56 / 60
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.
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!
Cunningham Peacock looks at how fans can help mould an
international player by offering them encouragement and affection.
Josh Magennis is about to give Michael O’Neill a big bear hug
after scoring against Greece in October 2015
54
www.irishfa.comA FACE IN THE CROWD
WITH A PART TO PLAY