Springfield Primary School Choir performed at the unveiling ceremony
A mural celebrating Northern Ireland’s top players throughout its footballing history has been unveiled in Belfast.
Situated in Battenburg Street off the Shankill Road, the mural features 14 of the region’s most acclaimed players who featured in finals at the World Cup and European Championships.
The footballers pictured go from the 1950s to the present day and include former defender Danny Griffin and forward Norman Whiteside, who is known for his record-breaking World Cup at the age of 17.
Funds towards the artwork were gathered by Northern Ireland football supporters clubs across the Greater Shankill area.
The unveiling ceremony also saw a performance from Springfield Primary School Choir.
Gary McAllister, Chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, told the Belfast Telegraph how “proud” he was to unveil the latest mural to the community.
“We’re really pleased to have supported our clubs in the Greater Shankill to deliver this artwork, which features 14 senior Northern Ireland internationals dating from the 1950s to the present day,” Gary said.
“There was a really great mural in Battenburg Street until the 1st Shankill NISC premises closed, featuring the Northern Ireland teams which appeared at the finals of the Euros and World Cup, so it’s nice to have another one in place.
“The cost of the initiative has been borne by donations from Northern Ireland supporters clubs from across the Greater Shankill and I know how proud we all are to have this artwork in place.”
It replaces a previous mural on Battenburg Street which paid homage to the World Cup squads of 1958, 82, 86 and 2016’s Euros team.