Northern Ireland v Cyprus (12/06/2020)

CHED

The I’m Yer Man ‘official souvenir record’ featured the dulcet tones of the Northern Ireland World Cup squad and original Derry Girl Dana and can be yours for only £6.99. But it can’t hold a candle to Sammy Mackie’s seminal Yer Man, available on George Best – The Tribute Album (never knowingly undersold at £12.50) . For me, where Dana and the lads went wrong was in portraying Yer Man as an actual player, whereas Sammy Mackie rightfully depicted him as a fan “cheering Northern Ireland ’cause they’ ll do the best they can”. Even back in ’82 I imagine a pre-match puff was much frowned upon by the team medic. They broke the mould with Yer Man, so much so that Mexico ’86 failed to manifest a national mascot and any accompanying Norn Iron merch that would surely now be collectors’ items, which leaves us with Euro 2016 and a quick eBay check that reveals 337 listings and counting. A set of three ticket stubs from the group stage is on sale for £42. A VIP hospitality pass, lanyard and case for the match against Germany will set you back £39.99. The omnipresent Panini stickers of that squad make up the vast majority of listings and start from just 1p. And remember those Tennent’s pint glasses emblazoned with Northern Ireland footy phrases that you used to try and swipe from the pub? They’ ll now set you back a tenner each on the aforementioned auction site. With Father’s Day just around the corner, a more thoughtful , heart-warming gift you’d be hard pressed to get for that special GAWA man in your life. I only hope after this afternoon’s match I’ ll not be returning home def lated and falling into the wormhole that is Northern Ireland merch of all our yesteryears. Of course, there’s always plenty of merchandise in between tournaments, such as loud shirts and caps from the likes of Foco. However, if I come away with one thing from these past hours I’ ll never get back, it’s the hope that tournament merch of the future offers up a bit more than stickers, ticket stubs and questionable mascots.

NORTHERN IREL AND ASSISTANT MANAGER JIMMY NICHOLL , SEEN HERE WI TH IAN BARACLOUGH, IS WORTH A PRE T T Y PENNY AMONG COLLECTORS OF PANINI ST ICKERS FROM HIS DAYS PL AYING FOR NORTHERN IREL AND AT ESPANA ’82.

IRISHFA.COM

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