Billy Bingham

Bingham twice guided Northern Ireland to the World Cup finals, first in 1982 when they famously beat hosts Spain, and again in 1986.

Billy was not afraid to mix it when needed, had an eye for goal and had a wonderful tactical and positional brain – attributes which would come to the fore in his managerial career. “His greatest achievement was probably the qualification of the team for the second phase of the World Cup in 1982 with the historic and unexpected victory over Spain in Valencia. “He led the team to British Championship glory in 1980 and 1984, qualified for two World Cups in 1982 and 1986, and recorded the first home and away victories over West Germany in the qualification for the Euros in ’84. Born in East Belfast, Bingham, an outside right, was capped 56 times. “Billy holds a unique place in the football hearts of Northern Ireland in that he both played at and managed in World Cup final tournaments with Northern Ireland, being part of Peter Doherty’s historic team of 1958 in Sweden and then managing Northern Ireland in the 1982 and 1986 finals,” a statement on the Irish FA website read. The 1980 British Championship success was Northern Ireland’s first in 66 years and was followed by a memorable World Cup campaign and a 1-0 victory over Spain at the Mestalla in Valencia.

A championship winner as a player with the Club and manager at Goodison Park for nearly four years, Billy passed away peacefully on Thursday, at the age of 90.

Born in East Belfast, Bingham was 16 when he made his senior debut for Northern Irish top-division side Glentoran in 1947. During an extraordinary 13-year reign, Bingham led Northern Ireland to successive World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986. "He was already a very experienced manager when I knew him and highly respected in the game. "He was a very wise manager and loved football. He’d just turn the conversation to football." "He did so much for me at the start of my career.

Billy Bingham, who led Northern Ireland to the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, has died at the age of 90.

“Billy was a tricky winger in the days when such a position was revered, but there was more to him than wing play. He was everything that a Northern Ireland manager needs to be: tactically astute, innovative and inspirational. He then combined his first, four-year stint as Northern Ireland manager with jobs at Plymouth Argyle and Linfield before managing Greece for 18 months. He also had spells with Luton, Everton and Port Vale, where a broken leg forced him to retire from playing aged 33. Born in east Belfast, and an electrical engineer by trade, he was part of the Northern Ireland team that reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1958. He passed away peacefully last night at 10.30pm in a care home in Southport. We are very proud of all our dad achieved.”

The Irish Football Association said it had learned of Bingham's death with "great sadness". "Billy holds a unique place in the football hearts of Northern ...

His 56 international caps was, at that time, a record he held jointly with Danny Blanchflower. In 1980, Billy Bingham was appointed manager of Northern Ireland for a second time and it was to prove a golden era for the team in green. Bingham's last match as Northern Ireland boss was a fractious 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, the point earning the visitors a place in USA '94. He was in the Northern Ireland team which achieved stunning victories over Portugal and Italy to qualify for the 1958 World Cup finals, the first time the country had reached that stage, and played in all five games as Peter Doherty's men reached the quarter-finals in Sweden. Bingham also managed Everton and the Greek national team and played for Northern Ireland at the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden. Northern Ireland were the last winners of the defunct British Championship, lifting the trophy in 1984.

BILLY BINGHAM, the former Northern Ireland football player and manager has died today aged...

We will have a full tribute to Billy on our website later. "He was everything that a Northern Ireland manager needs to be – tactically astute, innovative and inspirational. Southport also said: 'Everyone at Southport Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Billy Bingham, aged 90.

It is with great regret that the Association has learned of the passing of its esteemed former player and manager Billy Bingham at the age of 90.

He was everything that a Northern Ireland manager needs to be – tactically astute, innovative and inspirational. Billy was a tricky winger in the days when such a position was revered, but there was more to him than wing play. Billy holds a unique place in the football hearts of Northern Ireland in that he both played at and managed in World Cup final tournaments with Northern Ireland, being part of Peter Doherty’s historic team of 1958 in Sweden and then managing Northern Ireland in the 1982 and 1986 finals.

The club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Billy Bingham, aged 90. Considered a Northern Ireland legend for his efforts as a ...

Bingham twice guided Northern Ireland to the World Cup finals, first in 1982 when they famously beat hosts Spain, and again in 1986. Born in East Belfast, ...

Billy was not afraid to mix it when needed, had an eye for goal and had a wonderful tactical and positional brain – attributes which would come to the fore in his managerial career. “His greatest achievement was probably the qualification of the team for the second phase of the World Cup in 1982 with the historic and unexpected victory over Spain in Valencia. Born in East Belfast, Bingham, an outside right, was capped 56 times.

Billy Bingham's influence on Northern Irish football over the past 60 years was unparalleled. A veteran of three World Cup finals, one as a player and two ...

In 1982 a murder took place during the Troubles roughly once every three days. “But when you’re not expected to win, it’s even greater.” His international bow came in a 2-2 draw with France in 1951, Northern Ireland’s final game before Bingham’s “idol” Peter Doherty took charge. Bingham would later be one of Best’s pallbearers. He was successful too. He was willing to make bold calls too.