Northern Ireland v USA

THE MATCH THAT I DELIBERATELY MISSED

One June evening in 1966 I stayed at home while Northern Ireland were playing at Windsor Park. It was my own choice.

In the first half Ignacio Calderon, the Mexican keeper, had been sent off after a clash with Derek Dougan.

The following day I was due to sit my biggest and most important examination, one on which my whole future depended. My parents had advised me to miss the match, but they knew that I had studied hard up until then. If I had insisted on going, they would not have argued. Anyway I was 18, mad about football and growing away from parental restrictions. But I chose to stay at home with my books, cramming into my brain last minute facts that just might make a difference the following morning. I can’t remember if the game was broadcast on radio. If it was, I chose not to switch on and tune in. Study was an absolute priority. I am recalling that act of self-denial all those years ago because tonight’s opponents are also from across the Atlantic. The game I missed was a friendly against Mexico, who were preparing for the World Cup Finals in England the following month. Northern Ireland had failed to qualify but the consolation prize was playing friendlies against teams wanting to experience the British style of play. West Germany (inspired by a young Franz Beckenbauer) had already won 2-0 at Windsor the previous month. I was especially thrilled when I heard that the Mexicans were coming. I relished seeing our team’s ‘up-and-at-them’ style being pitted against the more polished Latin American approach to football. I well remember that long bright June evening as I forced myself to stay focused on academic success and denied myself even switching on the 10 o’clock news to hear the result. I was dozing off when my mother knocked on the bedroom door. My mate Sammy was on the phone. I grabbed a dressing gown and hurried downstairs to the front porch where the phone was kept. Sammy had been at Windsor and was bursting to tell me about a game full of drama and incident, but not a lot of goodwill.

Mexico had taken the lead with a 52nd minute penalty, slotted home by Gustavo Pena, but as the game progressed the extra man made a difference. Billy Johnston, Alec Elder, Jimmy Nicholson and Willie Ferguson were our scorers in a 4-1 triumph. Ferguson’s goal in the 90th minute would have been especially celebrated by Linfield fans. I was horrified to have missed all that excitement, especially four goals for the home team. As a landmark in the history of the two teams the game was not of great significance. Despite this incident-packed warm up the Mexicans did not make much of a mark on the World Cup finals. They drew 1-1 with France and 0-0 with Uruguay before going down 2-0 to eventual winners England and were soon on the plane back to North America. After the Mexico game our players packed up their kit and went on holiday to some venue where they could watch the World Cup on (black and white) television. One of our players was never to return to the international arena after that match. Our goalkeeper, Jack McClelland of Fulham, won the last of his six caps that summer evening. It was the only time he finished on the winning side for Northern Ireland. Tragically the former Glenavon favourite is no longer with us, having been taken by cancer in 1976. As for me, I scored high in the exam the following day and my place in college was secured. But would one evening away from my books have made any difference? I shall never know, however after that painful June evening at home I resolved never to miss an international at Windsor ever again.

Words Cunningham Peacock

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