United Kingdom national football team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| United Kingdom | |
| Association | British Olympic Association |
|---|---|
| Head coach | None appointed |
| Captain | None appointed |
| Most caps | ??? |
| Top scorer | ??? |
| FIFA code | N/A |
| FIFA ranking | N/A |
| First international | |
 UK 12 - 1 Sweden  (London, UK; 20 October 1908) |
|
| Biggest win | |
| UK 12 - 1 Sweden (London, UK; 20 October 1908) |
|
| Biggest defeat | |
 Bulgaria 6 - 1 UK (Melbourne, Australia; 30 November 1956) |
|
| Olympic Games | |
| Appearances | 8 (First in 1908) |
| Best result | Gold, 1908 and 1912 |
A United Kingdom national football team (that would be known as the Great Britain and Northern Ireland national football team or the Great Britain national football team) is entitled to represent the United Kingdom (UK) in football at the Olympic Games. However, no United Kingdom team currently exists, although, historically, the UK took part in the Olympic Games (as well as playing a handful of friendly matches) from 1908 until 1972 before disbanding. Instead, national football teams representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compete in all other international competitions, including the World Cup and European Championships.
The British Olympic Association have stated that a UK team will be formed to compete in the London Olympics in 2012.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Development
Football was codified in England. There were representative international matches between England and Scotland as far back as 1872, before the sport spread to other parts of the world. The Home Nations' professional teams tended to play amongst themselves. England did not play opposition from outside the United Kingdom until 1908[2] and nor did Scotland until 1929[3]. None of the Home Nations took part in a World Cup until 1950 because they had withdrawn from FIFA over disputes regarding the payment to amateur players and did not rejoin until 1946.
England has been the only team to have any major success internationally, winning the 1966 World Cup. Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage of any international tournament, despite competing in final tournaments of eight World Cups and two European Championships. Northern Ireland have not qualified for a finals tournament since 1986, and Wales since 1958. This is sometimes raised as an argument in favour of a single United Kingdom national team, citing the advantages of being able to call upon an extended pool of players.
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[4]. 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.
[edit] Olympic team
[edit] Original team
| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's Football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1900 Paris | Team | |
| Gold | 1908 London | Team | |
| Gold | 1912 Stockholm | Team | |
In the past, there has been a United Kingdom team in the Olympic football tournament, although, as the UK competes under the name of 'Great Britain and Northern Ireland' at the Olympics, the football team is usually known as 'Great Britain' within this context.
The United Kingdom, then competing under the name 'the United Kingdom' at the 1908 Summer Olympics, won the gold medal in the first official football tournament at the 1908 Games, beating Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark.[5] These teams were predominantly made up of players from the English national amateur team, and were organised by the The Football Association with the acquiescence of the other Home Nations' FAs.[6] The United Kingdom has not competed in the Olympic football tournament since 1972, when they were knocked out in the qualifying rounds by Bulgaria.[6] The last occasion on which a Great Britain and Northern Ireland team reached the Olympic finals was the 1960 Games. After the Football Association scrapped the distinction between professional and amateur players in 1974, no more UK Olympic teams were entered.[6]
[edit] 2012 Olympics
Since 1972, Olympic rules have been relaxed to allow professionals to take part, but there has been no return of a UK team. However, due to London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics it has been confirmed that a UK team, controlled by the British Olympic Association, will compete at the 2012 Olympics. A women's team was thought to possibly compete as soon as the 2008 Summer Olympics[1], but FIFA disallowed it (see 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup).
The proposal for a UK team was initially supported by the FA in England and the Irish FA (Northern Ireland's football governing body). However, the Scottish Football Association refused even to attend meetings at which the Home Nations were to discuss the possibility[7]. At those meetings, the Football Association of Wales stressed it was strongly against the proposal, and, on December 6, 2005, it was announced that the FAW Council had voted to withdraw from negotiations.[8]. It is not yet known if the Welsh FAs will allow their players to be selected for the tournament or even if they or the SFA are able to refuse, though the SFA have made it clear they intend to block any Scottish registered player from taking part. FIFA president Sepp Blatter now says said the independent status of the four British associations could be harmed by a unified GB team competes in the 2012 Olympics. [9]Scottish manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been offered the job of coaching the team, but it is unknown if he will accept. [10]
In October 2007 the Irish FA also came out in opposition to the plans and announce that they will not be taking part. The English FA now remains the only UK Football Association willing to take part.
