the final group game, Germany's Gerhard Strack hit a winner past Albania to claim the only qualification spot in the group for the Germans; they finished ahead of Northern Ireland on goal difference. Bingham proved that 1982 was no fluke after he led the nation to the 1986 FIFA World Cup. They qualified, along with England, after beating Romania, Finland, and Turkey to claim second spot in their group. They faced an insurmountable challenge however in Brazil and Spain, and exited the tournament with only a point against Algeria. He also coached Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League during the 1987–88 season, and led the club to their fifth Kings Cup title in 1987. The retirements of O'Neill, Jennings and Whiteside (the latter due to injury) robbed Bingham of his best players. Northern Ireland failed to reach the 1990 and 1994 finals, and he stepped down in November 1993. The final game of the 1994 World Cup qualification campaign was against Republic of Ireland, and was to be marred with sectarianism and controversy. Bingham's men set out to deny the Irish the point they needed to secure qualification ahead of Denmark, with Northern Ireland unable to qualify. Jimmy Quinn's strike was cancelled out by a late Irish equaliser, and after the game there was an ugly exchange between Bingham and Ireland manager, Jack Charlton. Both 1990 and 1994 qualification groups ended with Spain and the Republic qualifying, with Northern Ireland finishing some distance short of the mark. Bingham later served Blackpool as director of football. In May 2008 he came out of retirement to become a talent spotter in Ireland for Burnley. Personal and later life Bingham was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to football in the 1981 Birthday Honours. He was married and divorced twice, and had a son and daughter from his first marriage. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, and died at a care home in Southport on 9 June 2022, aged 90. Career statistics Club International Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bingham goal. Managerial Awards and honours As player Luton Town FA Cup runner-up: 1959 Everton Football League First Division: 1962–63 As manager Southport Football League Fourth Division second-place promotion: 1966–67 Linfield Irish League: 1970–71 Ulster Cup: 1971 Gold Cup: 1971 Blaxnit Cup: 1971 Northern Ireland British