British Football Team

[adedawson]

Since its looking more and more likely that we are going to have a British team for the Olympics I thought it would be interesting to pick the sort of players that might do well in Team GB.

I'll start by picking a few from outside of England.

Giggs - Wales: Possibly, he's going to be getting pretty old, but you cant argue his experince. *edit* forgot he retired from international

Darren Fletcher - Scotland: Fiery player, with lots of closing down, hassling and tackles. On form he gets the odd goal too.

Simon Davies - Wales: Fulham's player of the season 07/08

Aaron Ramsey - Wales: Young Ramsey, don't know much about him other then him being a welsh prodigy. If he does well at arsenal he will be 21 in 2012.

 

[ישראל]

A british national team? where all the players from England, Scotland, Walles etc gonna be in the starting eleven of Britain more of that who is gonna be the coach?that's the stupid idea I ever heard, to unite 4 national team to one? give me a break.

 

[thetrooper37]

^ why is it such a stupid idea? They compete that way in other Olympic events.


Do you know what you're talking about?

 

[ישראל]

Yes. that's a stupid idea coz every country need to have a national team and Britain is not a country its a continent! If england are so losers in the soccer What cause you to believe that the united Britain will not be ?

 

[Help?]

I thought that the next olympics there will be no over 23 year old players in football, after Nigeria did it this year?

 

[adedawson]

Yes. that's a stupid idea coz every country need to have a national team and Britain is not a country its a continent! If england are so losers in the soccer What cause you to believe that the united Britain will not be ?

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is recognised as a country world wide. By definition of the United Nation's for example we are one country. We have one parliament and its been that way for a long time.

Were Basically 4 countries that united under one Government to form one nation. Like the kingdom of the Netherlands or a bit like how the states of America united to make the United States.

The only reason we have a Scottish , Welsh etc teams is due too the fact each nation within the United Kingdom likes to hold onto its heritage and individuality with each Nation forming its own Football association and since England and Scotland are the joint oldest National Teams in the world being formed in 1872 FIFA couldn't come along and ignore this fact. They basically go by FA not the government which the Olympics does.

Although there is a fear if a British team is formed our individuality will be ignored. Although Blatter has apparently come out and said this wont be the case and we can form a British team in the Olympics without fearing a loss of England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland with Fifa.

I'm looking forward to it, we stand united in pretty much everything, why not here. We can use the commonwealth games to hold dear to the past.

Britain is not a country its a continent!

Btw Britain is a name of a Island that comprises of England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland is a Country under one government. A Continent is Europe, Asia, Africa, North America etc

 

[adedawson]

I thought that the next olympics there will be no over 23 year old players in football, after Nigeria did it this year?

I'm not sure? doesn't sound like a bad idea though. Younger players not earning the mega bucks in these professional sports are more likely to give more to there country?

 

[KingPaulV]

well said there ade, you said everything i would have!!

 

[thetrooper37]

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is recognised as a country world wide. By definition of the United Nation's for example we are one country. We have one parliament and its been that way for a long time.

Were Basically 4 countries that united under one Government to form one nation. Like the kingdom of the Netherlands or a bit like how the states of America united to make the United States.

The only reason we have a Scottish , Welsh etc teams is due too the fact each nation within the United Kingdom likes to hold onto its heritage and individuality with each Nation forming its own Football association and since England and Scotland are the joint oldest National Teams in the world being formed in 1872 FIFA couldn't come along and ignore this fact. They basically go by FA not the government which the Olympics does.

Although there is a fear if a British team is formed our individuality will be ignored. Although Blatter has apparently come out and said this wont be the case and we can form a British team in the Olympics without fearing a loss of England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland with Fifa.

I'm looking forward to it, we stand united in pretty much everything, why not here. We can use the commonwealth games to hold dear to the past.



Btw Britain is a name of a Island that comprises of England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland is a Country under one government. A Continent is Europe, Asia, Africa, North America etc

thanks for explaining it...I would've made it much shorter with a lot of *'s in between.

 

[yoyo913]

Britain is not a country its a continent!

Smart man.

 

[Run DMB]

Simon Davies - Wales: Fulham's player of the season 07/08

Being Fulham's player of the season is like being the brightest student at Marion Barry High.

 

[Bobby]

Craig Gordon and Maik Taylor because English keepers not named "Foster" are crap. Seriously, Paul Jones would start for England.

 

[Mus]

I'm not sure? doesn't sound like a bad idea though. Younger players not earning the mega bucks in these professional sports are more likely to give more to there country?

I thought they were only allowed like 3 over 23's

 

[Zakov]

Yes. that's a stupid idea coz every country need to have a national team and Britain is not a country its a continent! If england are so losers in the soccer What cause you to believe that the united Britain will not be ?

