As Keith Gillespie celebrates his 51st birthday today, we look at some of his best moments playing for Northern Ireland…
In September 1994 Gillespie made his senior international debut at Windsor Park in a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in a Euro 1996 qualifier.
A month later, in a Euro 1996 qualifier against Austria in Vienna, the winger notched his first international goal and it was a peach. Latching on to a throw-in, he struck a powerful volley that flew past Austrian keeper Franz Wohlfahrt. Northern Ireland would eventually win the match by two goals to one.
Gillespie was on the books of Manchester United when he made his senior international debut. He signed his first professional contract with the Old Trafford club after joining as a schoolboy and helping them win the FA Youth Cup in 1992.
He was part of Man United’s first team squad for over two years before moving to another United: Newcastle United. And that’s where he really made his mark, playing in the UEFA Champions League and helping the Magpies become one of the top teams in England. Between 1995 and 1998 he made 143 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 13 goals.
Gillespie later won a League Cup with Blackburn Rovers (eight goals in 138 appearances) and he also starred for Leicester City and Sheffield United during his playing career.
In the 2000s, within a two-year span, the winger played in two of the most famous games in Northern Ireland football history, both of which were staged at Windsor Park.
In 2005 he played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory over England in a FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifier. And a year later he also played the full 90 in the nation’s 3-2 win over Spain in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
His final appearance for his country came in a 2–0 defeat to Hungary in a friendly at Windsor Park in November 2008.
Gillespie had an iconic moment off the pitch, too. After Northern Ireland’s 2-0 victory over Ukraine at Euro 2016 he was seen on TV celebrating the monumental win among the Green and White Army in Lyon!
With 86 caps and two goals for the national team, he was a pivotal player for Northern Ireland. Full of energy on the flanks, he was a memorable player for the GAWA to watch.
Happy Birthday Keith!
