Thread by @jcdnifg

The #NornIron's team flight to Mexico for the 1986 World Cup disappears through that wormhole over the Bermuda Triangle. So, we're on the phone to FIFA again for dispensation to replace the squad (don't worry, the original team all re-appear through a plot hole two weeks later)..

Wigan manager Bryan Hamilton, working as a pundit for ITV, ditches the shiny suit to step in as boss. He is assisted by captain and BBC pundit Martin O'Neill, who has only recently been beaten in his long fight against injury, so missing the tournament. Which 22 will they pick?

1. GK. George Dunlop (Linfield) 1 cap. Selected for Spain 82, he won his only cap against Israel in 1984 but surprisingly missed out on the squad this time. The only viable option as starting number 1!

2. DF. Colin Hill (Arsenal) uncapped. First called up back in 1983 on establishing himself in the Arsenal defence, either at right-back or centre-back. He has since fallen out of the Division One side, but he still has the potential to have a long career.

3. DF. Jim Hagan (Birmingham City) uncapped. Now an established first-teamer with Birmingham after a long apprenticeship in Coventry's reserves. Played 31 Div 1 games last season. Was a member of the 1984 British Championship winning panel, but missed out on a cap due to injury.

4. DF. Gerry McElhinney (Plymouth Argyle). 6 caps. A regular in #NornIron's defence a few years ago, his place has since been taken by the likes of Alan McDonald. Would bring big-international game experience to the squad having already faced the likes of West Germany.

5. DF. Lindsay McKeown (Linfield) uncapped. Multi-honour winning sweeper, McKeown was Ulster Footballer of the Year in 1980. A former youth cap from his time with Manchester United, he also played in the English league for Sheffield Wednesday.

6. MD. Jim Cleary (Glentoran) 5 caps. A member of the 1982 squad, and last capped in 1984. Now captains Glentoran and has won multiple trophies as well as represented the Irish League.

7. MD. Terry Cochrane (Gillingham) 26 caps. 33 year-old winger Cochrane missed out on a place in Spain due to injury. Now in the veteran stages of his career, he was last capped 2 years ago.

8. MD. Lee Doherty (Linfield) 1 cap. The Irish League's star midfielder, Doherty has long been touted for a move to full-time football. Scored on his only previous international appearance, a win over Israel back in 1984.

9. FW. Bobby Campbell (Bradford City). 2 caps. Desperate times call for desperate measures! Campbell has had a long and prolific goalscoring career, he also has a bit of a habit of misbehaving at international tournaments. Perhaps the added responsibility will do him good?

10. FW. Gary Blackledge (Glentoran) uncapped. A prolific goalscorer in the Irish League with Portadown and Glentoran, he also has experience abroad, having played for Chaumont in France. He's also registered an international goal, against Eire in a 1978 under-21 match.

11. MD/FW. Ray McCoy (Coleraine) uncapped. Ray McCoy has been scoring goals from the wing in the Irish League since his teens and in 1983 won the Ulster Young Player and NIPFA Newcomer of the Year awards.

12. GK. Eric McManus (Bradford City). Still uncapped after 17 seasons in the English League, though will be hoping to add to his Amateur recognition. McManus fell out of the first team picture at Bradford last season, but did play while on loan with Middlesbro' and Peterborough.

13. DF. Paul Agnew (Grimsby Town) uncapped. Established himself as Div. 2 Grimsby's left-back over the past few years. Holder of schools and youth caps, he played for Cliftonville before joining Grismby in 1984.

14. DF. Colin Bailie (Reading) uncapped. Played regularly at both right and left-back last season as Reading won the Division 3 title. Previously played regularly for Swindon.

15. DF. Gary Fleming (Nottingham Forest) uncapped. Youth international. Broke into Forest's Division One defence as right-back in the second half of the seasons at the age of 19.

16. MD. Noel Brotherston (Blackburn Rovers) 27 caps. A regular on the Northern Ireland wing in the early part of the decade, he has fallen out of favour in recent years. Still capable of providing a bit of excitement!

17. GK. Mickey Keenan (Portadown) uncapped. Former youth cap, has shone for Portadown over the past 5 years and has won inter-league honours.
18. DF. Darrin Coyle (Everton) uncapped. Moved to Everton from Linfield last season. Made his debut in the Super Cup vs Spurs in February.

19. MD. Jim Harvey (Hereford U.) uncapped. Former under-21 cap and regular in Division 4 Hereford's midfield over the past 7 seasons.
20. MD. Mark Todd (Manchester United) uncapped. No first team games as yet, but a star of the Man. Utd Youth team that reached the FA Youth Cup.

21. MD. Barney Bowers (Glentoran) uncapped. An inter-league cap, Bowers had been in the Northern Ireland squad as a teenager.
22. FW. Tom Finney (Cambridge United) 14 caps. A regular international through the 70s and squad member in Spain. Still a creative force in Division 4.

Options are thinner than for Spain.
Other possibles: GK Alan Paterson (Glens), DF David Jeffrey (Linfield), Sean O'Neill (Chesterfield), Jim Heggarty (Burnley), MD Robbie Dennison (WBA), Paul Millar (Glens), FW Billy Murray (Linfield).
Anyone else? #GAWA #NornIron

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