Alex Bruce

[SkStu]

Alex to score the winner vs the Faroes. Towering header in the 90th minute. The script is written.

You left out the bit about him kissing the crest... ;)

[CraftyToePoke]

I don't want Bruce anywhere near the Northern Ireland team.

He took his chance with the South - it didn't work out. Tough.

Fcuk him.

So whats the plan for him NB? Are there enough of you of this mindset to mobilise and maybe try to block it ? Or to at least make him aware of his not being wanted and maybe he will fade away of his own accord?

[Not Brazil]

Anyway, he's eligible, like anyone without a competitive cap. Tougher still.

The same must be true of thousands of British citizens....


Yes, we know he's eligible.

He satisfies both Articles 16 & 18 of the FIFA Stautes, in terms of representing the IFA...as must all British Citizens, if they wish to play for us.

Because he is eligible, does not mean he should be selected.

He had his chance to represent Northern Ireland, and turned it down in order to represent the South.

I do not welcome his inclusion in the Northern Irish set up one iota.

[Not Brazil]

So whats the plan for him NB? Are there enough of you of this mindset to mobilise and maybe try to block it ? Or to at least make him aware of his not being wanted and maybe he will fade away of his own accord?

Don't know how it can be blocked, but I'm sure plenty of Northern Ireland fans will let Bruce know what they think of his inclusion, if/when he makes his debut.

[DannyInvincible]

Don't know how it can be blocked, but I'm sure plenty of Northern Ireland fans will let Bruce know what they think of his inclusion, if/when he makes his debut.

Do they realise what the media will do with that?

[CraftyToePoke]

Don't know how it can be blocked, but I'm sure plenty of Northern Ireland fans will let Bruce know what they think of his inclusion, if/when he makes his debut.

I realise you cant legally block it as the guy is eligible, however I was thinking more of an organised campaign where the fans speak as one against this? Is there one yet? Or likely to be one?

After all, it is your team, Worthington will come and go, as will the players and administrators, but the supporters remain, and the side are out there representing you so surely if the strength of anti Bruce feeling can be properly orchestrated, your voice may be heard. DannyInvincible has recently paved the way on the eligibility matter and gotten some coverage in wider media.

An option perhaps?

[DannyInvincible]

The spin-doctors have arrived at OWC:

About half a month ago, Worthington said the following: "I've just got to be patient like everybody else and see what the outcome is. When I spoke to him he's been very enthusiastic."

It's inconclusive but would it not imply that Worthington made the first approach with a proposal? Not that it's really that big of a deal. It's just a lot of NI fans seem to go on about who approached who first as if it determines the morality of the matter.

And couldn't you say that Bruce qualifies for NI because of one of these so-called political documents?

[geysir]

Say it ain't so, Alex.

[tricky_colour]

Are you sure???

Desperate more like....

I have more respect for those desperate to play than those who can't be arsed.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yes, we know he's eligible.

He satisfies both Articles 16 & 18 of the FIFA Stautes, in terms of representing the IFA...as must all British Citizens, if they wish to play for us.

Because he is eligible, does not mean he should be selected.

He had his chance to represent Northern Ireland, and turned it down in order to represent the South.

To be fair, he's one of the many, er, British-born players in the North's squad, so why would anyone care??


I have more respect for those desperate to play than those who can't be arsed.Fine. So Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O'Hara, Paddy Kenny, Stephen Ireland & Andy Reid all have no chance??

[ifk101]

It's inconclusive but would it not imply that Worthington made the first approach with a proposal? Not that it's really that big of a deal. It's just a lot of NI fans seem to go on about who approached who first as if it determines the morality of the matter.

If morality and ignorance are the same thing, then yes NI fans can take the moral high ground.


He had his chance to represent Northern Ireland, and turned it down in order to represent the South.

I do not welcome his inclusion in the Northern Irish set up one iota.

His situation is no different to a number of players in the NI squad, no? He couldn't make the team of his choice so he decided to throw his lot in with NI.

[DannyInvincible]

Why is he any different to Kane or O'Connor who, without major problem, seemed to be welcomed back to the IFA after spells with the FAI?

[Not Brazil]

Do they realise what the media will do with that?

I'm sure they do.

[Not Brazil]

His situation is no different to a number of players in the NI squad, no? He couldn't make the team of his choice so he decided to throw his lot in with NI.

It is different.

[Not Brazil]

To be fair, he's one of the many,er, British-born players in the North's squad, so why would anyone care??


The fact that he is English born has little or nothing to do with it.

[Stuttgart88]

I think he's been shown up as an opportunist, which most of us suspected.

From a NI fans' view, he's a ROI-reject-opportunist. It's worse.

[ifk101]

It is different.

So you agree players in the NI squad have settled for second best?

[Not Brazil]

So you agree players in the NI squad have settled for second best?

Not unlike players in the South's squad in that regard.

