The Kevin Nolan saga

[Cowboy]

When did he say that?? I actually can't recall him ever saying he wanted to play for Ireland.

It was just after the rule change and sky sports news were doing a piece on it talking to players who were eligible .

[Cowboy]

As has been mentioned already, Nolan is not eligible. Once you have played for another country at any level you are stuck with them. There was a window for the year of 2004 which allowed players change but thats over.

I dont believe thats strictly true, when the rule was changed there was an amnesty for players who played for another country before they were 25 now I believe this age is set at 21 after the deadline. AFAIK and i'm open to correction only senior level competitive caps now tie you to a country.

[tetsujin1979]

It was just after the rule change and sky sports news were doing a piece on it talking to players who were eligible .
You sure about that? According this article on eleven-a-side.com - http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/story.asp?newsid=9747 - his preference was for England.

[Cowboy]

You sure about that? According this article on eleven-a-side.com - http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/story.asp?newsid=9747 - his preference was for England.

Yes I'm positive, I agree his preference was for the main england as I recall Mc Carthy tried to recruit him too but he perhaps he had a short lived change of heart for career reasons. I agree with the other posters here that once he chose england u21's thats the end of it.

[Stuttgart88]

To continue the theme, but different player: Neil Kilkenny.

1. What exactly happened?
2. Has he actually gone on to represent England yet?
3. Should we try to get him back?

[CraftyToePoke]

i dont remember the exact details but i was definately left with the impression that Nolans first choice was England and he was going to pursue that fully before considering the Ireland option.in a scenario like this i dont believe we could cap him (even if the rules allow it) without devaluing an irish cap.

while we are at it..does anyone know of any others who fall into this category? inbetweeners?

ive heard frannie 'foxinthebox' jeffers is one and marlon harewood/marlon king(cant remember which one) can anyone confirm these 2,or add any more?

[Stuttgart88]

Marlon King definitely tried but couldn't provide the evidence of appropriate ancestry. Then he got banged up for nicking a car!

[tetsujin1979]

I've heard frannie 'foxinthebox' jeffers is one and marlon harewood/marlon king(cant remember which one) can anyone confirm these 2,or add any more?
Francis Jeffers claimed he still qualified for Ireland because he only played friendly games at senior level, never a competitive.
IIRC Marlon King qualified because he claimed his biological mother is Irish (he's adopted) but could never produce the documentation about her to prove it.

[CraftyToePoke]

Francis Jeffers claimed he still qualified for Ireland because he only played friendly games at senior level, never a competitive.
IIRC Marlon King qualified because he claimed his biological mother is Irish (he's adopted) but could never produce the documentation about her to prove it.

and do you know jeffers link? how strong is it?

anyone know of any others?

[Cowboy]

i dont remember the exact details but i was definately left with the impression that Nolans first choice was England and he was going to pursue that fully before considering the Ireland option.in a scenario like this i dont believe we could cap him (even if the rules allow it) without devaluing an irish cap.

while we are at it..does anyone know of any others who fall into this category? inbetweeners?



I agree but we have already done that. Kevin Gallen is another that springs to mind that Brian kerr went to look at

[tetsujin1979]

and do you know jeffers link? how strong is it?

anyone know of any others?
According to this article - http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2001/02/16/current/ppage_7.htm - it's through his grandmother. It also lists few other players, I didn't know Adrian Deane qualified at all.

[Roverstillidie]

and do you know jeffers link? how strong is it?

anyone know of any others?

there are so many reasons why that waste of organs should never be seen in a green shirt.
and thats before i go down the rangers route

[Qwerty]

I didn't know Adrian Deane qualified at all.

Deane played for the U21s regularly before being released by Charlton and quickly nestling into obscurity's bosom before popping up and scoring a goal recently for Orient or Torquay or some other minnow, I'm sure obscurity will beckon again...

[The Legend]

Is there still a chance he might declare for ROI? or has he decided to stick with England?

[Irish_Praha]

I started a thread about him last week and it appears that as he has played for the English U-21 team he can't play for us. Recently there was an amnesty which allowed players to switch allegiance but it's too late for him now.

[CollegeTillIDie]

I started a thread about him last week and it appears that as he has played for the English U-21 team he can't play for us. Recently there was an amnesty which allowed players to switch allegiance but it's too late for him now.

Well like Kevin Gallen that's his international career over before it starts!:rolleyes:

[SeanieBoy]

The Kevin Nolan piece seems to be popping up again for some reason!!

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=325523&CPID=219&clid=&lid=2&title=Nolan+eyed+by+Irish

[dr_peepee]

Didn't think it was an option anymore...

