This football great was born on 7 December 1955 and was raised in the Newtownabbey area. This talented defender started his footballing career in Northern Ireland playing for Portadown. His talents then took him across the Irish Sea where he played for Cardiff City, Bangor City, and Mansfield Town, before signing for Rangers for £90,000. There he won a Scottish Cup winner’s medal and went on to captain the side, before Watford paid £225,000 for his services. He later played with distinction for Leeds United, Notts County, St Johnstone, Carrick Rangers, Arbroath, Wycombe Wanderers, Yeovil Town and Darlington. The highlight of his club career was undoubtedly winning the First Division title with Leeds United in the 1991-92 season, the last season before the formation of the Premier League. The team that year included the Leeds legends of Gary Speed, Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and the legend that is Eric Cantona.

At international level he was also extremely successful. He was of a small band of players played for Northern Ireland at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. He eventually won 53 caps, scoring one goal in a win over Turkey.