To cut a long story short, I think International football is being devalued by some of the shenanigans and opportunism that's going on.

[ifk101]

Not unlike players in the South's squad in that regard.

To cut a long story short, I think International football is being devalued by some of the shenanigans and opportunism that's going on.

So some shenanigans and oppportunism is okay but "shenanigans and opportunism" is not okay as this devalues international football? Alex Bruce falls into the "shenanigans and opportunism" category?

[Not Brazil]

So some shenanigans and oppportunism is okay but "shenanigans and opportunism" is not okay as this devalues international football? Alex Bruce falls into the "shenanigans and opportunism" category?

Bruce would be the first player in the modern era that turns out for Northern Ireland, having represented another Nation at full International level.

He had his chance to play for Northern Ireland before - rather patronisingly, he chose not to.

I respect that decision, and do not want him in our squad now.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Aye, but we're not the managers. Nor do we make the rules....

Lots of players no longer care about international football;maybe we should be grateful for those that do?
Some people are eligible for 4-5 countries, but until they are left with that competitive stamp they can 'float' between all of them.

This is true of Bruce who is eligible for 3 different teams in 2 countries!
:eek:

[Not Brazil]

Aye, but we're not the managers. Nor do we make the rules....

Lots of players no longer care about international football;maybe we should be grateful for those that do?
Some people are eligible for 4-5 countries, but until they are left with that competitive stamp they can 'float' between all of them.

This is true of Bruce who is eligible for 3 different teams in 2 countries!
:eek:

Regardless of what the rules are, or who makes them, I think Worthington and the IFA have made a big mistake in entertaining Bruce, after him choosing to represent the South and rejecting Northern Ireland.

Regardless of how players can "float", Worthington shouldn't be sending rescue crafts to lift opportunists like Bruce from the seas of the international wilderness, after him jumping from from the South's full international ship.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Well, given there's no country in Europe called 'the South', it's difficult to have much sympathy for your poaching of players....

;)

[Not Brazil]

it's difficult to have much sympathy for your poaching of players....


I think you might sense that I'm none too happy about the IFA's "poaching" (perhaps rescuing is more apt) of Bruce from the South's stock of dead wood.

[geysir]

He had his chance to play for Northern Ireland before - rather patronisingly, he chose not to.

What did he say or do at that time to give you the impression that he was patronising?

[tricky_colour]

To be fair, he's one of the many, er, British-born players in the North's squad, so why would anyone care??

Fine. So Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O'Hara, Paddy Kenny, Stephen Ireland & Andy Reid all have no chance??

Anyone who does not want to play, by definition, has no chance, I suppose you could drag them onto the field and tie them to a goal post but I think you would be liable for a charge of false imprisonment in that case. :p

[Not Brazil]

What did he say or do at that time to give you the impression that he was patronising?

http://foot.ie/threads/33837-Is-Alex-Bruce-the-ultimate-mercenary

[geysir]

"I am going to pick the Republic purely because I think they are a better team. That is no disrespect to Northern Ireland." said Bruce.

That's pragmatic opportunism, not patronising.

[Not Brazil]

That's pragmatic opportunism, not patronising.

Aye, whatever.

Coming 5 months after Northern Ireland had beaten his country of birth, it did raise a grin.

[ifk101]

Coming 5 months after Northern Ireland had beaten his country of birth, it did raise a grin.

He's comparing the ROI and NI, no?

[Not Brazil]

He's comparing the ROI and NI, no?

Yes.

Bruce is English, no?

[ifk101]

Yes.

Bruce is English, no?

Yes he is born in England. So why would the result in a England/ NI game influence his decision to chose between NI and ROI?

[Noelys Guitar]

Surely this is Nige trying to get his own GB team together before 2012? A kind of distant fourth cousin to to those actually selected. And why not I say.

[geysir]

Possibly the way Bruce sees it, there are two Irish association teams and he doesn't see much, if any, difference between the two, apart from the superior football ability of the ROI team :)
A Paddy from the North or a Paddy from the South, are all the same to Bruce. He is demonstrating a complete lack of Paddy-ethnic discrimination.

The exclusive hatred for Bruce from the OWC fans is purely because he chose the ROI first, as I presume a similar player who had played 2 friendlies for England would be welcomed.
All goes to show, as if we didn't know already, that for a large part of the NI support, ethnic intolerance and hatred comes easy, even though they have a claimed aspiration to appeal to both of the largest ethnic groups in the North. But as that recent Slugger blog (http://sluggerotoole.com/2011/06/02/northern-ireland-soccer-represents-british-northern-ireland-not-erm-northern-ireland/) went, 'Northern Ireland soccer represents ‘British’ Northern Ireland, not, erm Northern Ireland'

[DannyInvincible]

If anything, Bruce has kept "politics" out of it entirely.

