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Burley voices opposition to British football team proposal



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Published Date: 25 August 2008
SCOTLAND manager George Burley insists the Scottish Football Association remain steadfast in their opposition to the idea of a combined Great Britain team competing in the 2012 London Olympics.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown became the latest high-profile figure to champion the idea while insisting his fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson could take charge of the side.

However Burley, speaking at the opening of Falkirk's new football centre based at Stirling University, reiterated the SFA's and his own opposition.

He said: "It's been black and white from day one with the SFA.

"The national team comes first and at the moment we are keen to keep our nationality intact.

"We have to have a national Scottish team and we can't put that in jeopardy so there has been no change."

Burley is also opposed to the idea of a home international competition with the champions representing Britain at the London Games.

He said: "That's all hypothetical.

"The problem with international games is getting dates for them so it doesn't even come into the equation."

The full article contains 182 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 25 August 2008 1:24 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scotland's football team
 
1

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 25/08/2008 13:24:41
Broon should stick to politics. Oh, hang on, he's useless at that too.
2

Bzzzz1314,

Edinburgh 25/08/2008 13:29:25
Completely correct George. At last a Scotland manager that doesn't sit on the fence. Scotlands national team is far more important than any grovelling ridiculous attempt at forcing a team gb football team on us. Brown, get it up ye.
On another note I find it insulting that Brown is referred to as a "fellow Scot"... he is far from being a Scot.
3

Private Pike,

25/08/2008 13:29:50
Talk about a closed mind. The same closed mind that will continue to start Miller and McFadden up front.

Sep Blatter has apparently given assurances that participation in a GB team at the Olympics will have no bearing on Scotlands footballing independence.
4

Lion-O "Lord Of The ThunderCats,

25/08/2008 13:37:14
If a GB team at the 2012 Olympics will cause FIFA to ask for one FA to cover GB then I feel it's a price worth paying to get rid of the SFA.

The GB team won't happen as England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland won't let it.

However, if Scottish football was run by the FA then surely it would get rid of the OF bias that exists? Strewth, the OF could even get to play in England. Win Win situation if you ask me.
5

Private Pike,

25/08/2008 13:38:03
Bzzzz1314

Why is Brown not a Scotsman?


6

Tynietiger,

25/08/2008 13:55:40
Time for all football fans to protest at Gordon Brown's stupid suggestion for a Team GB football team at next olympics. It will mean the end of Scotland's national side as corrupt officials in FIFA cannot be trusted.
7

Tynietiger,

25/08/2008 13:58:29
# 5.

How many Scottish football fans would say like Gordon Brown that the greatest goal he ever saw was Gasgoinge scoring against Scotland in European Championships.

I suppose as a Raith Rovers fan he doesn't see much footie but numerous better goals even by English players.
8

Private Pike,

25/08/2008 14:03:41
Tynietiger

As it happens, I don't think that Gordon Brown is a football man at all. He says he is a Raith supporter but he certainly doesn't have the understanding of the game which is common to all supporters.

None of that stops him from being a Scotsman.
9

lulach mac gille coemgain,

25/08/2008 14:06:02
By the Next Olympics - we will require Passports to get into England and have an all round Scotland Olympic Team anyway - so nae need to worry about Gordon Browns daft suggestions . . .

Did anybody see him at the Olypics Handover - whilst Boris blew on aboot Flim Flam - Gordon Broon done a quick impersonation of a Ping Pong spectator bobbin’ his heid side to side and still never looked at the camera yet.
10

Bzzzz1314,

Edinburgh 25/08/2008 14:08:39
Brown is a ridiculus joke of a grovelling brit politician who will not be welcome in an independent Scotland, he is so transparent and cringy, he'll do anything to pander to whoever for votes but this time he has made a big mistake. By taking this stance he is alienating every person who is proud of their national football team and wants to preserve it. As usual the ridiculous "brits" think they know better... It is obvious that all the complainers and apologists have no idea what they are talking about, leave football alone. You want to go flouncing about in your pretend country imagining that britain and the glorious union are still relevant to the individual countries on this island then away ye go but dont go feigning shock and surprise when the votes come in to end this ridiculous sham. Not british, never have been, never will be... SCOTTISH and damn proud of it unlike some.
11

