Potentially eligible players thread

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Shock, horror.

[DannyInvincible]

He does say QPR were his family's undoubted priority, but I'm not quite sure it's fair on Gallen to say he had no sentiment for Ireland considering the following statements:


[Brian Kerr] came to watch us play and I got a letter back from his secretary saying that he wanted to meet up with me and have a chat. I was getting married in Dublin and told them what week I would be over, but nobody ever got back to me.

It was disappointing because of all the stick I’d taken from everyone, I now had an opportunity to play for Ireland and it never happened.

...

I don’t agree with calling up players who have never even been to the country. You are just giving lads a game.

My parents are Irish and my family is Irish, I think I can justifiably say that I could have played for Ireland.

My Ireland is not Dublin, it is Mayo and Donegal where my parents are from – farm life, out in the country, listening to Irish music in pubs and stuff like that.

When I hear people who have never been to Ireland in their lives, haven’t been brought up in any cultural Irish background, where your parents have left the country, but they take you back for the six week holiday and stuff like that, I do think you are stretching it a little bit too far.

Maybe that old style Ireland is going. There’s still a lot of my friends I went to school with who have Irish parents and will go back still every summer, but I do think that is changing with the next generation.

...

I’m not really the biggest fan of international football. I think the days when Jackie Charlton was in charge were exciting, but now I watched England in the last World Cup and they were disappointing, I watched Ireland in the European Championships and that was just so disappointing.

When international week comes up now I’m devastated. At the 1994 World Cup, we were all in America so we went to the Ireland v Mexico game in Orlando. Three months later I made my debut in the QPR first team.

[SkStu]

Gallen 100% wanted to play for Ireland back in the day whatever revisionism is being painted now.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I would say 33⅓%.

[Charlie Darwin]

He'd have given it 110%, no doubt. 100% 110%.

[SkStu]

Gallen only went with England because of relentless and inappropriate pressure from his club captain at the time. (every few years the Gallen story comes up :) ). His bros were not subjected to the same scrutiny as they weren't in the first team at the time.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I don't know about the veracity of that, and I think one of the men involved is deceased now, so I probably never will. I think players need to take a bit more responsibility themselves. Gallen is no shrinking violet. I'd say he is more than capable of making the decision for himself.

According to lore, Kilbane faced the same pressures and stood up to them.

[SkStu]

Not everyone is made with the same mental fortitude TOWK.

The story is true, you will just have to trust me on that.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I didn't know you played for QPR.

[SkStu]

I didn't know that a professional playing career was necessary in order for stories to be believed.

Journalists of the world, take note of the new standard.

[DannyInvincible]

He'd have given it 110%, no doubt. 100% 110%.

'The Science Of, If Anything, Hitting The Ball Almost TOO Well': http://angleofpostandbar.blogspot.co.uk/2007/02/science-of-if-anything-hitting-ball-too.html

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Mohan defends Ireland's pursuit of English born players.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/tom-mohan-defends-irelands-granny-rule-policy-325632.html (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/tom-mohan-defends-irelands-granny-rule-policy-325632.html)

What the hell are English journalists complaining about? When, in the last 20 years, have England ever lost a player to Ireland that they actually would have wanted?

[Charlie Darwin]

Phil Babb was probably the last actually, just over 20 years ago.

[tetsujin1979]

Is there a list of English-born players who have declared for Ireland in the last twenty years?

[Yard of Pace]

When, in the last 20 years, have England ever lost a player to Ireland that they actually would have wanted?

Terry Dixon?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Terry Dixon?

Has he retired yet?

[tetsujin1979]

Mohan defends Ireland's pursuit of English born players.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/tom-mohan-defends-irelands-granny-rule-policy-325632.html (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/tom-mohan-defends-irelands-granny-rule-policy-325632.html)

What the hell are English journalists complaining about? When, in the last 20 years, have England ever lost a player to Ireland that they actually would have wanted?
Ciaran Clark, captained the England U19 side.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

IDK about Clark now. I think there may have been a break of between 1-2 years between him last getting capped at U-19 by England and throwing in with Ireland. Either way, I think - while he has cemented himself as a Premier League performer - he would not have gained England recognition. A lot of Villa fans were writing him off early this season before injuries and steady performances won him back his place in the team.

