Anthony Pilkington M Fleetwood Twn b.1988

[Eminence Grise]

...ambulance, more like!

And have the resus team on standby for our collective puns!

[dr_peepee]

As things stand he's just another "good player but in a midfield of 5" option. He's closer to Liam Miller than Andy Townsend so I wouldn't be getting carried away. I doubt trap would find room for him in the short to medium term. I'm pinning my hopes on Meyler stringing a good run of games in the latter two thirds of the season. He's currently the best outside bet option to improve Trapp central midfield model.

[Murfinator]

To illustrate this is the kind of thing I detest in internationals and what I'd gravely like to avoid at any cost with ourselves.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15592408.stm

Kevin Prince Boateng is essentially a german guy who wasn't good enough to play for Germany (he's brother is even a german international, and Kevin represented Germany at under 15, under 16, under 19 and under 21 levels.). When this was apparent and his stock from the hottest young talent in the Bundersliga declined to Spurs reserve and then a relegated Portsmoth has been he was surely about ready to give up on that and jumped at the chance of representing Ghana at the World Cup. A move purely engineered to get himself noticed on the biggest stage in that competition. It worked and he moved to AC Milan afterwards where he's reignited his career.

And now guess what happens? He's retiring from Ghana at the age of 24. ....24.

So yes I'm cynical because that kind of wavering loyalty from foreign based players sets a bad precedent, holds back players who'd love to play for their country and embarrasses the nation when stories like this emerge.

[IsMiseSean]

Canaries midfielder Pilkington focussing on Norwich City. (http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/canaries_midfielder_pilkington_focussing_on_norwic h_city_1_1113641)

Since he's 23, I can't help thinking that maybe he was one eye on representing GB in the Olympics and we're the fall back option...

Lets just say he were to play in the Olympics for GB could he then go on to still represent us afterwards? Since he wouldn't be capped by any of the home nations.

[Irwin3]

To illustrate this is the kind of thing I detest in internationals and what I'd gravely like to avoid at any cost with ourselves.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15592408.stm

Kevin Prince Boateng is essentially a german guy who wasn't good enough to play for Germany (he's brother is even a german international, and Kevin represented Germany at under 15, under 16, under 19 and under 21 levels.). When this was apparent and his stock from the hottest young talent in the Bundersliga declined to Spurs reserve and then a relegated Portsmoth has been he was surely about ready to give up on that and jumped at the chance of representing Ghana at the World Cup. A move purely engineered to get himself noticed on the biggest stage in that competition. It worked and he moved to AC Milan afterwards where he's reignited his career.

And now guess what happens? He's retiring from Ghana at the age of 24. ....24.

So yes I'm cynical because that kind of wavering loyalty from foreign based players sets a bad precedent, holds back players who'd love to play for their country and embarrasses the nation when stories like this emerge.

Stephen Ireland.

Kevin Kilbane.

Andy Townsend.

So your solution is to only pick Irish born players with 100% Irish blood?

[paul_oshea]

Murf you love rugby but do you ignore this scenario for rugby?i gather you do cos there is no way you could watch it with the likes of the "countries" that represented the teams at the world cup gone by.

Id never watch the rugby if it bothered me that much.

[Murfinator]

Stephen Ireland.

Kevin Kilbane.

Andy Townsend.

So your solution is to only pick Irish born players with 100% Irish blood?

Proving things by extreme examples always works well, yes. *eye roll*

All I ask for is commitment that our selected players identify Ireland as their homeland without hesitation or reservation. Which is not too much to ask and they've no business representing this country if they can't do this.

Paul, I don't know what scenario you're referring to. 28 out of the 30-man world cup squad were born and bred in Ireland. The remaining 2 qualify through grandparents (Issac Boss and Tom Court), both have lived and worked here for the past 6 years. Which is a somewhat different scenario to the englishman unaware of his Irish heritage, living and working in England and who may or may not have ever even been to Ireland.
If some guy playing for the Toulouse reserves decided he wasn't getting anywhere with France and made himself available to Ireland through his grandmother's birthplace who he only found out about last week then I'd have the exact same reservation.

[Irwin3]

Proving things by extreme examples always works well, yes. *eye roll*

All I ask for is commitment that our selected players identify Ireland as their homeland without hesitation or reservation. Which is not too much to ask and they've no business representing this country if they can't do this.

