Put your shirt on NI centenary
Councillor calls for commemorative kit for the Northern Ireland team
THE Irish Football Association has been urged to create a commemorative Northern Ireland shirt to mark the centenary of the country.
Ulster Unionist councillor Alan Lewis wrote to IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson asking him to give due consideration to the idea.
He suggested that the oneoff shirt could be worn during Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria at Windsor Park on Wednesday, March 31.
The Green and White Army’s current kit is produced by Adidas and any additional shirts could prove costly to produce.
In 2016, the Football Association of Ireland was fined €4,700 by Fifa after the players wore an Easter Rising symbol on their jerseys in a friendly against Switzerland to mark the event’s 100th anniversary.
However, former IFA president Jim Boyce said he would have “no problem whatsoever” with a specially designed jersey marking the centenary of Northern Ireland.
“As someone who has no time for any form of politics, sectarianism, bigotry or anything else in this country — if it’s something that’s done in the best intention just to celebrate something, then I don’t see how people could take offence to it,” added Mr Boyce, who is also a former Fifa vice-president.
“People will politicise a lot of things in this country. Some of them do that for absolute nonsensical reasons.
“Personally, if it’s done, and it’s something that the IFA and the members of the IFA feel would be helpful, then I personally would have no problems seeing it done.”
In his letter to Mr Nelson, Mr Lewis, from Newry, Mourne and Down council, said that he would like to see the national team involved in the centenary celebrations.
He felt that given the size of Northern Ireland, the country punches “well above our weight” on the international stage.
He highlighted memorable moments in the country’s footballing history such as beating Spain 1-0 at the 1982 World Cup, defeating England 1-0 in Belfast in 2005 and qualifying for the European Championships in 2016.
“These sporting achievements have united and rallied our differing communities in support and celebration behind our team,” added Mr Lewis.
“The Irish Football Association have a wonderful opportunity to positively engage in these historic celebrations, harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of our world famous Green and White Army.
“I sincerely hope the IFA have plans to mark this significant milestone.”
He added that the centenary celebrations should be open and inclusive, and an opportunity to promote the absolute best of Northern Ireland.
“How great would it be to have our team at the centre of those celebrations?” Mr Lewis asked.
“With our best foot forward we could proudly display our country’s centenary, while giving the fans the opportunity to take part and purchase this historic memento which represents one hundred years of Northern Ireland.”
The Irish FA was asked for a response to the centenary shirt idea.
‘These achievements have united and rallied our differing communities behind our team’