WHEN DANNY BOY WAS SMILING

COLIN ALLAN RECALLS A FAMOUS NORTHERN IRELAND VICTORY AGAINST ENGLAND AT WEMBLEY ALMOST YEARS AGO

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WHEN Northern Ireland beat England 3-2 at Wembley in November 1957, it was a victory which included an 'offside' goal, a penalty which hit the post and rebounded in off the goalie's back and their opponents hitting the woodwork three times.

Perhaps it was just the luck of the Irish. Actually, it was a well-deserved victory for Danny Blanchflower's Northern Ireland team.

It was as 'Ireland' that the men in green shirts were called on the programme front cover and in the Home International Championship in those days. The football authorities continued to call the Republic 'Eire'.

On the final whistle, the ecstatic visiting fans hoisted their heroes shoulder high and marched them triumphantly off the Wembley pitch.

They had every reason to be joyous.

In 64 previous encounters between the home nations, Ireland had won just four matches. The last had been in 1927, 30 years previously. It was to be their first victory on English soil since 1914.

Although England had been firm favourites again, this Irish team was one to be respected. Manager Peter Docherty had brought new heart and organisation into a side which had failed on so many other occasions.

He also had an inspirational captain to guide the team on the pitch in the confident figure of Danny Blanchflower.

The Tottenham right-half was one of the finest attacking wing-halves in Britain.

His charismatic personality and football intelligence could influence any game.

It wasn't just 'Danny Boy' though. His younger brother, Jackie, was a fine centre-half. He had even distinguished himself as substitute goalkeeper in the 1957 FA Cup final when Manchester United's Ray Wood had to leave the pitch injured.