I would say Babb & Clark would be top of the list though. Babb's best days were before my time so I couldn't say if he would have got capped by England.

But if Andy Sinton and Carlton Palmer could...

[Irish_Praha]

More than 20 years ago but what about John Aldridge? He would have been a least a regular squad player if not starter.
He probably would have scored more goals for them than he did for us as well.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

How did people tell Aldridge & Rush apart?

[zero]

liam feeney playing tonight for bolton. slightly surprised he never got a look in with either irish side (unless wiki is mistaken!) as he qualifies for both.

[TrapAPony]

Feeney is not good enough tbh.

[Eminence Grise]

How did people tell Aldridge & Rush apart?

Well, for a while one was in England and the other in Italy.

[TrapAPony]

Think that Callum Wilson of Bournemouth would be an excellent addition if we could get him to declare. Any time I have seen him he works his socks off as a lone striker and has a very good goal ratio.

[SkStu]

was just thinking the same thing Trap.

Also, Rush and Aldridge were only distinguishable due to Rush's slightly longer neck.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/ba/58/76ba588e2dda736328945e3adeb2e17b.jpg

[Crosby87]

Is there an actual candy company named candy or are they just advocating for Candy in general? Or are they trying to simply lure young boys with the shirts? Or was it an ironically named company that sold something completely different?

[The Fly]

Is there an actual candy company named candy or are they just advocating for Candy in general? Or are they trying to simply lure young boys with the shirts? Or was it an ironically named company that sold something completely different?

It's an Italian company that sells domestic appliances.

I remember a lot of people having Candy washing machines.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32447317

Scott Hogan's injury hell continues with fresh injury setback.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/575467/Gavin-Whyte-Celtic-trial

Gavin Whyte on trial with Celtic. Who knows?

[samhaydenjr]

Elvis Costello is on the move: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32751109

[Stuttgart88]

I think it's an absolute disgrace the way some English hacks can offer a balanced opinion on a certain young Villain, and show an appreciation of the issues at hand. Can we have some more ignorant black versus white jingoism instead please? This is Tory Britain again after all.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/16/aston-villa-jack-grealish-roy-keane-ireland-england

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I don't know if it's the best idea bringing up that subject within 24 hours of the other thread being locked TBCH.

[TrapAPony]

I don't know if it's the best idea bringing up that subject within 24 hours of the other thread being locked TBCH.

Don't see why it should have been locked tbh considering it is quite a popular thread. The whole idea of a forum like this is to debate.

[DannyInvincible]

I think it's an absolute disgrace the way some English hacks can offer a balanced opinion on a certain young Villain, and show an appreciation of the issues at hand. Can we have some more ignorant black versus white jingoism instead please? This is Tory Britain again after all.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/16/aston-villa-jack-grealish-roy-keane-ireland-england

Roy's comments on Holland are unfair. Singing 'God Save the Queen' as a symbol of English national pride doesn't have to be seen as negating Holland's shared sense of Irishness, nor is it necessarily anti-Irish. It doesn't have to be interpreted as some sort of literal or jingoistic tribute to every misdeed the British Crown might ever have committed.

[The Fly]

Don't see why it should have been locked tbh considering it is quite a popular thread. The whole idea of a forum like this is to debate.

I agree, and think that thread bans for particular posters are more appropriate. I would've gladly given Doc the boot for comments he made about certain individuals for example.

[DannyInvincible]

On the assumption that it had been my post was the straw that broke the camel's back, I stated my opinion here (http://foot.ie/threads/117811-David-Forde?p=1819315&viewfull=1#post1819315) on this already, but, to re-iterate, because I do think this important and I feel there would be broad consensus there, I also strongly agree with both Fly and Trap. I appreciate tets has a difficult job in balancing various and competing forum standards and poster expectations.

If a compromise or even consensus-driven decision to the general benefit means I have to miss out, so be it - ban me from the thread and I can live with that - but it's the hottest topic in Irish international football right now (whether we like it or not), so it rightly should and needs to be discussed by this forum; I wouldn't like to think I've been a factor in preventing others from discussing it.

