Billy Bingham, who captained Northern Ireland to two World Cup victories in 1982 and 1986, died at the age of 90. For the last 16 years, he had struggled with dementia.
Billy Bingham Wiki, Age, Biography
Billy was born in east Belfast and worked as an electrical engineer for the Northern Ireland squad that reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1958. They didn’t qualify again until 1982 when Bingham led them to Spain, where Gerry Armstrong’s goal memorably defeated the hosts in Valencia, and again to Mexico four years later. Since then, Northern Ireland has failed to qualify for a World Cup.
Achievements of Billy Bingham
Bingham made 227 games for Sunderland and won the league title with Everton in 1963, but his most illustrious achievements came with Northern Ireland, for whom he won 56 caps and enjoyed his success for 17 years. In 1980 and 1984, Billy won the British Championship with Northern Ireland.
Before joining Sunderland in 1950, Billy worked his way up through the ranks at Glentoran. He also played for Luton Town, Everton, and Port Vale before retiring at the age of 33 due to a broken leg. Billy led Southport to progress from the Fourth Division in his first management job.
Billy then mixed his both first and four-year stints as Northern Ireland manager with jobs at Plymouth Argyle and Linfield before spending 18 months as Greece manager. He took over at Everton in 1973, succeeding his previous manager Harry Catterick, and went close to winning the league in 1974-75 before being fired in January 1977.
Just heard the sad news that Billy Bingham, Northern Ireland’s greatest manager has sadly passed away after suffering from dementia over 7 years.Heartfelt condolences to his only son David,family & ex-wife Rebecca
Who can forget the wonderful memories that Billy has left us with pic.twitter.com/bg8ULx98XZ— Gerry Armstrong (@GArmstrong82) June 10, 2022
Statements from Billy Bingham’s closed ones
“Dad was diagnosed with dementia back in 2006, and I think it is a credit to his will that he managed another 16 years from that diagnosis to the time he passed away,” Bingham’s son David said in a statement. “Billy died painlessly in a Southport care home last night at 10.30 p.m. We are really proud of everything our father has accomplished.”
The Irish Football Association has also expressed its respect for their former boss. In a statement, the Irish FA noted, “Billy enjoys a unique place in the football hearts of Northern Ireland.” “Billy was a tricky winger back when the position was renowned, but he was more than just a winger.”
On Friday, the club released a statement saying, “Everton Football Club is extremely saddened to learn of the demise of Billy Bingham MBE. Everyone at Everton is thinking about Billy’s family and friends.”
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