Molz,

porty 25/08/2008 14:18:43
#4 Pure fantasy!
You think the prats at the English FA are any better? They wasted £4 million a year on Erikson. And we would be asked to support the same team as all the Nazi scumbags who've attached themselves to England for the past 25 years.
Keeping the OF out of the Premiership would be one of their priorities. Football in Scotland would be much worse off all round
12

tomislav,

Serbian Loyal RSC 25/08/2008 14:27:53
I couldnt care less about a Scottish team, but we should look at this team GB idea really closely with the motive being 'could it aid our eternal quest of getting the Gers in to the English league' thats all that matters ,,,,,
13

rorie,

alloa 25/08/2008 14:34:54
you can take oor oil,,,,,,,,,,,,,but ye canny take oor pathetic fitba' team. and the eternal quest to get rangers into the english league will never happen.
14

zorba,

airdrie 25/08/2008 14:57:09
Never mind Brown what about the suggestion that beckham gets involved in the dispute surely we dont need him and posh telling us what to do.
And of course we should all remember that by 2012 we might just well be an Independent country, so we will be having our own Team Scotland 'a nation once again'
15

zorba,

airdrie 25/08/2008 14:59:00
oh and i forgot who would trust sepp blatter and Platini, maybe we should hve a british league of 6 divisions with all the scottish tems included
16

Bigwull,

edinburgh 25/08/2008 15:21:55
I don't see a problem with a British team, we are still part of Britain afterall, this is typical of the small minded SFA in action. I'm sure if you asked Craig Gordon he would be well up for playing as an overage player, it is still an under 23 competition isn't it?
17

Arthur G,

Glasgow 25/08/2008 15:24:04
TynieTiger #*

"...I suppose as a Raith Rovers fan he doesn't see much footie but numerous better goals even by English players..."

If I were a Raith Rovers fan my favourite ever goal would be the one scored by my team in the Olympic Stadium Munich 31 Oct 1995 in the UEFA Cup game aghainst Bayern Munich. Then again, I'm not trying to please the Middle-English voters who despise me no matter what.
18

Scotland to prosper...,

25/08/2008 15:24:31
#6

That’s a horrendous attitude, its people like you who ruin Scotland.

This sick and twisted “Can’t do” attitude is what has hindered certain Scots for years. Who are you to say that playing for Scotland will never result in a medal? Look what Greece achieved and lets face it, they are not anything special with regards to football.

I just wish Scots would for once, take their head out of their own ar*e and believe in their own people. It’s a genuine sadness of mine that my countrymen can feel so pessimistic about themselves and their ability.

19

tommytommy,

25/08/2008 15:57:01
A GB hockey team
A GB cycling team
A GB athletics team
A GB swimming team
A GB gymnastics team
etc etc etc


So why expect anything other than a GB football team?

Now if Scotland had a team entered for the Olympics I would see the point but as things stand they dont.

20

Ewan M,

Striling 25/08/2008 16:02:01
If it doesn't harm the independence of the four home nations then we must compete in 2012.

Comments 11 and 21 you guys are extremely paranoid. If you are so proud to be Scottish be it a bit more reasoned in you arguments, people might listen more. My personal opinion is Scotland working together with the rest of the UK is far better for our people.
21

Truely English,

25/08/2008 16:13:43
Surely, the Scots are strong enough to see that we are all part of the same British family and would be much stronger if there was only one football side to represent us all at the Olympics.
22

Who's it gonna be? ,

25/08/2008 16:16:35
Stupid idea. Will never happen. Who will pick the team? An Englishman? Fergusen is dead against it so no chance of him doing it. How many Scots/Irish/Welsh will get a game in this team? 1/2? How are the 'other' home nationsgoing to b e able to cheer on a British team full of English players, the very people we want knocked out of every tournament because their ego tells them that they deserve to win every game. No chance. And I do not know anyone who will accept this tosh.
23

Neutral Observer,

25/08/2008 16:47:45
#9 Private Pike

Re Gordon Brown and Raith Rovers - I actually met and spoke with the same Gordon Brown in 1999 in the boardroom at Starks Park. I was there on an invite by Douglas Crombie as was the then Chancellor of the Exchequer for a Raith v Hibs game. So I can confirm that he is a Raith fan. However, he confirmed that most of his football watching these last few years is on TV (matters of state prevail).

