April 24 – The World Cup is coming to Northern Ireland – the trophy, not the competition.
FIFA have agreed for the most famous prize in world football to be paraded tonight at the launch of Shooting for Socrates, a new film that forms part of the Belfast film festival.
The film, starring John Hannah as former Northern Ireland coach Billy Bingham, tells the story of the nation’s David-versus-Goliath showdown with mighty Brazil at the 1986 World Cup and was inspired by former international David Campbell who made his debut in the game days after his 21st birthday.
A star-studded turnout is expected including most members of the 1986 Northern Irish squad.
FIFA’s outgoing vice-president Jim Boyce, guest of honour at the launch, personally travelled to Zurich to collect the trophy after FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave his express permission for it to be transported to Belfast.
“The producers wrote to FIFA asking whether it might be possible to have the World Cup on show but it could not have been done without Blatter’s personal endorsement,” said Boyce.
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