[Reality Bites]

For chissake i'd snap your hand off for Kevin Nolan, he is a great player and we're not in a position to be picky, talent is on the barren side at the moment, a few outings in the green jersy and he'll be accepted as a paddy, hell if Tony Cascarino can!!! why can't someone with a name like Kevin Nolan.. A scouse from Liverpool (john Aldrige!!!)
If its true about Brian Kerr overlooking Nolan, this shows more off what a poor Manager Kerr really was (shortsighted to say the least)

[eirebhoy]

I'm suprised Sky Sports don't know this but that rule was only in for the calender year 2004. You have to be U-21 to change allegiance now as this will show:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4412024.stm

[Stuttgart88]

Daily Mail has the story too. Odd. Ill-informed?

[dr_peepee]

Did he actually play a competitive game for England at any level??

[CraftyToePoke]

i wouldnt be surprised if these 'leaks' were from his camp in order to ratchet up the pressure on england to cap him....again, thats all his irishness seems to mean to him, a tactic. he should be told once all for all where to go.and stay there.

[tetsujin1979]

If its true about Brian Kerr overlooking Nolan, this shows more off what a poor Manager Kerr really was (shortsighted to say the least)
Kerr approached Nolan to play for Ireland when he was managing the underage sides, and Nolan refused, saying he didn't feel Irish and wanted to play for England. Which is fair enough. I'd imagine that's got more to do with Kerr not approaching Nolan as senior manager than anything else

[dr_peepee]

From Wikipedia...

"Kevin Nolan has had a few calls ups to the England Under 21's but also has Irish links so could play for the Republic of Ireland or England at the full international level.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Nolan"

[eirebhoy]

He has 1 cap for the U21s. Don't know if it was competitive but does it have to be? I'd say he has played at least 1 competitive match at underage level for them.

[Cowboy]

i wouldnt be surprised if these 'leaks' were from his camp in order to ratchet up the pressure on england to cap him....again, thats all his irishness seems to mean to him, a tactic. he should be told once all for all where to go.and stay there.

Hear Hear, i dont care how good he is.

[sadloserkid]

Kerr approached Nolan to play for Ireland when he was managing the underage sides, and Nolan refused, saying he didn't feel Irish and wanted to play for England. Which is fair enough.

That's what I heard too. More power to him for not doing a Clinton 'Bling Bling' Morrisson on it.

[dr_peepee]

Spare me...... If the rest of the squad (with the odd obvious exception) was as committed and applied as Clinton Morrison we'd be going to Germany...

[sadloserkid]

Spare me...... If the rest of the squad (with the odd obvious exception) was as committed and applied as Clinton Morrison we'd be going to Germany...

I don't care how applied he is on the field, Clinton Morrison never had the slightest thought of being Irish until he realised that England were never going to cap him.

And as a player that you clearly rate so highly it must have amazed you to see the Premiership turning a blind eye to his availability when Birmingham decided he was surplus to requirements. :)

So he works hard. Big deal. I've seen any amount of journeymen players at every level under the sun, it doesn't make them any good and it doesn't make them Irish either.

[Tenderloins]

Was Nolan not on the bench for a youths match, Kerr asked him to get warmed up and he then refused saying he wasn't ready to declare for Ireland yet. Or something along those lines.

[Reality Bites]

Nolan linked with Ireland declaration


November 16, 2005

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Kevin Nolan has again been linked with an international career with the Republic of Ireland.

Nolan has been mentioned as a potential Irish international on several occasions in the past but nothing has yet been cast in stone.

He was reportedly keen to forge a career with his native England, but has continuously been overlooked by Sven Goran Eriksson.

The 23-year-old is in the form of his life at present, earning the captain’s armband at the Reebok Stadium and firing five league goals this season to lift the Trotters into the top three of the Premiership.

And media reports on Wednesday suggest that he could be offered the chance to play for Ireland, for whom he qualifies by dint of Fifa’s parentage rule.

from elevenaside.com

I would love to see him in the green

[drummerboy]

Think this is a ploy, probably started by his agent, to get him capped for England.

[Stuttgart88]

Well, if we had a November friendly we could have establlished his bona fides.

I'd like to have him on board, and Neil Kilkenny & Liam Lawrence.

I also think Trundle's claims are hard to ignore at the moment.

[dr_peepee]

Be carefull you don't fall off your soap box there SLK...

Yeah If only we had more true paddies like Gary Kelly and Stephen Carr abandoning the cause while playing at the top level at an age when they should still be at thair peak playing power.

You're entitled to your opinion on selection but for me it's what a player shows after he declares is the most important. The application of the like of MacAteer and Morrison should be the benchmark for commitment of international footbal players.

Rain hail or shine, regardless of playing or training conditionss, Freindly or otherwise they're ready to travel and play. Unlike some of the sons of Eirin that have grace our squad over the years. Don't attempt to cite McAteers antics in Saipan as being related to his nationallity either.

[dr_peepee]

Well, if we had a November friendly we could have establlished his bona fides.

I'd like to have him on board, and Neil Kilkenny & Liam Lawrence.

I also think Trundle's claims are hard to ignore at the moment.

Was Kilkenny ever an option for us???