He might also have confirmed that the supporters of Glasgow Rangers are Scotland's shame but he preferred to wait for the result of the planned referendum on that topic.
24

Armo,

25/08/2008 16:49:46
Rangers fans will love the idea.

They get the chance to fly their union flags.

Not sure if their rioting will be looked on as kindly though so maybe shouldn't bother going to any of the games!

Not sure if the Olympics is ready for that...
25

Neutral Observer,

25/08/2008 16:51:10
Pundit

Here is my prediction for the referendum referred to in my post 27 above.

Yes vote 88%
No vote 2%
Abstensions or too drunk to vote 8%
Spoiled papers (brown stains) 2%
26

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 17:05:17
14 - after Manchester ? dream on.
27

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 17:08:43
The superpowers have a stand off re Georgia, the economy is going doon the tubes, the price of heating is aboot to rocket - and what activates Broon maist ? Getting a UK team to compete in some Mickey Mouse tourney in the next Olympics !
28

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 17:23:18
#1
Might qualify as a Hibs goalie then
#2
Never believe a word Blatter says
29

Backofthenet,

25/08/2008 17:41:41
There has been a GB Olympic football team on various occasions and the sky didn't fall in (it only stopped, in the 1970s I think, because of changes to the rules on amateurism). There will be a GB Olympic football team in 2012. So all this posturing is rather futile.
30

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 17:47:50

34 - And when the South American and African associations get their way and there is only one FIFA representative from the UK (guess who that will be !) the outcry from the Scottish, Welsh and NI associations will no doubt be futile as well.
31

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 17:50:33
32 - and of course Blatter's eventual successor will be under no obligation to defend the 1946 FIFA agreement re the four UK associations. In fact he might kow-tow to the emerging fitba powers outside of Europe.
32

GersFanOfFitba,

25/08/2008 17:51:19
#27. Bigots like you are why the comment threads on Rangers got shut down.

Numpty!

Anyway -- back to the fitba.

I agree with Burley. A united GB team is a recipe for disaster for us all, as I'm sure we all know.

Brown has clearly been london-ified. Disgraceful, IMHO!

33

HZ,

25/08/2008 17:58:21
Is British football really so petty that it can't unite for a one off competition?

Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish rugby can unite every four years for the British Lions with the backing of fans from each nation and exceptional pride from the players selected.

The FIFA argument is a nonsense. They know the value of the individual countries, particularly England, and that a combined team would never be able to equal that in a long term guise. But for a single competition, or even recurrently in the Olympics, a compromise must surely be reachable, particularly given that Olympic restrictions would mean it was not the equivalent of a full national side in any case.

And can we really, without shame of face, not have a British team competing in the most famous sport Britain has given to the world when the biggest sporting event in the world comes to Britain?
34

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 17:58:41
37 - I hope mair of the follow-followers share your opinion re GB XI
35

Pilrig.,

25/08/2008 18:01:40
38- maybe it is petty, but the integrity and (whisper it)independence of the 4 associations is infinitely mair important than some two-bit tourney in 2012. One-off ? mair like thin end of the wedge.
36

Darryl Matheson,

Elgin, Morayshire 25/08/2008 18:05:05
Why would anyone want to deny Scottish players the opportunity to compete at the Olympics and possibly win a medal? Which is likely (hopefully not) to be the only chance they have of wining something major in international football.
37

Backofthenet,

25/08/2008 18:06:00
#35,

I repeat: there WILL be a GB football team in 2012. If the South American and African associations want a single British team in other tournaments and have the power to achieve it, do you really think the SFA saying "Ah but we didn't want there to be a GB team in 2012" is going to stop them?
38

wayne bijlyeerheid,

25/08/2008 18:06:51
#27 &28
Can't you for a moment forget your bigotry and comment on the topic?
It's not as if it makes any difference to either of you, since your national team is not even on this island.
39

BEMUSED EXILE,

25/08/2008 18:09:52
I hate to spoil the stereotype, but I've been a Rangers fan for over 40 years, and have lived in England for the last 20-odd years. However...

