Northern Ireland v Norway Official Match Programme

Cunningham Peacock looks at how fans can help mould an international player by offering them encouragement and affection. A FACE IN THE CROWD WITH A PART TO PLAY

Josh Magennis is about to give Michael O’Neill a big bear hug after scoring against Greece in October 2015

Now here is an interesting thing. As I leafed through the book, I found that I was not focusing too much on the action on the pitch. I was not spending too long relishing the balletic poses of Steven Davis and Michael McGovern and Jonny Evans and the other lads as they tussled with the Poles, the Ukrainians, the Germans and the Welsh. Instead I was scanning the people in the stands looking for myself. During the Euros we fans came into our own as major actors in the drama. We had waited a long time for such a party and, boy, were we going to enjoy every thrilling minute!

On Christmas morning I found a big flat parcel propped against the pile of presents under the tree in our living room. It was obviously a book and it had my name on it. As the kids opened their gifts, I grabbed the parcel wondering if Santa had granted my request. I needn’t have worried. Santa knew exactly what a fanatical Norn Iron fan would want for Christmas 2016. I ripped off the wrapping and found a colourful book, Dare To Dream, the official account of Northern Ireland’s adventures at Euro 2016, with lots of photos of my favourite players.

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