English (but Irish?) players

**BradyIsMyHero** · 05/02/2007, 9:39 AM

A question has been asked in today's "The Knowledge" section of guardianonline:

""Much has been made in the past about English-born players declaring for Ireland, but is there an English XI who have played for England but technically could have declared for Ireland?"

Can think of Martin Keown and possibly Wayne Rooney?

Any others ?

**Bring Back Mick** · 05/02/2007, 9:47 AM

Paul Scholes, Kevin Keegan, Kerry Dixon..............for starters, Joe Corrigan in Goal

**Pauro 76** · 05/02/2007, 9:48 AM

Tony Cascarino as it turned out.

Kevin Gallen

**tetsujin1979** · 05/02/2007, 9:57 AM

I remember Greavsie saying he could have declared for Ireland, his grandmother was Irish.

**Bring Back Mick** · 05/02/2007, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by PAURO 7

Kevin Gallen

The Greedy ****** never actully played a full international ......

who's sorry now Kev !!!

**Dodge** · 05/02/2007, 10:05 AM

Problem is he's sorry he never played an international rather than he turned down Ireland.

**Paddy Garcia** · 05/02/2007, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Problem is he's sorry he never played an international rather than he turned down Ireland.

Agree, the funny thing is if he had played for us the extra exposure would probably have got him that move to Liverpool or another top team before his injury in 96. The story could have turned out very different indeed.

**DeNiro** · 05/02/2007, 10:16 AM

Bryan Robson had some Irish connection as well. Rio Ferdinand has an Irish grandmother. There was an Argentinian international (1986 WC squad) that had an Irish relative as well. Might be Luis Brown (maybe

).

**Paddy Garcia** · 05/02/2007, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by DeNiro

Bryan Robson had some Irish connection as well. Rio Ferdinand has an Irish grandmother. There was an Argentinian international (1986 WC squad) that had an Irish relative as well. Might be Luis Brown (maybe

).

yes it was Brown

**greendeiseboy** · 05/02/2007, 10:45 AM

brian kidd
steve froggatt - unused sub
noel whelan - under 21
nobby stiles
gareth barry
tony adams
steve bould
gazza - acording to jack charlton could have played
michael carrick
aaron lennon

**carloz** · 05/02/2007, 10:55 AM

Just on Kevin Gallen i dont really blame him for not playing for Ireland. Supposedly Gerry Francis told him that if he declared for Ireland he would not play for QPR again

**Lionel Ritchie** · 05/02/2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by carloz

Just on Kevin Gallen i dont really blame him for not playing for Ireland. Supposedly Gerry Francis told him that if he declared for Ireland he would not play for QPR again

Certainly came under huge pressure from QPR to "stay English" until they got a good price for him.

**AustinoAsprilla** · 05/02/2007, 12:20 PM

Steve Bruce

**tetsujin1979** · 05/02/2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by AustinoAsprilla

Steve Bruce

Never capped for England

**Paddy Garcia** · 05/02/2007, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Never capped for England

Same as Nolan!

**The Swordsman** · 05/02/2007, 12:36 PM

I seem to remember Peter Reid saying that he could have played for Ireland. I think one of his parents was Irish.

I also seem to remember that Steve Bruce wanted to declare for Ireland, but couldn't because he played once for England at under age level

**fergalr** · 05/02/2007, 12:39 PM

Not sure about all of the names mentioned above but there are loads and two that spring to mind are:

Martin Keown - two irish parents
Steve McMahon

**JimmyP** · 05/02/2007, 12:41 PM

Didn't James Milner play for us briefly at underage level before switching?

**Lionel Ritchie** · 05/02/2007, 1:23 PM

Originally Posted by The Swordsman

I seem to remember Peter Reid saying that he could have played for Ireland. I think one of his parents was Irish.

I also seem to remember that Steve Bruce wanted to declare for Ireland, but couldn't because he played once for England at under age level

Bruce played in an England B game. At the time I believe that copperfastened your eligability.

**EalingGreen** · 05/02/2007, 1:43 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

Bruce played in an England B game. At the time I believe that copperfastened your eligability.

Not so, since "B" internationals are considered as friendly fixtures, not competition matches, so do not affect eligibility.

In fact, Bruce is an interesting example. Since his mammy comes from Bangor, Co.Down, he was approached first (afaik) by the IFA, not the FAI.
However, he declined for two reasons. First, he still had hopes of playing for England. Second, he played for MU at a time when UEFA restricted the number of "non-nationals" of a team who could play in European football. Therefore, Ferguson made it quite clear that he didn't want Bruce playing for anyone else except England. End of.

Of course, Steve Bruce's son Alex is even more pertinent to current events! When, on account of his Bangor granny, he was approached by both the IFA and FAI, he eventually chose the ROI, on the basis that they had a "better team"! I wonder if he still thinks that?

Anyhow, I'm not sure whether he's yet played a competitive fixture for the ROI, but if he has, or does in future, he may be caught out should the IFA win its present case lodged with FIFA re. eligibility.

(At which point, EG dons tin hat and ducks for cover...

)