I've never wanted to see RFC in the Premiership or any other English league, and I've always enjoyed seeing the English national team being embarrassed. I feel no allegiance towards them whatever, and I've always particularly loved watching the other Home Nations cutting them down to size, including the ROI.

As for this specific issue, the independent standing of the Scottish National team has come under subtle pressure in the corridors of power at various times in the past (although we probably don't even get to know about it some of the time), and the last thing that we want to do is provide ammunition for our own demise.

A footballing nation that exists within a larger nation, and who's players carry the passports and nationality of that larger nation, is in a potentially precarious position, so we must protect our own interests.

A resounding NO to a British Olympic footballing team from this poster.
40

Darryl Matheson,

Elgin, Morayshire 25/08/2008 18:10:32
There will be a British team in 2012, there is absoloutley no doubt whatsoever about that, Why deny scots the oppurtunity to take part?
41

Ribbonman,

Glasgow (east) 25/08/2008 18:23:50
#4 In official terms "northern ireland" is not part of Gt. Britain, so that leaves that shower of mugs out of the reckoning.
42

Raymond Thomas Brooke,

Leven England 25/08/2008 18:32:23
Of course there should not be a GB football team we have enough whinges from Managers, Footballers spectator as it is .
Those involved inplaying the game are all grossly overpaid Prima Donnas. Apart from that how would the general public divide ateam of 11 equally between 4 nations . All in all football should not be in the olympics they have their own world cup when the home nations are fully represented.
I do not care what G Brown thinks he ought to try solving the problems he has created for this country
43

Ribbonman,

Glasgow 25/08/2008 18:33:07
#14 Yes. it would be good to see Rankers play in the English league,this would satisfy their English fans who wave the English flag at Ibrox and away games.They can also sing loudly about their English queen and sing their English war songs "rule britannia" etc. etc.Most importantly. The English public would be saddled with the large sectarian hooligan support which follows this discredited club.
44

Navvy,

25/08/2008 18:36:01
some narrow minded stuff here.
When did a Scotland team last win?

Long long ago in the days of national service the Royal Scots won the BOAR cup on the strength of their Hearts and Hibs NS men

Compare the sporting successes of 2 similarly sized nations, Scotland and New Zealand compare the Scottish football side with the All Blacks. Until all they lager swilling pot bellied couch potato smokers actually get out and play with a degree of seriousness there is no way in which a Scottish team will make the grade
45

Ribbonman,

25/08/2008 18:38:15
#38 Its the British and Irish lions.... Idiot! I can tell that you are one of those "rule britannia" mugs. Get a life loser.
46

Clydesdale,

25/08/2008 19:11:16
How many times will the same rubbish be spouted!!!

Enter Private Pike,

"Sep Blatter has apparently given assurances that participation in a GB team at the Olympics will have no bearing on Scotlands footballing independence."

Has he really?

Perhaps you should read what he said at the IFAB meeting at Gleneagles in March. From the BBC website link provided below,

"The Scottish FA reiterated its opposition to a unified team during a meeting with Blatter on Saturday.

"I said that is the best thing for you to do," said Blatter.

"If you start to put together a combined team for the Olympic Games, the question will automatically come up that there are four different associations so how can they play in one team.

"If this is the case then why the hell do they have four associations and four votes and their own vice-presidency?"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/football/
7286011.stm

And what about his good friend Vice President Jack Warner and his dislike of the 'priviledged' position of the home nations? see link,

http://www.sportindustry.biz/news/view/310/warner-wants
-to-end-uk's-fifa-'privileges'

What of Catalonia's claims to get FIFA endorsement for a national football team and citing the UK situation as a precedent? (much to the chagrin of the Spanish FA). Further pressure is placed on FIFA.

There is much more to quote on the fragility of Scotland's position as an separate member of FIFA if required.

