BILLY BINGHAM, the former Northern Ireland football player and manager has died today aged 90.
Bingham is best known for getting Northern Ireland to the World Cups in 1982 and 1986, in Spain and Mexico.
He also represented his national side as a player at the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.
He played for teams in Northern Ireland like Glentoran in 1948, before heading to the likes of Sunderland, Luton, Everton and Port Vale, before retiring in 1965.
That same year he became a football manager at Southport and spent three years at the club.
His time at Northern Ireland for his first spell as Northern Ireland manager came after.
Because he also had jobs at Plymouth and then Linfield as the same time as the Northern Ireland job it meant that he had step down from Northern Ireland job in 1971.
It is with great sadness that the Irish FA has learned of the passing of its esteemed former player and manager Billy Bingham at the age of 90 — Irish FA (@IrishFA) June 10, 2022
Bingham continued to manage, taking charge of the Greek national team before a four-year stint as Everton boss.
He would also manager POAK and Mansfield, but the most successful era of his managerial career came when he returned to Northern Ireland in 1980 as he would remain there for the next 13 years.
Bingham was in charge of Northern Ireland until 1993 with their final game of the 1994 World Cup qualification campaign coming against the Republic of Ireland in Windsor Park.
In a statement the IFA confirmed the news and paid tribute to their former manager.
"He was everything that a Northern Ireland manager needs to be – tactically astute, innovative and inspirational. He led the team to British Championship glory in 1980 and 1984, qualified for two World Cups in 1982 and 1986, and recorded the first home and away victories over West Germany in the qualification for the Euros in 84.
"The Association would wish to send its condolences to Billy's wider family circle."
His old clubs sides also offered condolences to their former football manager
Everton sent out a message saying: 'Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Billy Bingham MBE. A great man who both played for and managed the Blues. You'll be missed, Billy.'
Southport also said: 'Everyone at Southport Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Billy Bingham, aged 90. We will have a full tribute to Billy on our website later.
His former player Gerry Armstrong also said: 'Just heard the sad news that Billy Bingham, Northern Ireland’s greatest manager has sadly passed away after suffering from dementia over 7 years.'
'Heartfelt condolences to his only son David, family & ex-wife Rebecca Who can forget the wonderful memories that Billy has left us with.'
Just heard the sad news that Billy Bingham, Northern Ireland’s greatest manager has sadly passed away after suffering from dementia over 7 years.Heartfelt condolences to his only son David,family & ex-wife Rebecca — Gerry Armstrong (@GArmstrong82) June 10, 2022
Who can forget the wonderful memories that Billy has left us with pic.twitter.com/bg8ULx98XZ
