which seemed to stay open the latest. There were yet more reunions and GAWA friends from previous trips – Squid’s brother Dessie. I had a chat with Paul Duffin in Cafe Natur and Gary Rogers and I reminised on the two horrendous Middle Eastern defeats – to Azerbaijan and Turkey. We had put all that behind us and we could now beat Hungary on the following Monday night and qualify outright!

With Dessie in Cafe Natur
With Dessie in Cafe Natur
End of the night in the Irish Pub
End of the night in the Irish Pub – Gary and Nick and some Faroese ladies in the Irish Pub

The live music in the Irish Pub was good. I stood on my own for a few minutes sipping my beer and listening to their Tequila Sunrise cover. I videoed it, and afterwards I shed a tear. It was an emotional night here. We won 3-1. It was a great night.

The singer in the Irish Pub
The singer in the Irish Pub

With thanks to all of my fellow Northern Ireland fans and heroes down the years mentioned within the post and to my Dad and brothers – Joe Blair, Danny Blair, Marko Blair for the matches we have attended together through the years. I’ve stuck a few photos up as this is an important week for us coming up – let’s get behind the boys and hope we can do it!

My brother Danny (front) and his mate Matt at Windsor Park a few years back.
My brother Danny (front) and his mate Matt at Windsor Park a few years back.
My brother Marko, Austin and I in the Kop for the Faroe Islands match in 2014. We won 2-0.
My brother Marko, Austin and I in the Kop for the Faroe Islands match in 2014. We won 2-0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
With my brothers and our dog!
With my brothers Marko and Danny and our dog Rocky!
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final
Dad and I in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup Final

 

A kick in the Baltics: bad times in Riga, Latvia in 2007
A kick in the Baltics: bad times in Riga, Latvia in 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Monday night after the Faroe Islands was another crazy night as I headed to a pub in Edinburgh in Scotland, where Lafferty’s last minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Hungary saw myself and 5 NI fans I had never met before going wild in the pub! We are now one win, two draws or a Hungary f**k up away from France 2016. Warren Feeney has no doubt we will qualify. I believe his words, he’s an Ulster Cherry too.

Feeney scores against Azerbaijan in 2005
Feeney scores against Azerbaijan in 2005

I’ll be in Crawley of all places for the Greece match and London for the Finland match hoping to meet some of the SOE NISC and London NISC. After that hopefully make it to a few friendlies ahead of France 2016. We will be there. Don’t you doubt it my friends.

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed…” – It’s a hymn sung in church

With Brendan and Michael at the famous 1-0 win over England in 2005
With Brendan and Michael at the famous 1-0 win over England in 2005

We’ll beat Greece at home, but we want and need the GAWA in full voice. Let’s do it and I’ll see you all in France in June with the travelling Northern Ireland flag!

Selling fanzines at Windsor Park for the Spain home match in 2003. We drew 0-0.
Selling fanzines at Windsor Park for the Spain home match in 2003. We drew 0-0.
KEEF Gillespie
KEEF Gillespie

Here are some videos from that crazy crazy night in Torshavn, Faroe Islands:

Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end! Mexico City.

Hand of God and Mexico 86 Memories: Visiting Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

Posted on by Jonny Blair
Here I am - at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!!
Here I am – at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!!

Here goes. This is a big one. A big one for me personally. Every single time I hear the mention of Maradona, Norman Whiteside, Jose Batista, Joel Bats etc. I get inspired. The 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico were my first major childhood memory. Northern Ireland qualified. We punched well above our weight, defying the odds by beating a Gheorghe Hagi Romania as well as a strong Finland and Turkey team, and we finished second in our group to qualify. Big Pat Jennings and Alan McDonald took my wee country of 1.6 million people to the World Cup in Mexico. Our second successive World Cup and I get goose pimples even now just thinking about it. Northern Ireland in the World’s top 24!!

northern ireland mexico 86 fans
Northern Ireland fans in Mexico in 1986 – recognise yourself?

Even better, in Espana 82 we almost made the semi finals, yes if Martin O’Neill’s goal had been given in the match against France, we may have gone on to win. In Mexico 86 we finished a respectable third in a group with Spain, Brazil and Algeria. Not bad at all!

On the way to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to live out a pure childhood dream. Immense!
On the way to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to live out a pure childhood dream. Immense!

Fast forward a notch then as I want to get this down on paper (or on internet) while I have the chance and the memory is fresh. I made yet another Maradona pilgrimage this week. Following my 2010 trip to La Bombonera in La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, I decided it was time to hit one of the greatest football stadiums on the planet – Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.

Why is Estadio Azteca Famous?

There are a few reasons – firstly it is one of only 2 stadiums to host the World Cup Final twice (the other is the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Also the Brazil 1970 team won the World Cup here – including Pele. Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto. Maradona did his “Hand of God” and his “glory goal” here. Hugo Sanchez scored his goals in the 86 World Cup and also…Maradona lifted the World Cup here. The stadium is also home of Club America, the Mexican team.

Maradona was here - Hand of God statue in the Estadio Azteca!
Maradona was here – Hand of God statue in the Estadio Azteca!

Facts About the Estadio Azteca
– It hosted the 1970 World Cup Final: Italy 1-4 Brazil
– It hosted the 1986 World Cup Final: Argentina 3-2 West Germany
– It is the stadium where Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal
– It is the largest football specific stadium in the world
– It holds 105,064 people
– Construction began in 1961 and it opened in 1966
– The stadium has held a total of 19 FIFA World Cup Finals matches, a record
– In 1999 Mexico beat Brazil 4-3 here to win the Confederations Cup
– Irish Rock Band U2 have also played here

Estadio Azteca hosted the 1986 and 1970 World Cups.
Estadio Azteca hosted the 1986 and 1970 World Cups.