Despite the opposition of two of the Home Nations' FAs, polls show that public opinion is in favour of the creation of a team for the 2012 Olympics. A recent survey of Scottish football fans claims that two-thirds would support a unified team being entered for 2012.[11] Other fan groups have declared their opposition to the united team. [12] In a joint statement in October 2007 the official fan clubs of all four Home Nations voiced their opposition to the plan.
[edit] Position of FIFA
The position of FIFA, football's international governing body, in the debate is seen as critical. The Scottish Football Association's opposition to the plans are rooted primarily in the fear that the Home Nations would lose their special status,[7] which is established under FIFA's constitution.[13] FIFA President Sepp Blatter had given assurances to the Home Nations' FAs that their status would not be affected by the FAs fielding a combined team in 2012, stating:
| “ | We have confirmed in writing that they have to provide a Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympics, but the four British associations will not lose the rights and privileges acquired back in 1947.[14] | ” |
Nonetheless, the SFA has made clear that its position has not changed, arguing that Blatter's personal opinion and permission may not matter once Blatter has left office, and that they do not wish to jeopardise Scotland's future position[7]. The case for the UK team may be strengthened by the decision of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball to permit a single UK volleyball team to participate at the 2012 Games. [15]
On 9 March 2008 Fifa president Sepp Blatter seemed to change his view on the team by stating:
| “ | They should enter only a team composed of players from England.[16] | ” |
He also suggested that the independent status of the four British associations could in fact be harmed by a unified GB team, contradicting his previous statement.
[edit] Other Olympics
As no British team enters the UEFA Under-21 Championship, which functions as the European qualifying competition for the Olympics, it is thought that any team would be a one-off creation for the 2012 Olympics. The team would qualify as of right of being the host nation. The British Olympic Association refused to rule out the possibility of entry for the 2008 Games.[17] However, following England's qualification for the semi-finals of the 2007 U-21 Championship, a play-off between Portugal and Italy, the two third-placed teams in each group, was played to decide the fourth European team for the 2008 Olympic Games. Italy defeated Portugal through a penalty shoot-out booking their Olympic place in Beijing. Ironically, the England women's team also successfully negotiated the qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympics (the 2007 World Cup), only to be denied a place at the Olympics.[18]
[edit] Friendly results
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The kits worn in the two past matches: • Scotland's blue in 1947. • Northern Ireland's green in 1955. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In addition to matches at the Summer Olympics, the Home Nations have previously united to play two friendly internationals against 'Rest of Europe' representative sides. On both occasions, they included all four Home Nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Despite Northern Ireland's participation, both matches were played under the name of 'Great Britain'.
- May 10, 1947; Hampden Park, Glasgow: Great Britain 6-1 Rest of Europe
- August 13, 1955; Windsor Park, Belfast: Great Britain 1-4 Rest of Europe[19]
[edit] 1947: the Match of the Century
The 1947 game, dubbed the 'Match of the Century', was played to celebrate the return of the Home Nations to FIFA (they had left in 1920). For the match, played at Scotland's Hampden Park in front of 135,000 spectators, the Great Britain side wore a navy blue strip in honour of the host association. The gate receipts, totalling £35,000, helped boost the finances of FIFA, which had been damaged by the lack of competition during World War II.[20] On that occasion, the Great Britain team consisted of:
- Frank Swift (England), George Hardwick (England), Billy Hughes (Wales), Archie Macaulay (Scotland), Jackie Vernon (Ireland), Ron Burgess (Wales), Stanley Matthews (England), Wilf Mannion (England), Tommy Lawton (England), Billy Steel (Scotland), Billy Liddell (Scotland).[21]
[edit] 1955: Irish FA's anniversary
The 1955 game was played to celebrate the Irish Football Association's seventy-fifth anniversary. For this reason, the match was held at Belfast's Windsor Park, and the British team took to the field wearing Northern Ireland's green strip. The Great Britain team fielded comprised:
- Jack Kelsey (Wales), Peter Sillett (England), Joe McDonald (Scotland), Danny Blanchflower (Northern Ireland), John Charles (Wales), Bertie Peacock (Northern Ireland), Stanley Matthews (England), Bobby Johnstone (Scotland), Roy Bentley (England), Jimmy McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Billy Liddell (Scotland).[19]
[edit] Other matches
Two other games were played between Wales and a team representing the rest of the United Kingdom, with players from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The first match, in 1955, commemorated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Football Association of Wales. The second match, in 1969, commemorated the investiture of the Prince of Wales. In both cases, the united team played under the name of 'Rest of the United Kingdom'.
