Evergreen George Wall has added another footballing honour after becoming a World Cup winner in the over 65s with Northern Ireland – despite fearing he had blown it on the big occasion with a late red card after scoring a goal in the final.
Despite his dramatic dismissal, George scooped the award for player of the tournament for receiving the most man of the matches throughout the two day extravaganza.
George started off with Greenock Morton in his early career, before joining the likes of Irvine Meadow, Kilbirnie Ladeside, and a successful spell with Largs Thistle with yielded two trophies.
George, who lives in Gourock, and is a retired IBM senior executive, said: “The veterans world cup had been held in Zurich over the last few years and it recently moved to Manchester.
“It is a FIFA involved invitational event, and I represented Northern Ireland because of my Irish granny ruling.
“This was the first time that Northern Ireland had taken part in the event in the 65s and over category.
“It basically involved 25 minute games. There were five games on Saturday and five games on the Sunday. And the top two met each other in the final.
“We played Denmark in the final and it was a tough game with the Danes scoring within ten seconds of kick-off and we thought we were in for a very tricky match.
“With five minutes to go I thought I had blown it as I was given a second booking and sent off for an early bath.
“I had initially mouthed off at the referee for not giving a foul earlier in the match and then I got my marching orders for a tackle which the referee thought was a foul.
“Thankfully the boys managed to get over the finishing line without me.”
The elite veterans five-a-side event was held at Manchester City’s training ground, Platt Lane, with top facilities for the players.
The other sides involved were England, Wales, USA, Hungary, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland, Australia, United Nations, and Global Doctors.
George had just stepped off the plane from a holiday in Benidorm with Largs Thistle legends Kenny Barnstaple, Adam Russell, and Archie Halley, who were celebrating 30 years to the week of Thistle’s Scottish Cup final win over Glenafton which was a feisty affair with four red cards.
George, who turns 66 in July, said: “It was a great way for me to round off the anniversary week but I never ever envisaged that I would win a world cup!
“It was the only game that Denmark lost as they had beaten us in the round-robin so it was extra special to win the final against them 3-2.
“I even received player of the tournament award after accumulating the most man of the match awards in the tournament, and even received man of the match in the final despite the red card.
“Our keeper was 80 years of age and also won keeper of the tournament.”
Asked if he had any ambitions of himself play into his 80s, George replied; “Well, my wife says that it is time for me to hang up my boots now that I have won the World Cup.
“But I replied: ‘No, it is time to get a new pair!'”
Away from playing, it is full circle for George as he has returned to Cappielow as a recently appointed director of Morton Club Together where he hopes to provide the benefit of his expertise behind the scenes.
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