Peacock became Northern Ireland manager a year after his retirement as a footballer in 1961, giving George Best his first start. In the 1960s he returned to Coleraine, winning the Irish League title in 1974. Peacock briefly came out of retirement when he came on as a substitute against Shamrock Rovers in the Texaco Cup in September 1971. It was his last game for Coleraine as they lost 3–0 at The Showgrounds (Coleraine).
He was also assistant manager to Billy Bingham during Northern Ireland's 1982 World Cup campaign, where they famously knocked out hosts Spain in Valencia.[2]
Later life and legacy
Alongside Jim Weir and Victor Leonard, Peacock was one of the founders of the Milk Cup. Held in his native Coleraine, the youth football competition started with sixteen teams in 1982 and rose to become one of the most respected tournaments in the world.
In 1986 he was awarded the MBE for his services to football. He died in 2004, aged 76.
In June 2006 a statue of Peacock was commissioned. The memorial stands in Coleraine and was unveiled by Pat Jennings in July 2007, at the opening of the 25th Milk Cup.[3][4]
Also in 2006, a youth football club was formed in his honour: Bertie Peacocks Youths. This club has a range of teams from under-7 to under-16. In only two years, the teams have been very successful - the under-11s in particular, winning the Down and Connor League, the Down and Connor Knock-Out Cup and becoming Northern Ireland Boys Champions all in the 2008 season. This club has had much encouragement from the wide supporters of Bertie Peacock.[citation needed]
^Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 225.