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Northern Ireland
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
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A team across generations
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The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Northern Ireland.
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The 33 of Northern Ireland.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
George Best 37 caps (Northern Ireland) · 9 goals · Manchester United, Fulham · 1× Ballon d'OrThe mercurial superstar defined an era with his dazzling dribbling, breathtaking goals, and captivating flair, a true footballing artist.
CAM1964–1977
George Best 37 caps (Northern Ireland) · 9 goals · Manchester United, Fulham · 1× Ballon d'OrThe mercurial superstar defined an era with his dazzling dribbling, breathtaking goals, and captivating flair, a true footballing artist.
CAM1964–1977
02
DB
Danny Blanchflower 56 caps (Northern Ireland) · 2 goals · Barnsley, Aston VillaTottenham's legendary double-winning captain, his eloquent leadership and incisive passing from midfield inspired one of English football's greatest teams.
CM1949–1963
03
PJ
Pat Jennings 119 caps (Northern Ireland) · Watford, Tottenham HotspurPat Jennings was an Old-Trafford stopper, a legend for Tottenham and Arsenal, renowned for his incredible shot-stopping and longevity, playing in two World Cups for Northern Ireland.
GK1964–1986
04
PD
Peter Doherty 16 caps (Ireland) · 3 goals · Blackpool, Manchester CityA Scottish Cup winner with Hibernian, his prolific goalscoring and creative spark from attacking midfield made him a true legend of the game.
CAM1935–1950
05
Aaron Hughes 112 caps (Northern Ireland) · Newcastle United, Aston VillaA cornerstone of the Northern Ireland defence for decades, Aaron Hughes was a calm, composed, and always reliable centre-back.
CB1998–2018
Aaron Hughes 112 caps (Northern Ireland) · Newcastle United, Aston VillaA cornerstone of the Northern Ireland defence for decades, Aaron Hughes was a calm, composed, and always reliable centre-back.
CB1998–2018
06
HG
Harry Gregg 25 caps (Northern Ireland) · Doncaster Rovers, Manchester UnitedHarry Gregg, a true hero of the Munich air disaster, was a fearless goalkeeper whose bravery and exceptional shot-stopping earned him legendary status at Manchester United and for Northern Ireland.
GK1954–1964
07
JM
Jimmy McIlroy 55 caps (Northern Ireland) · 10 goals · Burnley, Stoke CityBurnley did not top the First Division for a single day of 1959-60 until the final afternoon, a 2-1 win at Manchester City on 2 May 1960, and the passing that carried them there belonged to the inside-forward Turf Moor called the Brain of Burnley.
RM1951–1965
09
MO
Martin O’Neill 64 caps (Northern Ireland) · 8 goals · Nottingham Forest, Manchester CityA tough-tackling, tenacious midfielder, he was a key part of Brian Clough's all-conquering Nottingham Forest side, winning two European Cups.
CM1971–1984
10
PM
Peter McParland 34 caps (Northern Ireland) · 10 goals · Aston Villa, Plymouth ArgyleBoth Aston Villa goals in the 1957 FA Cup final were his, struck against a Manchester United side reduced by his infamous sixth-minute collision with goalkeeper Ray Wood.
LM1954–1962
11
BM
Bill McCracken 16 caps (Ireland) · Distillery, Newcastle UnitedThe offside law itself was rewritten in 1925 largely to beat the trap he ran from Newcastle's back line, a scheme Vittorio Pozzo saluted when he named him the master of offside.
RB1902–1923
12
BB
Billy Bingham 56 caps (Northern Ireland) · 10 goals · Glentoran, Luton TownAn outstanding winger known for his blistering pace and deadly crosses, he made history with Tottenham and was a key player for Northern Ireland in two World Cups.
LM1951–1963
13
DH
David Healy 95 caps (Northern Ireland) · 36 goals · Leeds United, FulhamNorthern Ireland's record goalscorer, his knack for clinical finishes and dramatic late goals was proven over a glittering international career.
SS2000–2013
14
JN
Jimmy Nicholl 73 caps (Northern Ireland) · Manchester United, West Bromwich AlbionA hard-working and dependable full-back, Jimmy Nicholl provided an attacking outlet and defensive solidity for Manchester United and Northern Ireland, notably at the 1986 World Cup.
RB1976–1986
15
JB
Joe Bambrick 11 caps (Ireland) · 12 goals · Glentoran, LinfieldA prolific centre-forward, he terrorised defences with his remarkable goalscoring instincts, particularly for Linfield in the 1920s and 30s.
ST1928–1938
16
NW
Norman Whiteside 38 caps (Northern Ireland) · 9 goals · Manchester United, EvertonA teenage sensation at Manchester United, his power and skill lit up the 1982 and 1986 World Cups for Northern Ireland.
LM1982–1989
17
Steven Davis 140 caps (Northern Ireland) · Aston Villa, FulhamNorthern Ireland's most capped outfield player, his tireless engine and masterful control of the midfield made him a Rangers and Southampton legend.
CDM2005–2022
Steven Davis 140 caps (Northern Ireland) · Aston Villa, FulhamNorthern Ireland's most capped outfield player, his tireless engine and masterful control of the midfield made him a Rangers and Southampton legend.
CDM2005–2022
18
CC
Colin Clarke 38 caps (Northern Ireland) · 13 goals · Peterborough United, SouthamptonA powerful and clinical striker, he spearheaded Northern Ireland's attack at the 1986 World Cup, scoring against Spain.
SS1986–1993
19
KG
Keith Gillespie 86 caps (Northern Ireland) · 2 goals · Newcastle United, Blackburn RoversA thrilling winger with blistering pace, he was a key figure for Newcastle in the 90s, renowned for his dazzling runs down the flank.
CAM1994–2008
20
MD
Mal Donaghy 91 caps (Northern Ireland) · Luton Town, Manchester UnitedMal Donaghy was a rugged and uncompromising centre-back, a cult hero for Luton Town and Manchester United, who anchored Northern Ireland's defence at two World Cups.
CB1980–1994
21
NL
Neil Lennon 40 caps (Northern Ireland) · 2 goals · Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City
CM1994–2002
22
SM
Sammy McIlroy 88 caps (Northern Ireland) · Manchester United, Stoke CityThe classy midfielder was a vital cog in Alex Ferguson's Manchester United team, blending grit with surprising attacking flair during the 1970s.
CDM1972–1987
23
AM
Alan McDonald 52 caps (Northern Ireland) · Queens Park Rangers, Charlton AthleticA truly no-nonsense centre-back and captain of QPR, he was the bedrock of their defence for over a decade, epitomising resilience and leadership.
CB1986–1996
24
BH
Billy Hamilton 41 caps (Northern Ireland) · 5 goals · Linfield, BurnleyThe lightning-quick striker etched his name into Northern Ireland folklore with his memorable brace against Spain at the 1986 World Cup.
ST1979–1989
25
Chris Brunt 65 caps (Northern Ireland) · Middlesbrough, West Bromwich AlbionNo West Brom player has appeared more often in the Premier League than Brunt, 269 times across 13 years at The Hawthorns, four of those years as club captain.
LB2004–2017
Chris Brunt 65 caps (Northern Ireland) · Middlesbrough, West Bromwich AlbionNo West Brom player has appeared more often in the Premier League than Brunt, 269 times across 13 years at The Hawthorns, four of those years as club captain.
LB2004–2017
26
GM
Gareth McAuley Crusaders, Lincoln CityA true aerial threat and set-piece specialist, Gareth McAuley was a towering figure in defence and a crucial goalscorer for Northern Ireland, famously at Euro 2016.
CB2005–
27
GA
Gerry Armstrong 63 caps (Northern Ireland) · 12 goals · Tottenham Hotspur, WatfordTwo minutes into the second half at the Mestalla on 25 June 1982 he scored the goal that beat the hosts and sent Northern Ireland through as group winners, held for half an hour with ten men after Mal Donaghy went off.
ST1977–1986
28
Maik Taylor 88 caps (Northern Ireland) · Barnet, FulhamA reliable presence between the sticks, Maik Taylor was a consistent performer for Birmingham City and a steadfast guardian of Northern Ireland's goal throughout the 2000s.
GK1999–2011
Maik Taylor 88 caps (Northern Ireland) · Barnet, FulhamA reliable presence between the sticks, Maik Taylor was a consistent performer for Birmingham City and a steadfast guardian of Northern Ireland's goal throughout the 2000s.
GK1999–2011
29
TN
Terry Neill 59 caps (Northern Ireland) · Bangor City, ArsenalAn old-school northern Irish centre-back, he marshalled Arsenal's defence to FA Cup glory in 1979 before famously managing the Gunners to further success.
CB1961–1973
30
DM
David McCreery 67 caps (Northern Ireland) · Manchester United, Queens Park RangersA tenacious and tireless midfielder, he was a key figure for Northern Ireland, anchoring the midfield at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
CDM1976–1990
31
Kyle Lafferty Burnley, RangersA towering and often unplayable striker, he consistently delivered crucial goals for Northern Ireland across significant qualification campaigns.
ST2006–
Kyle Lafferty Burnley, RangersA towering and often unplayable striker, he consistently delivered crucial goals for Northern Ireland across significant qualification campaigns.
ST2006–
32
AR
Anton Rogan 18 caps (Northern Ireland) · Celtic, Oxford UnitedA dynamic left-back, his tireless running and pinpoint crosses were a characteristic feature of Celtic's attack in the late 80s and early 90s.
LB1987–1996
33
MO
Michael O’Neill 31 caps (Northern Ireland) · 4 goals · Dundee United, HibernianA composed and influential midfielder, he was a key figure for Northern Ireland both as a player and later as a manager, guiding them to Euro 2016.
CM1988–1996
About this XI
The collection opens with George Best, Danny Blanchflower and Pat Jennings. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1900s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Left out, and why
A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Northern Ireland's list. Every one of them has a case.
- Chris BairdThe place went to Peter McParland.
- Steve LomasThe place went to Bill McCracken.
Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.
Who is the greatest Northern Ireland footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with George Best. Its first five careers: George Best, Danny Blanchflower, Pat Jennings, Peter Doherty, Aaron Hughes. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Northern Ireland players chosen?
The collection covers every position across Northern Ireland's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Northern Ireland all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.