[geysir]

Exactly, Bruce soars like an eagle to rise above the petty bigotry of the OWC fans and all they can do is squabble in their own mire.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Coming 5 months after Northern Ireland had beaten his country of birth, it did raise a grin.

Well, judging by the other players (born outside the six counties) currently representing the North's lesser sides, he'll be in good company!

The one 'plus' point is they'll be less likely to defect elsewhere? As they know they'd never get a game with the Ingles?
And will even know the words to that current dirge of an anthem....
;)

[Fixer82]

Possibly the way Bruce sees it, there are two Irish association teams and he doesn't see much, if any, difference between the two, apart from the superior football ability of the ROI team :)
A Paddy from the North or a Paddy from the South, are all the same to Bruce. He is demonstrating a complete lack of Paddy-ethnic discrimination.

The exclusive hatred for Bruce from the OWC fans is purely because he chose the ROI first, as I presume a similar player who had played 2 friendlies for England would be welcomed.
All goes to show, as if we didn't know already, that for a large part of the NI support, ethnic intolerance and hatred comes easy, even though they have a claimed aspiration to appeal to both of the largest ethnic groups in the North. But as that recent Slugger blog (http://sluggerotoole.com/2011/06/02/northern-ireland-soccer-represents-british-northern-ireland-not-erm-northern-ireland/) went, 'Northern Ireland soccer represents ‘British’ Northern Ireland, not, erm Northern Ireland'

Jaysus for years we had to listen to Ian Paisley giving out about the IRA.
Now it's Ian Parsley giving out about the IFA. :)

[Predator]

The exclusive hatred for Bruce from the OWC fans is purely because he chose the ROI first, as I presume a similar player who had played 2 friendlies for England would be welcomed.Indeed.

Does the same level of contempt exist for Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane I wonder? Does it not apply or does it bubble beneath the veneer of respect?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Most Ireland fans wouldn't have a clue who they are. And even if they did, reckon most wouldn't give two fecks unless they popped up years later and scored an important goal or something. Similarly with Bruce. Good luck to him, in the main.

[DannyInvincible]

I think I read on OWC about a fortnight to a month ago that Bruce's Bangor roots were Protestant. Someone in the FAI must have found out as well as I can't imagine why else we'd be getting shot of him.

Meanwhile, I've heard Derry City keeper Gerard Doherty being touted for a NI call-up in recent weeks also. Of course, that's the same Gerard Doherty who played with Ireland at under-18 level in 1997 before the Good Friday Agreement was ever signed.

[Not Brazil]

Well, judging by the other players (born outside the six counties) currently representing the North's lesser sides, he'll be in good company!


He was in equally good company with the South.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yeah, but you're the one commenting on where he was born!

[Not Brazil]

Yeah, but you're the one commenting on where he was born!

I have no problems with where Bruce was born.

I do have a problem with the IFA soliciting him from his, self imposed, international wilderness.

I don't want him representing Northern Ireland.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Except they're desperate (and don't really care what you think), so they'll take whoever's eligible from wherever. So what?
Welcome to 'international' football in the 21st century.

[CraftyToePoke]

I have no problems with where Bruce was born.

I do have a problem with the IFA soliciting him from his, self imposed, international wilderness.

I don't want him representing Northern Ireland.

You didnt get back to my earlier questions NB, do you think there will be a protest at this? Or a concerted organised voice where opposed fans speak as one at least?

[Not Brazil]

Except they're desperate (and don't really care what you think), so they'll take whoever's eligible from wherever. So what?
Welcome to 'international' football in the 21st century.

They'll care what people like me think, when we make our voices heard.

[Not Brazil]

You didnt get back to my earlier questions NB, do you think there will be a protest at this? Or a concerted organised voice where opposed fans speak as one at least?

I don't think there'll be a formal protest.

I expect fans with strong feelings about Bruce's inclusion will make their voices heard - they do speak as one....no thanks to Bruce.

[CraftyToePoke]

I don't think there'll be a formal protest.

I expect fans with strong feelings about Bruce's inclusion will make their voices heard - they do speak as one....no thanks to Bruce.

What I am getting at is an online poll maybe, and flagging the will of the supporters, and their valid reasons, up to a friendly mainstream media outlet prior to the guy actually appearing in your shirt. I mean, if the only articulation of this will be the booing of a guy out there playing for you, N.I. fans are going to end up looking pretty bad, again.

It might also send a message to Worthington, and how he is managing your side.

But either way, its all going to be entertaining to watch unfold.

[DannyInvincible]

What I am getting at is an online poll maybe, and flagging the will of the supporters, and their valid reasons, up to a friendly mainstream media outlet prior to the guy actually appearing in your shirt. I mean, if the only articulation of this will be the booing of a guy out there playing for you, N.I. fans are going to end up looking pretty bad, again.

It might also send a message to Worthington, and how he is managing your side.

But either way, its all going to be entertaining to watch unfold.

For a minute there, I almost thought you were concerned. Then I read the last line. :)