We were a band of brothers who had just caused one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history

HERO MCCREERY RECALLS LEGENDARY 1982 UPSET

HUMBLE and soft spoken, David Mccreery is unlikely to shout it from the roof tops – but his place in Northern Ireland World Cup folklore is secure.

Not only did the combative former Newcastle United midfielder star in a famous 1-0 win over Spain in the tinder box heat of Valencia 38 years ago today.

He is also part of a select group of only five players who made eight appearances for the province across two World Cups in the 1980s.

Mccreery, now 62, featured in all five games at the 1982 tourwith nament in Spain and another three at the Mexico World Cup four years later.

The only other ever presents in Billy Bingham’s famous teams at those two tournaments were Sammy Mcilroy, Norman Whiteside, Jimmy Nicholl and Billy Hamilton.

“I’m very proud of that fact and view it as a massive achievement,” said Mccreery. “It means a lot and it’s something no one can take away from me.

“It was an honour to represent my country 67 times and stepping out at the 1982 World Cup was one of the greatest experiences of my career.

“I remember drawing our first game 0-0 against a very good

Yugoslavia side in Zaragoza and it was probably the most nervous I’ve been standing for a national anthem.

“Nobody gave us a chance at that tournament but we proved a lot of doubters wrong. Our preparation was regimented and Billy had us mentally and physically ready.”

Mccreery (right), a crucial cog in Bingham’s midfield, lifted the FA Cup in 1977 when he was part of a Manchester United side that beat Liverpool 2-1 at the old Wembley.

But he counts Northern Ireland’s famous 1-0 win over hosts Spain at the 1982 World Cup as the pinnacle of a playing career spanning two decades.

Gerry Armstrong’s goal saw Bingham’s men top the group and progress to the second phase where they drew 2-2 with Austria and lost

to France.

“That game surpasses FA Cup finals, promotion with Newcastle and the 1986 World Cup,” said Mccreery who was fondly known as ‘Wee Dee’ by his team mates.

“Valencia is without doubt the most ferocious atmosphere I played in.

“Playing the hosts in their own backyard was very intimidating and I’m sure some of the Spanish words directed at us by the locals weren’t very complimentary.

“I remember coins and bottles – anything they could find basically – being thrown at us, even during the warm-up before kick-off.

“And when they sang the Spanish national anthem it was deafening. It was a cauldron that night and I think everyone expected us to lie down. But we didn’t.”

Mccreery, who filled in at leftback following Mal Donaghy’s harsh red card, recalls “running on empty” when Armstrong grabbed legendary status his close range finish.

“I was probably catching my breath when Gerry started on his ‘Messi run’,” he chuckled. “But as soon as he took off I was thinking ‘keep going Gerry, keep going’.

“I’m not sure what big Billy (Hamilton) was doing on the right wing, but he gave Tendillo a forearm smash and produced a great cross for Gerry to finish it off.

“Even to this day, when I see that goal on TV, I get goosebumps. I didn’t celebrate too much because my focus turned to defending the lead, but it was an incredible moment.”

Mccreery recalls an “electric atmosphere” in the changing room afterwards as Bingham and his players drank in one of Northern Ireland’s most famous results.

“Beers were being sprayed opened and the changing room was just a sea of people,” he said. “Everyone was jumping on top of each other and singing.

“We were relieved but also elated. We were a band of brothers who had just caused one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.”