The Green and White Army are fans that follow the Northern Ireland national football team, noted for their passionate support.[1][2][3][4]
The support at Windsor Park, the home of the Northern Ireland national football team, is sometimes referred to as the team's "12th man".[5] After Northern Ireland beat England 1-0 at Windsor Park on 7 September 2005, the manager Lawrie Sanchez said "The fans were also magnificent and we played with an extra man - they raised the team, they believed in the team and the team gave it back in bundles."[6][7]
The Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs acts as the recognised voice of the Green and White Army and co-ordinates many activities on their behalf. In addition, it regularly articulates the views of fans to the Irish Football Association and liaises with other fans groups such as the FSF.[8] The group was formed in 1999, initially to co-ordinate the activities of the various independent supporters clubs which existed at the time, but has now evolved into a much larger organisation which represents over 60 clubs with over 2,000 members.[citation needed]
The Green and White Army received recognition for its work in promoting "football for all" in Northern Ireland by being awarded the internationally recognised Brussels International Supporters Award.[9] The award was presented to representatives of the Northern Ireland supporters on 6 September 2006, the same day Northern Ireland played against Spain and won 3-2.[10]
Other uses
editThere are also other clubs who call their fans the 'green and white army', including Yeovil Town in the English Football League Two. Other teams include Celtic from the Scottish Premier League and Hibernian from the Scottish Premiership and Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland.
References
edit- ^ Hoey, Kate (1 April 2005). "Green and white army have no truck with cynicism". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Press Release: 'NI FANS ARE MAGNIFICENT'". www.irishfa.com. 20 August 2007. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015.
- ^ "Press Release: SPANISH FAN APPLAUDS THE GREEN AND WHITE ARMY". www.irishfa.com. 20 December 2007. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015.
- ^ "Press Release: THE GREEN AND WHITE ARMY TAKE OVER VADUZ". www.irishfa.com. 24 March 2007. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015.
- ^ "Press Release: Radio One Star Colin Sings The Praises of Award-winning Green and White army". IFA. 6 September 2006. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015.
- ^ "Sanchez hails team after victory". BBC News. 7 September 2005.
- ^ "Northern Ireland 1-0 England". BBC Sport. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Supporters' clubs". IFA.
- ^ "Press Release: NORTHERN IRELAND FANS ARE OFFICIALLY THE BEST IN EUROPE". www.irishfa.com. 24 August 2006. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011.
- ^ "Northern Ireland 3-2 Spain". BBC Sport. 6 September 2006. Retrieved 2 July 2015.