How to get to Estadio Azteca?

Get on the metro in Mexico City and head to the southernmost station on the blue line – Tasquena. I was staying in the awesome Casa San Ildefonso so I got on at Zocalo and stayed all the way to the end. Tasquena is the final stop. Cost for a single journey is 5 Mexican Pesos (about 40 cents US).

Tasquena on the Mexico City metro system.
Tasquena on the Mexico City metro system.

From Tasquena, walk to the train station (it’s next to the metro station) and get the train headed for Xochimilco. Xochimilco is the final stop but you want to get off after 9 stops at Estadio Azteca station. Cost for a single journey is 3 Mexican Pesos (about 30 cents US) however you’ll need a card to buy a ticket and the card costs 8 Mexican Pesos, but can be re-used.

Arrival at Estadio Azteca station on the train.
Arrival at Estadio Azteca station on the train.

Board the train and get off at Estadio Azteca and turn right when you get off – over the bridge. You can’t miss the stadium in all honesty!

Puerta 1 is the entrance you want.
Puerta 1 is the entrance you want.

You can also get a bus there. Head to Plaza San Miguel and as you face to the front of the main church, the street on the right, San Geronimo Street has mini-buses which head straight to Estadio Azteca.

Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end!
Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end!

Arrival at Estadio Azteca
Once you arrive at Estadio Azteca head for Entrance Number 1/Puerta 1. This will have a security gate entrance and when you walk up to it just say you are here for a tour. You don’t need to book tours in advance and you should plan it by checking the times and schedules. For example on a Club America match day there will be no tours of course.

Arrival at Estadio Azteca.
Arrival at Estadio Azteca.

Times of the Tours of Estadio Azteca
The tours of Estadio Azteca are on everyday except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. They run from 10 am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 1 pm on Sundays. Match days should also be avoided.

Opening times of the tours.
Opening times of the tours.

Price of the tours of Estadio Azteca
It’s a flat rate of 70 Mexican Pesos per person. You get issued with a ticket and are given a full guided tour of the stadium. The tour will be held in Spanish and one guy can translate for you. You buy your ticket at the entrance and office.

Ticket office
Ticket office
My ticket for Estadio Azteca tour.
My ticket for Estadio Azteca tour.
Ready for the tour!
Ready for the tour!

The Start of the Tour
The tour starts in a small cafe/restaurant, the highlight here is the Maradona Hand of God bronze statue!

Doing the Diego!
Doing the Diego!
Maradona hand of God statue.
Maradona hand of God statue.

Plaques Outside the Stadium
We then are told the history of the stadium, which was built and opened in the 1960s. Plaques marking the stadiums’ greatest games are outside. I take the opportunity to get a photo by the Mexico 86 plaque, as Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup that year.

Plaque marking opening of Estadio Azteca in the 60s.
Plaque marking opening of Estadio Azteca in the 60s.
Mexico 86 Plaque
Mexico 86 Plaque
Plaque about the famous Maradona match where he punched one in and then scored the goal of the century in a 2-1 Quarter Final win v. England in 1986.
Plaque about the famous Maradona match where he punched one in and then scored the goal of the century in a 2-1 Quarter Final win v. England in 1986.

Wall of Fame
The “wall of fame” shows every club and country that has played at this stadium as well as the dates. Scotland, Celtic, England and Sheffield Wednesday are among the British teams who have played here. No Northern Irish, Welsh or Iris team features on the wall and I notice a glaring error – Penarol, from Uruguay (who I used to go to watch when I studied in Montevideo) are down as Paraguayan!

The Penarol error on the Wall of Fame.
The Penarol error on the Wall of Fame.
Wall of Fame.
Wall of Fame.
Thumbs down for Sheffield Wednesday.
Thumbs down for Sheffield Wednesday.

Dressing Room and Tunnel
We are told no pictures in the actual dressing room and we respect this but we walk down through the tunnel on route.

Heading down the players tunnel.
Heading down the players tunnel.
Players tunnel.
Players tunnel.

Pitchside – The “Hand of God end”
This is the best bit. I stand on the pitch at the end where Maradona scored the Hand of God goal and I glance down at where I reckon the exact spot was. We are then told you’re not actually allowed on the pitch and I can understand why – it’s in pristine immaculate condition and is one of the best turfs I’ve seen, maybe the best.

Pitchside at the Estadio Azteca.
Pitchside at the Estadio Azteca.
The end where Maradona scored those 2 famous goals!
The end where Maradona scored those 2 famous goals!
Northern Ireland flag at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
Northern Ireland flag at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
On the pitch at Estadio Azteca.
On the pitch at Estadio Azteca.

Pitchside – by the half way line
We then walk round to the half way line for more photos and views.

Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.

Grandstand
We are in the stand now enjoying the views of the pitch. We yell and scream and you can hear the vibration and echoes all over the stadium.

In the stand.
In the stand.
In the stand at Estadio Azteca.
In the stand at Estadio Azteca.
In the stand at Estadio Azteca.
In the stand at Estadio Azteca.

After that we go back out to where the tour began and that’s it over. The whole tour must have lasted about an hour and a half.

My visit to Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico.
My visit to Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico.

All in all this was an incredible tour and I loved Mexico City so hopefully more posts to follow! Here are the videos I made at Estadio Azteca:

Maradona’s two gaols v. England in Mexico 86:

1986 World Cup Final – West Germany 2-3 Argentina:

1970 World Cup Final – Brazil 4-1 Italy: