33·Legends
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Northern Ireland

The thirty-three greatest. Build your eleven, then settle the duels.
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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.

The 33 of Northern Ireland

Ranked by the almanac. Vote in the duels to build the people's version.

1 95 George Best 37 caps · 9 goals · Manchester United, Fulham · Ballon d'OrThe mercurial superstar defined an era with his dazzling dribbling, breathtaking goals, and captivating flair, a true footballing artist. CAM
2 DB 90 Danny Blanchflower 56 caps · 2 goals · Barnsley, Aston Villa · Hall of FameTottenham's legendary double-winning captain, his eloquent leadership and incisive passing from midfield inspired one of English football's greatest teams. CM
3 PJ 90 Pat Jennings 119 caps · Watford, Tottenham Hotspur · Hall of FamePat 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. GK
4 PD 89 Peter Doherty Blackpool, Manchester City · Hall of FameA Scottish Cup winner with Hibernian, his prolific goalscoring and creative spark from attacking midfield made him a true legend of the game. CAM
5 87 Aaron Hughes 112 caps · Newcastle United, Aston Villa · Hall of FameA cornerstone of the Northern Ireland defence for decades, Aaron Hughes was a calm, composed, and always reliable centre-back. CB
6 HG 87 Harry Gregg 25 caps · Doncaster Rovers, Manchester United · 2× Hall of Fame (1995–2019)Harry 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. GK
7 JM 87 Jimmy McIlroy 55 caps · 10 goals · Burnley, Stoke City · Hall of FameBurnley 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. That championship, the 1962 FA Cup final lost to Tottenham, 55 Northern Ireland caps and the 1958 World Cup quarter-final run sit beside 497 Burnley games and 131 goals. RM1958–62
8 JE 87 Jonny Evans 107 caps · Manchester United, West Bromwich AlbionJonny Evans is a decorated defender, a multiple Premier League winner with Manchester United, known for his composed defending and leadership for club and country, including guiding Northern Ireland at Euro 2016. CB2010s
9 MO 87 Martin O’Neill 64 caps · 8 goals · Nottingham Forest, Manchester City · Hall of FameA tough-tackling, tenacious midfielder, he was a key part of Brian Clough's all-conquering Nottingham Forest side, winning two European Cups. CM
10 PM 87 Peter McParland 34 caps · 10 goals · Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle · Hall of FameBoth 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. A year later he scored five times at the 1958 World Cup to carry Northern Ireland into the quarter-finals, and in 1961 he added the League Cup to that Wembley winner's medal. LM1952–1971
11 BM 86 Bill McCracken Newcastle United, Lisburn DistilleryThe 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. Three First Division championships between 1905 and 1909 and the 1910 FA Cup mark his two decades at St James' Park. RB1901–1924
12 BB 86 Billy Bingham 56 caps · 10 goals · Glentoran, Luton Town · Hall of FameAn 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. LM
13 DH 86 David Healy 95 caps · 36 goals · Leeds United, Fulham · Hall of FameNorthern Ireland's record goalscorer, his knack for clinical finishes and dramatic late goals was proven over a glittering international career. SS
14 JN 86 Jimmy Nicholl 73 caps · 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. RB1980s
15 JB 86 Joe Bambrick Linfield, ChelseaA prolific centre-forward, he terrorised defences with his remarkable goalscoring instincts, particularly for Linfield in the 1920s and 30s. ST
16 NW 86 Norman Whiteside 38 caps · 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. LM1982–86
17 86 Steven Davis 140 caps · Aston Villa, Fulham · Hall of FameNorthern Ireland's most capped outfield player, his tireless engine and masterful control of the midfield made him a Rangers and Southampton legend. CDM
18 85 Colin Clarke 38 caps · 13 goals · Peterborough United, SouthamptonA powerful and clinical striker, he spearheaded Northern Ireland's attack at the 1986 World Cup, scoring against Spain. SS1980s
19 KG 85 Keith Gillespie 86 caps · 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. CAM
20 MD 85 Mal Donaghy 91 caps · 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. CB
21 NL 85 Neil Lennon 40 caps · 2 goals · Crewe Alexandra, Leicester CityA combative and passionate midfielder, he anchored Celtic's midfield during a highly successful period, lifting multiple league titles and cups. CM
22 SM 85 Sammy McIlroy 88 caps · Manchester United, Stoke City · Hall of FameThe classy midfielder was a vital cog in Alex Ferguson's Manchester United team, blending grit with surprising attacking flair during the 1970s. CDM
23 AM 84 Alan McDonald 52 caps · 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. CB
24 BH 84 Billy Hamilton 41 caps · 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. ST1980s
25 84 Chris Brunt 65 caps · 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. Championship winner with West Brom in 2007-08 and their player of the year the season after, a League One play-off winner with Sheffield Wednesday in 2005, 65 caps for Northern Ireland, and an anterior cruciate injury that cost him Euro 2016. LB2005–16
26 84 Gareth McAuley 1 caps · Crusaders, Lincoln City · Hall of FameA 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. CB2010s
27 GA 84 Gerry Armstrong 63 caps · 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. He scored against Honduras, Spain and France that summer, more than any other British player at the tournament, won the British Home Championship in 1980 and 1984, and finished with 12 goals in 63 caps. ST1980–84
28 84 Maik Taylor 88 caps · 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. GK
29 TN 84 Terry Neill 59 caps · 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. CB1970s
30 DM 83 David McCreery 67 caps · 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. CDM1982–86
31 83 Kyle Lafferty Burnley, RangersA towering and often unplayable striker, he consistently delivered crucial goals for Northern Ireland across significant qualification campaigns. ST
32 AR 82 Anton Rogan 18 caps · 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. LB
33 MO 82 Michael O’Neill 31 caps · 4 goals · Dundee United, Hibernian · Hall of FameA 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. CM2010s

About this XI

The three highest rated names in Northern Ireland's pool are George Best, Danny Blanchflower and Pat Jennings. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, spanning the 1970s to the 2010s. One player, George Best, reaches the Immortal tier or higher. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then 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.

Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.

Who is the greatest Northern Ireland footballer of all time?
In the 33 Legends editorial ranking, George Best leads Northern Ireland with an overall rating of 95. The editorial top five: 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 pool covers every position across Northern Ireland's football history. Ratings weigh peak level, longevity, honours and historical standing, then the full methodology page explains the tiers. Fan votes in the duels build a second, independent ranking.
Which Northern Ireland players reach the Immortal tier or higher?
George Best is rated 95 or higher for Northern Ireland.
Can I build and share my own Northern Ireland all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of eight formations, drag any of the 33 onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.
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