Midfielder Eric McMordie arrived for Manchester United trials as a 15-year-old at the same time as George Best. Both youngsters returned homesick to Ireland shortly afterwards but, while Best soon returned to begin his stellar Old Trafford career, McMordie remained in Ireland until 1965 before signing for Middlesbrough where he played over 200 league games and won 21 caps for Northern Ireland. He arrived at Pools in 1976 and played around 50 games, scoring twice.