Northern Ireland’s underdog: Gary Hamilton on dreams, doubts and doing it all

Former Northern Ireland player Gary Hamilton discussed his incredible journey in football, from coming up against Swedish and football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović to becoming a football manager.

The journey began in Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s, playing through youth systems and featuring with Lisburn Boys before getting recognised and making a big move to England. Hamilton spent three seasons with Blackburn Rovers competing in reserve football for most of his time but featured in a cup tie as his first landmark moment in the country.

A loan move to Rochdale was organised with the young striker gaining three senior games under his belt with his first coming as a substitute in a 1-1 match vs Darlington.

Another bold move was completed in the summer of 2001. When Gary, in need of game time, completed a move to Norwegian side Raufoss IL, he wanted to stabilise his football presence, and after seven games and two goals he earned a move to Portadown.

Between 2003 and 2004 Hamilton made five senior international appearances, though rarely featured in the starting eleven. That wasn’t a concern to him as he was proud:

“Playing for Northern Ireland was a lifelong dream … it’s something I can bring to the grave.”

Despite Hamilton making a name for himself in Northern Ireland at the time he questioned the surroundings and his environment:

“I was shocked to get the call-up as I was playing part-time football at that stage for Portadown. I felt there were players that were full-time that should have been picked ahead of me. At the time Northern Ireland were struggling to score goals and then people started questioning why nobody in the local league was being given a chance and I think that was the reason I got selected. The late Harry Gregg was a follower of local football and was also close to Sammy McIlroy and suggested I should get a chance and then it happened. It was a great honour and a proud moment in my career to be selected and one I will never forget even though I didn’t think at that time playing part-time football I truly deserved it.”

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – MARCH 31: A general view inside the stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar qualifying match between Northern Ireland and Bulgaria at Windsor Park on March 31, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Hamilton broke records in the Irish Premiership by scoring six goals in a single match versus Omagh Town in October 2004. This caught the attention of his national team where he had featured a few years prior in the youth set-up, but this time they wanted him to return as a senior.

Gary loved the professional experience and has high appraisals for international fixtures and camps offering a great insight into the events:

“International games and the build-up for me was good because it was like full-time football again … It could also be boring (being) stuck in a hotel for 4 or 5 days but in (those) days after the matches we all went out and had a night out and there were many great nights in different countries. The Northern Ireland squads I was part of were always close-knit groups and I felt at times they punched way above because of their togetherness. There were some quality players but their team spirit was unbelievable.”

The highest of appraisals for the Northern Ireland fanbase come from Hamilton, regarding them as the best about, but also acknowledging that in most games they were the underdogs, however this comes with its upsides too:

“With Northern Ireland most of the teams are tough opponents and they are usually the underdogs. Seeing Ibrahimović in the flesh for Sweden was something I will remember. He was a beast and an unbelievable player. The Spain team was quality as well and filled with Barcelona and Real Madrid players. Casillas, Raul, to name a few. There were so many top players you got to see when I was involved in the squads.”

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – MARCH 24: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group F match between Sweden and Belgium at Friends Arena on March 24, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)

In March 2006, Gary said hello to his new chapter, a move to Glentoran where he continued his incredible goalscoring form. After a five-year spell at the club he found the back of the net 70 times, becoming an attacking threat. One of his highlights whilst at the club was scoring in the early rounds of qualification in the Europa League.

After a period out on loan, Hamilton became player-manager following the resignation of Marty Quinn. What followed was one of the longest managerial reigns in the Irish League, winning the Irish Cup twice and securing consistent top-six league finishes, with pride felt around his hometown club again.

After stepping down in late 2023 after a troublesome start to the season, Hamilton returned to management with the Ballymacash Rangers who compete in the NIFL.