It's that old adage Private Pike - 'tell a lie enough times and people will start to believe it'.
47

Clydesdale,

25/08/2008 19:23:05
49 Navvy - not a fair comparison. World rugby is dominated by around 6 to 8 teams, not therefore a huge level of competition for New Zealand. World Football is massive by comparison with dozens of teams potentially providing competition at the top. Within football's world rankings Scotland is actually quite highly placed coming 16th out of 200 while New Zealand's football team is 111th.
48

Bzzzz,

Edinburgh 25/08/2008 19:28:43
There is no british in football and that's the way it must stay.
Football has its stage and that's the World Cup
49

faddy,

hampden in the sun 25/08/2008 19:34:52
The tartan army supports Scotland win lose or draw. The special atmosphere that exists at hampden on a big match day surpasses anything that team GB could produce at any olympics. Chris Hoy is a great cyclist, Scotland needs a couple of great footballers. Scotland must never be part of a British Team.
50

Helter Skelter,

25/08/2008 19:42:01
53

I wholeheartedly agree. Football has evolved outside of the olympics and has never seen itself as part of the olympic tradition.

The World Cup is football's own competition which brings together the best players on the planet and allows them to battle it out for the world title, with no javlin throwing or rowing a boat in between the breaks.

The olympics is one huge bore-athon for most football fans, and to share the stage with shot-putters and gymnasts is too horrible to contemplate.

Keep the olympics out of football.
51

WL,

livingston 25/08/2008 19:55:38
I do not care if an English football team wants to compete in the Olympics, but they can not as, they would have to represent an independent country, which England is not. But that does not give any reason to establish a UK Football team. Sorry for the English.
52

Edinburghs only big team,

25/08/2008 20:14:39
#54 The Tartan Army's 'special' atmosphere includes bile and hatred and is nothing to be proud of.
53

Clydesdale,

25/08/2008 20:20:31
'Lion O' - Oh my god I just read your post (post no 4). Where on earth do you begin with such an idea?

National Associations are not the most popular of institutions (not only in Scotland) but are you seriously asking for the end of the Scottish national team, our national football leagues, entry for Scottish clubs into European competition and our national cup competitions because you don't like the Scottish FA?

Do you think that the FA would be a better organisation which would after Scottish football interests? Beyond the Old Firm, what of the other Scottish clubs? Do they count in your grand plan? Would you be happy to see them in the FA League One or in non league football?
54

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:23:47
42 - if that's the case then the only way we'll have a SCOTTISH football association is through independence.
Broon has his agenda - he's the guy who wants us to fly Union flags in oor front gairdens, why else is he so enthusiastic aboot something so miniscule in football terms as the an Olympic UK XI ?
55

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:24:33
57 - a North Brit.
56

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:27:54
49 so we've to have a combined GB side ? As someone said on another site on this subject the rationale behind GB XI is the same as that of a Edinburgh United. And who the hell wants that ?
57

Neil Waugh,

Old Strathcona 25/08/2008 20:29:31
The SFA should embrace Catalonia's bid for full FIFA World Cup status. The more the merrier I say.
It would also shore up Scotland's status until at least the referendum. When we will become a full status world nation. (FIFA, UN, NATO, etc, etc.)
Are the Basques any good at footie?
I wouldn't trust that slimey Sepp Bladder (as Robin Williams called him) any farther than I could punt him. Which is actually quite a pleasant thought.
58

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 20:37:52
#46
NI is still part of the UK though if the sportsman choose to can still compete under the Irish flag
59

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 20:40:38
#63
Shades of Wallace Mercer there EH?
60

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 20:42:36
Not quite sure why we shouldnt have a Team GB football side.

Various reasons provided in posts all dreadfully weak.

--- Let's go for it!
--- A stronger GB entity a good step towards CFC joining the football elite in a British league.
--- it might also act as encouragement for SDM to drag his lot into the 21st century as I'm sure RFC will want to follow follow Celtic to the top table.
61

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:43:13
63 - yep but the supporters of Hibs & Herts wont touch the concept of a joint stadium let alone a joint team with a bargepole. And quite rightly too
Mercer tried to turn Embra into a one-team city by attempting to put Hibs oot the box. Being a weegie he was rather ignorant of Embra's fitba traditions, and in reality he was only after the land value of Easter Road.
62

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:45:06
66 - another rantic dreamer
63

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 20:45:08
Waspy, 64

Aye, you're right - but I'm wondering how long before that changes.

We've seen enormous progress there in the last few years and as demographic change continues I wonder WHEN Ireland is united.
64

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 25/08/2008 20:48:09
Waspy, you will never be forgiven for your first point at post 32!