The topic's divisive and contentious nature is something that will inevitably draw strong, conflicting arguments as it goes to the very core of what international football means for some people. Maybe it's worth acknowledging that rather than shutting down discussion when things get touchy, but that's not my call; just putting forward a voice. The ambiguity also allows for a lot of this polarisation along with further knee-jerk speculation, unfortunately. I took the bait after a deliberate period of non-engagement ranging from zero to the superficial, but that's nobody else's fault.

For what it's worth, I had no particular problem with the presence of discourtesy expressed and directed towards me by one or two posters. I wouldn't throw toys out of the pram over something so daft or inconsequential and am always more than happy to thrash out an argument or defence rather than stifling discussion. I suppose, the seemingly-inevitable snag is that engagement in some of those arguments eventually degenerates into a truly mind-boggling but seemingly necessary explanation of the basic rules of logic and often an interrogation into the perplexing ways of thinking evident, because you simply have to wonder what the motive behind it all is. Couldn't we make an adherence to the laws of logic part of the rules here? :o

[DannyInvincible]

By the way, I don't suppose anyone would have a scan of a piece I'm told Samuel Martin wrote in the 'Sunday World' yesterday (does he write for them too?) on his fear that dual national players and their agents are going to start using international football and nations as if they were clubs all of a sudden? Sounds like a repeat of the nonsense he was peddling a few weeks ago.

Some players have always had a mercenary attitude, like Jermaine Pennant perhaps, but we've never selected him. People, unfairly I think, said similar of Clinton Morrison, but he showed up and grew into his Irishness, so to speak. Identity can be a journey rather than something static from birth. He's now immensely proud that that side of his identity was realised or reached fruition. Associations will never have to select players they feel aren't taking the thing seriously though. It's not as if there's been any recent rule-change that would suddenly motivate a change in player and agent behaviour anyway. The present rules have been in place for a while now and players and their agents have always been free to weigh up their options, with associations appealing to them, as they see fit. That's what choice is all about and nobody - neither association nor player - is being compelled into doing something they don't want to.

[Fixer82]

I'm sure it's been posted before but I can't sit here scrolling through pages.
Does Nathan Redmond qualify?
I was watching the Ipswich V Norwich game and thought he looked decent. (although I can't see Norwich doing well in the PL, should they achieve promotion, with that team)

[CraftyToePoke]

MON did mention him early in his time as manager as a possible, I think but nothing definite or much since.

[DannyInvincible]

I'm sure it's been posted before but I can't sit here scrolling through pages.
Does Nathan Redmond qualify?
I was watching the Ipswich V Norwich game and thought he looked decent. (although I can't see Norwich doing well in the PL, should they achieve promotion, with that team)

He's definitely eligible through at least one if not both of his mother's parents from Dublin. He's been with the England under-21s of late, hasn't he, or is he passed that age now?

[TrapAPony]

He's definitely eligible through at least one if not both of his mother's parents from Dublin. He's been with the England under-21s of late, hasn't he, or is he passed that age now?
Still under 21 for England & will be going to their U21 Tournament. He's definitely eligible for us. I remember reading a tweet from his mother one time that the Irish in her would love him to play for Ireland but doesn't think it will happen any time soon.

[DannyInvincible]

Still under 21 for England & will be going to their U21 Tournament. He's definitely eligible for us. I remember reading a tweet from his mother one time that the Irish in her would love him to play for Ireland but doesn't think it will happen any time soon.

Aye, I'm pretty sure I once quoted that in this thread actually. Will have a look for it.

[DannyInvincible]

This exchange wasn't the one I was referring to but it confirms his eligibility and that he has chosen to represent England: https://twitter.com/michredz2510/status/535117535155613696

Whether that means he'd be closed to possibility of representing Ireland, I'm not sure.

[Charlie Darwin]

He has a brother named Niall according to his mother. No idea if he can play football but with a name like that we should be calling him up.