Paul, I don't know what scenario you're referring to. 28 out of the 30-man world cup squad were born and bred in Ireland. The remaining 2 qualify through grandparents (Issac Boss and Tom Court), both have lived and worked here for the past 6 years. Which is a somewhat different scenario to the englishman unaware of his Irish heritage, living and working in England and who may or may not have ever even been to Ireland.
If some guy playing for the Toulouse reserves decided he wasn't getting anywhere with France and made himself available to Ireland through his grandmother's birthplace who he only found out about last week then I'd have the exact same reservation.

Like your KPB example?

So people with split allegiances are out of the running for a place in your squads? How do you enforce your above criteria? Some kind of exam? Get a mind reader in?

As far as I'm concerned, if someone is eligible and declares then they win and maintain their place in the squad on footballing merit.

[Supreme feet]

Murf, I think POS was referring to the mercenary aspect which is endemic in international rugby as a whole. England have a number of 'poaches' such as Hartley and Tuilagi. You can find plenty of Australian, NZ and SA-born players playing for second tier countries like Japan, Italy and Canada. Even SA have the odd Namibian or Zimbabwe-born player (Mtawarira, for example), while the All Blacks have been accused of 'poaching' players from the Pacific Island nations for years. Irish rugby is relatively 'clean' in that regard, but then, a lot of our rugby players come from more privileged family backgrounds, where emigration isn't so common.

Having said that, I would prefer our English-born players to have declared at the first opportunity, and I'd agree on that point - the likes of McGeady, McCarthy, Foley and Walters all played underage for us and never hesitated to answer the call. Late bloomers like Lawrence and St. Ledger both jumped at the chance to play for us and have been very committed. On the other hand, players like Jon Macken and Paul Butler never really passed the 'gut test'; it took me a while to warm to Clinton Morrison, and the idea of someone like Jermaine Pennant or Mark Noble playing for Ireland would leave me feeling a little bit disillusioned. We have to draw the line somewhere.

I'd put Pilkington slightly closer to Lawrence's situation than Pennant's, in that international football was simply not a consideration for him when he was playing in the lower leagues. My 'gut' says that I'd rather see Coleman or Robbie Brady blooded on the right wing.

[Irwin3]

I wondered a while back about what Pilkington's situation was. He played one game for the U'21s in 2008 and then wasn't seen again. Was it a self-imposed exile or did the management deem him to be not up to standard? Maybe his past rejection has made him hesistant to make a public declaration and to keep his options open?

[TrapAPony]

Late bloomers like Lawrence and St. Ledger both jumped at the chance to play for us and have been very committed. On the other hand, players like Jon Macken and Paul Butler never really passed the 'gut test'; it took me a while to warm to Clinton Morrison, and the idea of someone like Jermaine Pennant or Mark Noble playing for Ireland would leave me feeling a little bit disillusioned. We have to draw the line somewhere.

Can never understand this ''gut test'' myself. If you have an Irish grandparent then you are eligible to play for Ireland no matter who you are. I personally don't care who we cap as long as they have something to offer us.

[SkStu]

I used to care but then I got a life.

[theworm2345]

Just beat Shay with a wonderful free kick

[eighties mullet]

great performance again today he has to get a senior call up asap

[shakermaker1982]

Murf - don't forget O'Gara. He was born in California....

[tetsujin1979]

And Heaslip was born in Israel

[Deckydee]

Frankie Sheahan - Canada

Malcolm O'Kelly & Simon Easterby - England

Brendan Mullin - Jerusalem

[Sullivinho]

Roy Keane - Cork

Denis Irwin - Cork

[Paddy Garcia]

Paul McGrath - London
David O'Leary - London
Stephen Ireland - Cork

This could go on for ages, and all to no good end and totally meaningless.

More importantly why would we not give a chance to a player currently staring in the Premiership. Must be the strength of depth in our midfield!

[youngirish]

More importantly why would we not give a chance to a player currently staring in the Premiership. Must be the strength of depth in our midfield!
Probably because they're not Irish and the team is called Ireland. The clue is in the name.

[the bear]

Probably because they're not Irish and the team is called Ireland. The clue is in the name.

maybe we could look into changing the name?

[Paddy Garcia]

Probably because they're not Irish and the team is called Ireland. The clue is in the name.

Ah I see - must go and look for the Post of the Month thread to nominate this insight.

[brine3]

Jesus, Ireland has suffered from emigration for centuries. It means that we have an overseas pool of players who are proud to pull on the green jersey and represent their homeland. Other football teams would kill for such a resource.

I myself have not lived in Ireland since 1986. Probably since before some of the whingers on this thread were born.

Sure, it would be great if we could turn back the clock and undo everything that caused emigration. There'd be 30 million people living in Ireland. We'd have four Richard Dunnes and five Damien Duffs.