Fully agree with point 2. I trust him less than I trusted Broon's budgets

By the way, our keeper was superb up here on Saturday.
65

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:52:41
71 - Yep you're right Prime Minister -the majority of the games at Wembley, with token (unimportant) internationals in Glesca, Belfast, and Cardiff.
But never mind we can wave oor wee Union flags in the sparse crowd at Hampden and sing God Save oor Auntie Jean.
66

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 20:53:43
R, 71

Aye, in a football context I agree.

In terms of your "royalty" I think you'll find they're actually Germans.
67

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:55:09
Why no' combine the Auld Firm while we're at it ?
68

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 20:56:10
Pilrig, 72: no more major ties at Aberdeen then?
69

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 20:56:29
P, 74: Why?
70

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:58:47
75 - naw Pitoddrie will be used as a training groond for oor sooper-dooper, all conquering U23 Olympic squad for 2012. Excuse me while I yawn in excitement.
71

faddy,

hampden in the sun 25/08/2008 20:58:58
Nr 57 Never experienced bile and hate. Scottish humour is sometimes just a bit black.javascript:__doPostBack('wctlAddComment1$ctl00$btnPost','')
Post Comment
72

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 20:59:21
Why not ?
73

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 20:59:26
#70
Sorry could not resist it.
#69
I am all for a united Ireland and an independent Scotland even though I have lived in England for 35 years.
The feeling of the general English people I know is that the sooner we all go our own ways the better it will be for us all then we will not be blaming of fighting each other

Slainte
74

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 25/08/2008 21:02:14
Ok. I'll let you off since you have to suffer living in the sarf (did it meself for 13 years).
75

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:03:13
Waspy100, 81

I'm for a united Ireland and a united Britain.

I'm familiar with many English people too and I concur your assessment of their perspective.

I reckon Scotland will go from bad to worse.
76

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:04:31
R, 83

Let's just have a British team.

In Olympics, World Cup, Euros, whatever....
77

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 21:07:55
83 - and the Europeans would say whey not a combined UK team for the Euro championship ?
why a Scottish manager ?

Do the GB enthusiasts really think their team would pull in the crowds at Hampden ?

Oops I forgot Team GB would only play the token game at Hampden.
78

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 21:08:28
85 see post 86
79

WL,

livingston 25/08/2008 21:09:06
#46
That is exactly why the Olympic team should never have been called "Team GB" but "Team UK". But it is the "British Olympic Association" (sic) who does that, knowing that GB is not a country and can not compete as such in the Olympic Games!!!!!!!!!!!
They just love to represent the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and every British (?) Overseas Dependant Territory which does not have its own National Olympic Committee.
Brittannia rules the waves and the world!?!?
80

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 21:10:30
84 - I don't know, after all we've shed the North British mentality despite the PM's best efforts. Did Norway become a worse place after independence ? And would Dublin like to revert to London rule ?
81

,

25/08/2008 21:12:01
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
82

Pilrig.,

Livingston 25/08/2008 21:14:32
90 shouldnae slag Becks, after all he's the talented half of his marriage.
83

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 25/08/2008 21:16:35
#91 and a decent guy too. One of the few superstars to remember where he came from.
84

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:17:17
P, 89: Dublin.....another country....another island....never ever chose to be part of Britain...was only ever subject to appalling cruelty in their own country....

Are you really trying to make some sort of parallel? Really?
85

WL,

livingston 25/08/2008 21:17:21
#843
In a united Britain England would go from bad to worse, not Scotland. We will see!!
86

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 21:18:46
#84
Cant have your cake and eat it
87

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:19:28
WL, 94:

News Flash: Britain is already united!

England is significantly more prosperous.
88

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:19:51
W, 95: Que?
89

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 21:24:36
#83
Even though none of the "home nations" did not qualify at least we all competed as an independent country.
And we all had a bit of bad luck on the way.
90

Clydesdale,

25/08/2008 21:26:43
66 Colossus Mark - Sepp Blatter warns against England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales joining together to form a GB football team and you claim this reason as 'dreadfully weak'? Do you know something about the mood within FIFA that Sepp does not?