Britain a continent?!! Go take geography lessons.
Losers? I assume yer country did better by saying that, oh wait, they're $hite .........

Good thread adedawson, it'll mean there's more talent to choose from, you combine Scotland, Wales and England, loads more players to choose from, players like Ramsey is a good example, Wales and Scotland have loads of footballing talent.
I think its brilliant idea to make an all Britain team like the Olympics and Tennis.(Top player is Scottish, Andy Murray)

 

[Mandieta6]

Zakov, Israel were the reason England even had a chance to qualify after holding Russia to a draw. No one ever expected us to qualify against 3 better teams, there's no comparison. Israel are actually performing above expectations, England are disappointing to no end. So take your head out o your ass.

That said, this other guy is an idiot and I'm embarassed to be from the same country as him.

And on topic, the footie portion of the Olympic is meaningless to any established player, I believe, making it U-23 exclusively is a good idea, and making a GB team seems fair considering the rest of the Olympics.

 

[adedawson]

I wonder if a British team did well do you think nations of the UK would actually think that maybe it isn't such a bad idea to have a joint team with FIFA? I guess it would mean making a British FA and the Scottish fa welsh etc agreeing to it. Perhaps it would never happen, all that history and tradition lost, but then if a British team did well you never know.

Doesn't seem like a bad idea to me but with what's been in the news recently about the Scottish having there own Olympic team there's more likely to be separation in regards to Britain/teams then anything else. *edit* Sorry I found that came from the SNP its like listening to the BNP

 

[Zakov]

Israel are actually performing above expectations, England are disappointing to no end. So take your head out o your ass..

When I said $hite it was meant to piss him off, it wasn't about being competent or not, sorry if I got u pissed as well, but $hite is a tame word(at least for me it is), no need to go about telling my head's in me arse.

ade, I think it would be hard to convince, not only the FAs, but the supporters or people of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales. I think Wales would be a good bet if there was a merging to create a British football team. But I doubt Scotland and Northern Ireland would want it, the former with their pride/history, the latter would rather merge with Republic of Ireland, it would make more sense.

 

[adedawson]

aye, your right. Imagine though if Ireland never left the UK. That would be a cracking team. Keane and Rooney upfront Anyway enough dreaming and what if.

who is gonna be the coach?

Gordon Brown approached Sir Alex about the job but I have a feeling that was more like idol chit chat/advise. For a start SAF has Said he wants to retie. But I think he's quite opposed to the idea. Just read this article from back in July

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article4402713.ece

I think Gordon Brown is using it more as a selling point then anything that he is looking for great managers. I heard some talk of David Beckham too. I'm not a big fan of the guy but lets face it he's a huge ambassador of the game probably has more followers and more people know him then any other player has. He's set-up god knows how many things to get more kids involved in the sport and is encouraging for a Olympic team. I think Beckham's name has been used due to this fact and there looking for a way they can incorporate him into the team.

I've seen reports saying he could be coach that seems mad to me but then it could be a refreshing change? He will be used in some form though would be stupid not too.

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/olympics/article.html?in_article_id=278366&in_page_id=310 - Article about Beckham as coach.

 

[adedawson]

One other thing that's just occurred to me is team's releasing there star players for the Olympics. Man United for example went through losing Anderson.

You guys also mentioned this under 23 thing. Done some searching and found a article.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/30/olympicgames20081?gusrc=rss&feed=sport

It says that Fifa have made a rule that if the player is under 23 they must release him for duty if they are selected to play for the Olympics. So from my understanding under 23's are mandatory over 23's can be picked but there clubs can choose weather or not to release them?

Found out another detail the UK team in the Olympics 1908, 1912 are one of four teams that have defended there gold title.

*edit* would seem we had a British team from 1900 until 1972

I must be missing something, if we had a Olympic team that were winning why did we stop entering a team?

*edit*

After the Football Association scrapped the distinction between professional and amateur players in 1974, no more UK Olympic teams were entered.

So that's why.

Based on statistical analysis of recent matches, it has been estimated that a United Kingdom national team would have had a one-third greater chance of winning the 2006 World Cup than England did at the tournament's outset[5]. Opponents of the plan argue that the existing footballing identities of the fans of the Home Nations should not be sacrificed simply to stand a better chance of success.

Thought that was a interesting quote. The bigger pool of players would make a difference and if there no fear of losing individuality with Fifa why not.

 

[Mandieta6]

I don't think there should be a British team for all competitions. It makes sense for the Olympics, but I think it's interesting having Wales, Scotland, N.Ireland and England each with their squad.

If they end up unifying them, I wonder if they'll ever fuse all the leagues together. Having the Old Firm in the Prem would be interesting.