tony_2003

Yeah a GB team is a nice sentiment and would probably even bring the 4 nations a tad closer to each other if it did happen.

Rugby is one thing but a football team would make a big difference. UEFA would definitley make the GB team play in the WC etc, this is why it will never happen.

I would only be for it if a new competition emerged, too much history in the current setup, I'm sure England fans would rather crucify the Queen than merge with us as well

Ryan Giggs, Barry Ferguson,Neil Lennon and maybe Steven Pressley would get in the team, the rst would be made up of English players.

scotch03

I would never want a UK team. I wish that Scotland would represent itslef at the Olympics.
This is only because both England and Scotland have much to offer as independent countries and have a history that I am proud of as a Scotsman.

DaveC

Well there's the Commonwealth games. At least there you don't have to put up with the "English when they're winning / Scottish (or Welsh) when they're losing" from the media.

Webbie

I wasn't going to there (see how American I'm becoming !) and mention that, because you can't...
That is why I said youth team players.
You would not see first team/senior players in an olympic team.

I agree that if this happened then the football or olympic authorities would come along and say "if you have a GB team you have to have a GB FA.
But then politics would get involved and things would get really nasty.

As I said - don't even go there.

doctor scrumpy

Giggs would provide the answer to the problematic left midfield spot in the England team. Other than that it would be 10 Englishmen. Not that the England team are that good in places, just the the othe nations do not have anyone to challenge. Would it make any difference if you included Eire too like they do with the Lions ? Possibly Roy Keane, but he is getting too old for internationals ?

I think the Scots would object a damn site more than the English about merging too ! German manager is ok, but would they ever accept an English one up there ? Somehow I doubt it.

tony_2003

How would Giggs solve Englands problem when it's a Great Britain team? Also you're asuming it would be an English guy in charge, who do you have in mind? Bobby Robson?

doctor scrumpy

What I meant was that given the England team would make the bulk if nit all the players in the GB team, and that England have a problem at left midfield..Giggs would fill that role nicely.

As for an England manager of a GB team, not suggesting it would automatically have to be an Englishman, merely pointing out that the Scots would not exactly be dancing down Sauchiehall Street to greet English manager. For my money the best manager for a GB team could be Martin O'Niell.

Haggischomper

Just to throw another thought into the ring re managers of this proposed UK team - when/who was the last English manager to win the top league? A genuine question - cos I don't know the answer!

doctor scrumpy

Howard Wilkinson Leeds United 1992.

tony_2003

Having an entire team of England players would not work because it would just be England. I also don't think that England has the best players in the entire UK, the majority yes, but not all.

There would have to be a percentage of players from each country...say 4 or 5 split between Scotland, Wales and NI and the rest English.

I don't think an England manager would be a big issue though, after all we had John Barnes at Celtic and Terry Butcher is at Motherwell or something.

Then you have the problem of where to play the games
This is all hypothetical however, nice idea but will never happen.

tony_2003

On the subject of the Old Firm.
Found this story on the BBC website regarding the violence at the last game. These people are insane.
Old Firm Casualties

Webbie

Forget about a possible GB senior team, we know that will never happen.
But at a risk of repeating myself - a GB Olympic team with youth/under 21 players is a real possibility.
As I said before, I would like to see this to see how it pans out.

This team could be coached by Dario Gradi - a bloke who's been the manager at Crewe for how long... 13 years now ?
Why he isn't involved in the England set up I don't know why.
He's managed to keep Crewe in the 1st Division (and sometimes 2nd) with a zero budget and only youth players and free transfers to pick from.
Top bloke and deserves some recognition for his contribution to football.

Changing subject - I read that BBC report about the OF and can't believe these idiots.
All because of religion. (Personal view - ban ALL religions)
I've been in Anfield, Stanley Park, Maine Road and the other place and I've never seen the sort of trouble that the hospital staff in Glasgow have to deal with.
Alright I admit many years ago there were scuffles between supporters down Moss Side way, but nothing ever serious.
The best rivaly I've seen is between Liverpool and Everton.
They've know that it's only a game !

tony_2003

I nearly choked on my coffee when I read this part
"Later a skinhead with a red hand of Ulster flag on his t-shirt has a slash wound on his chin taped up by one of the senior nurses.

He says he was out dancing with his girlfriend and has no idea why someone decided to attack him with a broken glass.

What a puzzler eh? I mean it's the latest rage to go clubing with the Northern ireland flag on your chest isnt it?
Hilarious!

Haggischomper

Sorry, missed this earlier. Yeah, they produced some extra long one's a year or two ago and they flew off the shelves (now THAT's magic!) but I don't think they have any of those left. However, the 'normal' sized one still looks Potter-esque and you should be able to order online from www.motherwellfc.co.uk

DaveC

Cheers for that. I followed the link above and "hey presto" got to the site. Not a bad site, had quick look at the squad pictures and you weren't kidding about the youthfullness of the team. Most of the players with squad numbers 15 and up barely look over 15!

The shop had "not a lot" of the longer scarves but I'm sure the normal length ones will suffice. 5 squid each, not too bad as I have to get 4 for my mother in law. I'm sure she'll be pleased to know she's contributing to help you guys out of administration!