Good to see that you have the interests of Scottish football at heart, by that I mean that you regard the Old Firm as being Scottish football. I expect you just see the other senior league clubs in Scotland as wee diddy teams. One slight problem though with your visions of CFC and RFC getting into the FA Premiership - the other clubs don't want them (it would be like turkeys voting for christmas). Why would other English clubs already supping at the top table vote themselves out?
91

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:28:33
The good news, guys, is that when Broon, Coe, Ferguson, Blatter, etc discuss it they will have an adult conversation - unlike many of the "Braveheart" internet warriors with corner shop mentality we witness here tonight!
92

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 25/08/2008 21:32:07
CM2, if I could trust any of the names you mention I wouldn't worry. However, experience tells me to be very afraid.
93

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 21:34:12
#100
CM2
your becoming boring again dear chap
94

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:34:32
Clydesdale, 99

Your first para is erred. Blatter has made no such warning.

Yep, I do have the interests of Scottish Football at heart, and I do want to see CFC join the football elite.

With a strong British structure evolving rather than the anachronistic model that currently exists, the path is paved for CFC to join the PL.

Whilst the turkey\Christmas comment is valid is could be overcome.
95

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 21:43:37
#103
Oh yes he did
Sepp Blatter has previously said that fielding Scottish, English, Welsh and Northern Irish players as part of an Olympic team could threaten each country’s football bodies.

But Mr Brown, a keen supporter of Raith Rovers, said: “I hope there will be a team by 2012. It will be Team UK. I hope we can get an agreement on that.

96

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:50:08
Waspy100, 104

Quote:

Sepp Blatter has previously said that fielding Scottish, English, Welsh and Northern Irish players as part of an Olympic team could threaten each country’s football bodies.

Comment:

Ah, that's different from what was claimed in #100.

I welcome the "threat". It's time we were football GB - let's fundamentally update football on this island.
97

Clydesdale,

25/08/2008 21:51:27
Collosus - You are very trusting of Blatter, perhaps you should read up on the investigative articles produced by English journalist Andrew Jennings on him. Also FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, the man who is on record threatening the position of the home nations, has been found guilty of corruption but remains in power through the support of Blatter. Warner's family made in the region of 1 million dollars profit re-selling 2006 world cup tickets at inflated prices (corruption at the highest level). Warner, who is a dominating force within CONCACAF,used his influence to have the Trinidad and Tobago FA President removed from office and replaced with his 'associate' Patrick John. His associate spent 12 years in prison after trying to overthrow the Dominican govt in 1981 supported by the Klu Klux Klan! These are the people who hold high office in FIFA and who have a major influence on the future of the home nations. The Scottish, Welsh and Irish FAs know all of this only too well and and very correct to distance themselves from GB football teams and FIFA 'politics'.
98

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:52:14
* ooops...make that:

Ah, that's different from what was claimed in #99.
99

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:53:50
106: Sheeeesh....please.....not ANOTHER conspiracy story!!!

BTW - I trust no man.

100

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 21:57:56
Guys,

Minnow FAs are into self preservation!

You cannae blame the SFA members for trying to perpetuate their gravy train!

Nice wee number at Hampden.....nice salaries, cars, blazers, ties, good seats at the Cup Final, and some dinners wi some sponsors? Nice!

If they get a good office they can watch McCurry oot in the Car Park!
101

Waspy100,

25/08/2008 22:01:43

#105
Try widening your horizons and start looking at facts.
Read the sports in the press , read the football forums
then again you seem like a lost cause not listening to reason or debate just going on dogmatic as ever.
"I am right everybody else is wrong"
Don't work that way sonny
102

Clydesdale,

25/08/2008 22:03:42
Collosus - Where would team GB play? Wembley? Who would control them? the FA? What about the Scotland national team and the Scotland supporters? What about Wales and Northern Ireland? What about 136 years of football tradition?

To take your philosophy forward in relation to getting rid of football traditions for the progression of football and big business - why not combine Celtic and Rangers together and have a team 'Old Firm' or Glasgow United? I don't think you would be too happy with this?

The quote from Blatter to the BBC,

"If you start to put together a combined team for the Olympic Games, the question will automatically come up that there are four different associations so how can they play in one team.

"If this is the case then why the hell do they have four associations and four votes and their own vice-presidency?"

Blatter is pointing out the threat that exists to the autonomy of the home nations and this is backed up by the concern of the the Scots, Welsh and Irish FAs.
103

Colossus Mark 2,

25/08/2008 22:04:43