Limiting the current Irish team only to those that are born and bred on the island of Ireland is like punishing ourselves twice over for emigration.

And so what if some of them are confused about where their allegiance lies. If they have an English father and an Irish mother then of course they are going to feel torn. It's only natural. It's all a part of being en emigrant. It's why Mark Lawrenson says "we" when talking about either Ireland and England. I never had a problem with that. But some little-Irelanders do.

[ifk101]

The issue isn't place of birth. So can we give the emigration rambling a rest?

Pilkington and his club were not aware of his eligibility to represent Ireland prior to his call up for a U21 friendly. Given this and that he subsequently was never selected again for U21s, it calls into question whether he is actually eligible to play for us.

[Irwin3]

Lol. How about laying off the wild speculation? That post is classic conspiracy theorist stuff.

His wiki says he qualifies through his paternal grandmother (unsourced). Maybe you know better, ifk101?

Other sources state his grandmother is from Dublin.
http://irishnewsreview.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/canaries-trio-in-line-for-ireland-call/

I wouldn't put it past a footballer from not knowing the eligiblilty criteria. Tradtionally they are not the smartest bunch.

[ifk101]

Lol. How about laying off the wild speculation? That post is classic conspiracy theorist stuff.

His wiki says he qualifies through his paternal grandmother (unsourced). Maybe you know better, ifk101?

I know the FAI have fielded players with zero connection to Ireland in the past.


Other sources state his grandmother is from Dublin.
http ://irishnewsreview.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/canaries-trio-in-line-for-ireland-call/

Ah yes the FAI discovered an Irish granny that Pilkington had no previous awareness of. :)


I wouldn't put it past a footballer from not knowing the eligiblilty criteria. Tradtionally they are not the smartest bunch.

Now, now .....

[Jaysus]

Was he adopted or something? I can't imagine not knowing where my grandmother is from lol

[paul_oshea]

Supreme/sulvinho got what i was getting at. Japan had 10 or 11 players born abroad I think, rugby is a joke.3 year rule or whatver lo

Court was also born abroad, 3 players from the squad.

Look there has been loads of rugby players, and mercenaries throughout, from australia, nz, south africa etc in the past, people probably have forgotten ones like OCuinneagain.

Gleeson was born in ireland but left at 4.
Mike Mullins
OCuinneagain (English mother god forbid but thats alright cos he has a proper sounding irish name i suppose murf?)
Brendan mullin also born in jeuresalem. And these are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there have been many more.

The difference is the rugby players parents had enough money and were priviliged enough to come home and there kids grew up in ireland, thats the only difference to making them any "more" irish. It doesn't make kilbane any less irish etc.


Here is a nice "watered" down list of the "countries" and the teams(and yes again i meant to "misplace" the words like this) they represent at the RWC 2011 -> http://www.superrugbytips.com/2011/09/rugby-world-cup-2011-players-born-other.html

[brine3]

Maybe Pilkington has one of Stephen Ireland's grannies?

What really gets on my nerves as far as mercenaries go are the rich football leagues benefiting from players qualifying for the country through residence. Like Deco for Portugal and Marcos Senna for Spain. Like Spain doesn't have enough of a footballing advantage already.

Maybe we can all chip in and get Cork City to sign some 16 year old Brazilians, who will qualify for permanent Irish residence inf five years from now.

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe we can all chip in and get Cork City to sign some BraziliansThere's a barber shop in Kensal Rise (NW10) called Gee Barber. I joked to my wife that that's where to go to get a Brazilian. She's English, so didn't get it.

Photo of said shop here (http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1183/132956.php).

[Irwin3]

I know the FAI have fielded players with zero connection to Ireland in the past.



Ah yes the FAI discovered an Irish granny that Pilkington had no previous awareness of. :)



Now, now .....

Enlighten me please. I've heard this before but can't think of an example.

Are you trying to be funny? (Yes I see the smilie) He didn't know he was eligible. Barring some kind of family rift I'm sure he knew where his nan was from. Unless maybe she died young or something.

[tetsujin1979]

Enlighten me please. I've heard this before but can't think of an example.

Are you trying to be funny? (Yes I see the smilie) He didn't know he was eligible. Barring some kind of family rift I'm sure he knew where his nan was from. Unless maybe she died young or something.Julian Kelly of Reading, James Wallace of Everton and Anthony Gerrard have all lined out for underage sides, and later found not to qualify

[Irwin3]

Didn't the latest on Gerrard say he was eligible.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6900147,00.html

[tetsujin1979]

Gerrard's a strange one, he played, then wasn't sure if he was eligible or not so didn't feature again, and now apparently he is

[The Legend]

Maybe we can all chip in and get Cork City to sign some 16 year old Brazilians, who will qualify for permanent Irish residence inf five years from now.

