THE World Cup is something special compared to other tournaments.

I remember playing in a qualifying round for Northern Ireland in Albania in 1965.

If we had won we would have been in the ‘66 finals.

The bonuses that were put in front of us for if we made it were like telephone numbers they were so big.

The money they were offering us was amazing – but that wasn’t our motivation. We just wanted to be there.

We flew into the capital, Tirana, and went to the stadium to have a look at the pitch.

They were cutting the grass with one of those old oil-fuelled lawn mowers that you push by hand.

On the day of the game, we were winning 1-0 at half-time, and guess who scored the goal? Yours truly ... and it was easy.

We were comfortable in the game, but Derek Dougan had three goals disallowed for ‘climbing’, so the referee said.

When we came out for the second half, the rain had come and washed the line markings away, but the referee carried on playing.

The one instant that cost us was when Pat Jennings picked up the ball when it had gone out of play. It was a good five yards behind the byline but the referee blew for handball against Pat and gave a free kick.

The cross came in, we all stepped up to play at least five of the Albanians offside, but the whistle didn’t blow.

Albania equalised, we didn’t qualify and me and my team-mates were gutted.

We were a very good team, and we would all have loved to have that honour on our CV.

It’s incredible to think that George Best never got to play in the World Cup finals.

We had our dreams ruined by a very poor referee.

England have had a disappointing start to this World Cup campaign, but I wish them all the very best when they play Algeria on Friday, especially because it’s my birthday and I’ve got them to win 3-1.

I don’t want them to spoil my day!