Martin O’Neill has paid tribute to Billy Bingham and thanked the legendary Northern Ireland manager for gifting him some of his greatest moments and memories in football.
Bingham, who has passed away at the age of 90, led his country to two World Cup finals in Spain in 1982 and Mexico four years later.
O’Neill, who won two European Cups with Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough, wore the captain’s armband in 1982 and skippered the side to a famous 1-0 win over host nation Spain in Valencia.
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That memorable result ensured Northern Ireland, featuring the likes of Pat Jennings, Sammy McIlroy, Billy Hamilton and Norman Whiteside, reached the second phase of the tournament.
O’Neill, who won 64 caps, said: “I had a lot of great moments as a player and was lucky to play for Nottingham Forest when we were winning trophies and reaching European Cup finals.
“But looking back, at international level I have so many wonderful memories playing for Billy and the team he built, particularly the adventure and euphoria we experienced in 1982.
“To beat Spain in their own territory with Gerry Armstrong’s goal in Valencia was just a magnificent achievement and to be part of all that was incredibly special.
“There's no doubt Billy came along at absolutely the right time for the group of players we had in the early-80s and he got the best out of us. He was a good motivator.
“He was also tactically strong and he deserves a lot of credit for the success that we had. They were very special times and I’m very sad to learn of his passing.”
O’Neill, who went on to manage Celtic and the Republic of Ireland, also credited Bingham for handing him the armband at the height of the Troubles when tribal division and sectarian conflict was rife.
“When Billy took over in 1980, he handed me the captaincy and at that time it could have caused him a bit of a hassle given my Catholic background,” he said.
“But I think he felt because I was playing for Nottingham Forest and was involved in big European matches that I had the kind of experience he wanted in a captain.
“That was a brave decision on his part but he wasn’t frightened to make big decisions. He didn’t shy away from big calls, on or off the field, and that was one of his strengths.
“In 1982 there was also talk of George Best coming back to play for us for the World Cup and a lot of the players thought George might have been able to play a part.
“But Billy decided not to select George and we went on to beat Spain and reach the second phase of the tournament, so who could argue with that decision?”
The second phase of the 1982 World Cup was played as a three team group and a 2-2 draw with Austria and 4-1 defeat to a classy France side saw Northern Ireland bow out one stage short of the semi-finals.
“1982 was a special time and I know the other players feel the same,” said O’Neill. “Pat Jennings had a superb club career and he would tell you the same thing.
“I know sometimes you have to be successful as a team to say this but that Northern Ireland team had a fantastic bond and Billy played a big part in that.
“I’m not saying Billy joined in every celebration or anything like that, but honestly he was very good for that set of players and he came along at absolutely the right time.”
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