Fields of Wonder

‘Evan Marshall’s new book captures the remarkable spirit of Billy Bingham’s fabled team of the early-80s’

‘I am old enough to remember names from the early days of the (GAWA) ‘Green and White Army’ through my childhood 1050’s and teenage 1060/70s and early adult life in the 1980s and beyond - Danny Blanchflower, Harry Gregg, George Best, Gerry Armstrong, Norman Whiteside, Sammy McIlroy, Pat Jennings to name just a few and of course manager Billy Bingham. Those nostalgic names and bygone days are captured perfectly in this detailed but easy to read book.It is a fitting testament to a team and outstanding players who shone and gave hope and entertainment on the pitch to many against the background of the dark days of our casually referred to ‘Troubles’.Players who showed that the sectarian divide could be forgotten and the spirit of believing that they could achieve success was all that mattered. And were proved right in that memorable wonderful world cup field of dreams in Spain in 1982.Even if you are not a seasoned football fan this is an enjoyable read complete with a series of photographs that I certainly enjoyed.’

Evan Marshall has worked in local television for the past 15 years, much of that time with Doubleband Films in Belfast where he worked on Super 8 Stories and Those Were the Days. He worked extensively on Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive and it was here that he first saw a Pathé news report on the 1958 NI team that led him to tell the players’ remarkable story with the passion that he now brings to the team of 1980-86.

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