- December 3, 1951; Ninian Park, Cardiff: Wales 3-2 Rest of the United Kingdom
- July 21, 1969; Ninian Park, Cardiff: Wales 0-1 Rest of the United Kingdom[19]
[edit] Future prospects
Beyond the creation of a team to take part in the Olympics, there has been support, albeit rather limited, for the creation of a permanent British national team. Although often hypothetical in nature, such a proposal has been put forward by prominent government ministers, including the former Home Secretary, Jack Straw,[22] and the former Minister for Sport, the late Tony Banks.[23]
Many see the chance of a permanent British national team as being remote, with over 100 years of history standing behind the separate teams of the Home Nations. As well as being opposed by the Home Nations' football associations, serious doubts linger as to whether fans of the Home Nations could be expected to put behind them the intense and often bitter rivalries, which have occasionally spilled over into hooliganism, that have long existed between them.
In addition, it is feared that a unified United Kingdom team would have repercussions on the continued existence of the four Home Nations' separate football associations, their separate league and cup competitions,[23] despite assurances from FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Recent proposals to reinstate the British Home Championship have been accepted in principle, but rejected on the grounds of fixture congestion.[24]. The lack of opposition to the re-introduction of the Home Internationals indicates that none of the Home Nations will be inclined to create a permanent unified national side in the near future.
Further diminishing the chances of a permanent British team is the Football Association's bid for England to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup [25], which if successful would virtually ensure the status quo until then.[citation needed]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ a b 'GB football team to enter Games'. BBC Sport, 30 September 2006 (retrieved on 2006-09-30)
- ^ England international results. Nygård, Jostein; RSSSF, 5 June 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05
- ^ Scotland international results. Nygård, Jostein; RSSSF, 9 June 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ "The Auld Opponent". The Times. 15 June 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ Games of the IV Olympiad. Aarhus, Lars; RSSSF, 15 October 1999. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ a b c "Britain's Olympic past". Barber, David; The Football Association, 3 March 2004. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ a b c "No Scots for GB Olympic football". BBC, 11 November 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ "Wales oppose GB Olympic football". BBC. 6 December 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ Blatter against British 2012 team BBC News, March 9, 2008
- ^ Lord Coe lines up Alex Ferguson to take charge of British Olympic side Matt Dickinson, The Times. 1 March 2008. Accessed 02-03-08.
- ^ "Survey shows Scots back united Olympic team". Mackay, Duncan; The Guardian, 20 October 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ Fans Groups Oppose GB Oplympic Team Association of Tartan Army Clubs; 1 October 2006. Retriec on 2007-09-29.
- ^ FIFA StatutesPDF (880 KiB). FIFA, 12 September 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ "Smith 'excited' by Olympic team". BBC, 2 September 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05
- ^ British volleyball team for 2012. BBC, 27 October 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-27
- ^ "Blatter against British 2012 team". BBC, 9 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-10
- ^ "Britain looks to Beijing after Scotland's snub to 2012 Games". Goodbody, John; The Times, 12 November 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ Caborn blasts women's Games snub
- ^ a b c England Player Honours - International Representative Teams. England Football Online, 14 February 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ History of FIFA. FIFA. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
- ^ Norman, Giller (2004). Football And All That. London: Hodder & Stoughton, pp. 115-116. ISBN 0-340-83589-3.
- ^ "Red card for Straw's 'British team' idea". Travis, Alan; The Guardian, 29 November 2000. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ a b "'Jerusalem' to spur England to Euro 2000 promised land". Harris, Ed; Evening Standard, 8 May 2000. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ "Home Internationals unlikely - FA". Lindsey, Clive; BBC, 10 February 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05
- ^ England to bid for 2018 World Cup BBC Sport, 31 October 2007
[edit] External links
- BBC Sport: GB football team to enter Games
- "The Case for a UK team"PDF. July 2006.
- NoTeamGB.com, pressure group opposed to a UK team.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||