[TrapAPony]

Should go and get Callum Wilson and Connor Wickham now. Neither are included in the England U21 provisional squad for the U21 Euros despite being available. Battle between Afobe & Bamford for the 4th striker as Kane, Berahino & Ings are ahead of them. If Bamford was smart he'd declare for us. He's way off the English senior squad with Kane, Berahino, Ings, Rooney, Sterling, Walcott, Welbeck, Sturridge, Austin, Carroll & Rodriguez ahead of him as it is.

[DeLorean]

I got the impression from that interview with Bamford recently that he is very open to the idea. He seems to be genuinely hoping for an opportunity at Chelsea though which would probably lead to England recognition. It seems far fetched though, the Chelsea bit anyway but he could still be playing PL football elsewhere which would put him on the map, so to speak. When you say about the battle between himself and Afobe, do you mean to make the final squad? It's just Bammy seems to think he's in. (http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/chelsea/patrick_bamford_reveals_future_hopes_and_talks_wit h_chelsea_as_southampton_and_newcastle_hover_1_407 6681)


After this [play-offs], I’m concentrating on the Euros with England so I think by the time I’m back from the Euros I can sit down with Chelsea and see what’s happening.

[Olé Olé]

Should go and get Callum Wilson and Connor Wickham now. Neither are included in the England U21 provisional squad for the U21 Euros. Battle between Afobe & Bamford for the 4th striker as Kane, Berahino & Ings are ahead of them. If Bamford was smart he'd declare for us. He's way off the English senior squad.

I don't think Wickham has any interest in us. With a father born in the North who fought in the British army, I'd imagine his allegiances would lie with Northern Ireland.

As regards Bamford, he's known to have an education and is smart- hence why he hasn't ruled out playing for us. He's one of these dual-nationals who recognises both his Irish and English identities as he is reminded of the Irish arm on his maternal side of the family (i.e. Ireland-supporting uncles). But, I think, at present he's happy to represent England and if the senior opportunity with them presents itself, he'll avail. If it doesn't present itself in the next few years (i.e. if he can establish himself in the PL and the call doesn't come) then I think he'll switch. I could be wrong but I don't envisage Bamford playing for us in the near future unless he forecasts the English door not opening.

Of course, some are comfortable with that and some aren't. I'm comfortable with it from the perspective that he's a dual-national who seems to be aware of his dual-identity and, consequently, wouldn't apply the term 'mercenary' to him.

[TrapAPony]

When you say about the battle between himself and Afobe, do you mean to make the final squad? It's just Bammy seems to think he's in. (http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/chelsea/patrick_bamford_reveals_future_hopes_and_talks_wit h_chelsea_as_southampton_and_newcastle_hover_1_407 6681)

Don't know how he thinks he's definitely in when the squad is still to be further reduced from 27 to 23 with 2 more strikers to be cut from the 6 named. In any case he still seems a long way off the England Senior squad.


He seems to be genuinely hoping for an opportunity at Chelsea though which would probably lead to England recognition.

There is another young striker at Chelsea by the name of Dominic Solanke who Mourinho has great time for & has put him on the bench many times this season. Solanke is only 17 but seems to be ahead of Bamford in Mourinhos 's thinking. Bamford is definitely good enough for the Premiership though.


I don't think Wickham has any interest in us. With a father born in the North who fought in the British army, I'd imagine his allegiances would lie with Northern Ireland.


Ya, I wouldn't cry if he didn't play for us tbh. Just mentioned him as he was someone with supposed ability at one stage. Seems a lazy sod on the pitch, likes the party lifestyle & his heading ability for a tall lad is quite average.

[DeLorean]

Confident lad!

[TrapAPony]

I'm posting this here as there is no reason for the other thread to be locked but..


But there will be no place for Villa's teenage sensation Jack Grealish, who has already represented the Republic at Under-21 level but was born in Solihull.
(http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/443398/Charlie-Austin-Tom-Cleverley-Roy-Hodgson-England)It is understood he has let it be known to Hodgson he will make himself available for the next Three Lions' squad, for the qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland in September.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/443398/Charlie-Austin-Tom-Cleverley-Roy-Hodgson-England