Ha, so they can turn around later and refuse to play for us?

[Yard of Pace]

Ha, so they can turn around later and refuse to play for us?

I can imagine it now....

"Você foi um jogador de merda, você é um gerente de merda, a única razão de eu ter qualquer relacionamento com você é que de alguma forma você é gerente do meu país e você não está mesmo irlandesa, você Inglês c ** t."

[paul_oshea]

I often wondered how that is spelt, is that the correct way stutts?

Like dip your ring in this, i never got that one either.

[tricky_colour]

Jesus, Ireland has suffered from emigration for centuries. It means that we have an overseas pool of players who are proud to pull on the green jersey and represent their homeland. Other football teams would kill for such a resource.

I myself have not lived in Ireland since 1986. Probably since before some of the whingers on this thread were born.

Sure, it would be great if we could turn back the clock and undo everything that caused emigration. There'd be 30 million people living in Ireland. We'd have four Richard Dunnes and five Damien Duffs.

Limiting the current Irish team only to those that are born and bred on the island of Ireland is like punishing ourselves twice over for emigration.

And so what if some of them are confused about where their allegiance lies. If they have an English father and an Irish mother then of course they are going to feel torn. It's only natural. It's all a part of being en emigrant. It's why Mark Lawrenson says "we" when talking about either Ireland and England. I never had a problem with that. But some little-Irelanders do.

So in an Ireland v England match he could say "We are wining and we are losing" !!

[tricky_colour]

Maybe Pilkington has one of Stephen Ireland's grannies?

What really gets on my nerves as far as mercenaries go are the rich football leagues benefiting from players qualifying for the country through residence. Like Deco for Portugal and Marcos Senna for Spain. Like Spain doesn't have enough of a footballing advantage already.

Maybe we can all chip in and get Cork City to sign some 16 year old Brazilians, who will qualify for permanent Irish residence inf five years from now.

How much would we need to raise?

[Jaysus]

On the bench of Sky's team of the season so far.

[Razors left peg]

Since he's 23, I can't help thinking that maybe he was one eye on representing GB in the Olympics and we're the fall back option...

Lets just say he were to play in the Olympics for GB could he then go on to still represent us afterwards? Since he wouldn't be capped by any of the home nations.

Good question,anyone know the answer to that??

[Murfinator]

I'd imagine it wouldn't tie him to anything although I can't imagine the FAI committing PR suicide and attempting to coax someone who'd represented Britain internationally at senior level to play for Ireland.

[mark12345]

So in an Ireland v England match he could say "We are wining and we are losing" !!

BRINE 3 has made the best point on the subject seen here in years. Pity it falls on such deaf ears.

[TrapAPony]

http://c0014019.r32.cf1.rackcdn.com/x2_90736cc

Top left jersey on the wall in the Pilkington household. Is that a treasured Irish jersey I see or is it my imagination?
http://lockerz.com/s/151467724

[Closed Account]

Top left jersey on the wall in the Pilkington household. Is that a treasured Irish jersey I see or is it my imagination?
http://lockerz.com/s/151467724

But is that a Union Jack on the cue...... ;)

[Stuttgart88]

But is that a Union Jack on the cue...... ;)


Right on cue.


No, not right on cue.


I predicted it, hence right on cue.

........

[tricky_colour]

BRINE 3 has made the best point on the subject seen here in years. Pity it falls on such deaf ears.

Pity you can't be bothered to say what it was.

[Stuttgart88]

Mute comments and deaf ears, not a good combination

[tricky_colour]

http://c0014019.r32.cf1.rackcdn.com/x2_90736cc

Top left jersey on the wall in the Pilkington household. Is that a treasured Irish jersey I see or is it my imagination?
http://lockerz.com/s/151467724

It is very similar to the one.

http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/international/republic-ireland/images/ireland-2008-2009-change.gif

Perhaps not exactly the same but I would say it certainly is an Ireland shirt hard to say what else it could be.

This seems to be it

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/um/umbro-07-09-ireland-away-shirt.gif

[theworm2345]

Nice goal there by Pilkington to equalize for Norwich. Picked it up about 30 yards out, cut across the center of the pitch before unleashing a low drive from 25 yards out with his left foot in to the bottom of the keeper's left hand post.