[Stuttgart88]

I think Kilkenny was always an option for us until he "switched" to England recently. I think he may have played under age for us already, below U21 level. Must check...

[Armando]

Was Nolan not on the bench for a youths match, Kerr asked him to get warmed up and he then refused saying he wasn't ready to declare for Ireland yet. Or something along those lines.

That's ridiculous! Did you just make that up?

[colster]

it really annoys me the way people go on about 2nd/3rd generation players. The fact is that they have a right to play for us. They also have the right to choose between those countries they are elligible for. The fact that Nolan has stated a preference for England is not surprising. He was brought up there. Of course his ties to England would be strong. But he still has the right to choose Ireland. And if he does so and is selected he should be judged on his ability and performance.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Kilkenny was always an option for us until he "switched" to England recently. I think he may have played under age for us already, below U21 level. Must check...

Hmm, maybe not...:o

[eirebhoy]

Hmm, maybe not...:o
Here's a bit about him:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/story.asp?newsid=9579

I doubt he'll declare for us though.

[tetsujin1979]

According to this page - http://www.breakingnews.ie/2003/08/01/story108267.html - he was in the U-19 squad in 2003 to play Norway in 2 friendlies.
He didn't play in the first game, according to this match report - http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=7046 - but I can't find a match report for the second game

[Stuttgart88]

Thanks. Part vindication so!

PS: is Colin Doyle on the bench for Birmingham these days? I thought he started the season as sub goalie.

[garykelly]

I don't care how applied he is on the field, Clinton Morrison never had the slightest thought of being Irish until he realised that England were never going to cap him.

And as a player that you clearly rate so highly it must have amazed you to see the Premiership turning a blind eye to his availability when Birmingham decided he was surplus to requirements. :)

So he works hard. Big deal. I've seen any amount of journeymen players at every level under the sun, it doesn't make them any good and it doesn't make them Irish either.

Such a statement. suppose it didnt bother you when the policy of bringing in players like Aldridge, Mccarthy, Townsend, Cascarino, babb, mcateer, morris etc got us to the euro champs and world cup finals.

You cant just pick out one person like clinton morrision and criticise him. any player would rather play international football than not play it.

[dr_peepee]

Here's a bit about him:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/story.asp?newsid=9579

I doubt he'll declare for us though.

On the ball as always EB....

[Don Vito]

Hmm, maybe not...:o

Kilkenny is also in 4-4-2 this month saying he wants to play for England so I think we can forget about him.

[sadloserkid]

You're entitled to your opinion on selection but for me it's what a player shows after he declares is the most important. The application of the like of MacAteer and Morrison should be the benchmark for commitment of international footbal players.

I liked McAteer. Have quite a bit of contempt for the likes of Kelly and Carr too. But if you expect me to apologise for harbouring resentment towards players who declare for this country purely 100% to advance their career we're gonna fall out my friend. As far as I'm concerned Ireland means no more to Clinton Morrisson than Crystal Palace does (or indeed Birmingham City did). I think Morrison is over-rated by Irish fans anyway. He does a job for us and, as I've said in threads before, now that we have him I'm not suggesting that we cull him, but for me he's a mediocre footballer who's found his level in England's second tier and has delusions of grandeur above his station. And his application is all well and good now that he's tied to us but I've not forgotten his conveniant injury when first he was called up. I'm not suggesting that we pack him back from where we came at all but at the same time I think people should acknowledge that Clinton Morrison is a citizen of convenience. That's all. :D


You cant just pick out one person like clinton morrision and criticise him. any player would rather play international football than not play it.

I agree. In fact I'd love to play international football. However it looks unlikely that I'll ever reach that level with my country. However I haven't been desperately looking for American Samoan citizenship to bring that game to life. Nor would I. The whole idea of international football is about nations putting their best team together. Now maybe I'm some old before my time fogey who harks back to the days when international teams were full of players who actually considered themselves to be from the country they're representing but I can't help that. :) I take your point about the Houghton and Morris types from the golden era. The likes of Mick McCarthy and Phil Babb deserve better though, they were always aware of and took pride in their Irish roots. And of course I was a young, naive child back when all that occured and paid precious little attention to things like place of birth! :o

[geysir]

Yeah If only we had more true paddies like Gary Kelly and Stephen Carr abandoning the cause while playing at the top level at an age when they should still be at thair peak playing power.
Whatever about Stepher Carr but your reckless opinion on Kelly is way off the mark and its not as if it was a big secret nor such a long time ago. Kelly was 3rd choice, some years beyond his peak, injuries have taken a toll off him. Let his entire international career rest in peace. Too young for the 94WC past it for 2002WC

[thejollyrodger]

i seen the nolan rumors in the papers. Hopefuly Sven wont do the dirt and give him a full cap in the meantime. Kerr did make a few mistakes with him and S.Ireland.

[eirebhoy]

i seen the nolan rumors in the papers. Hopefuly Sven wont do the dirt and give him a full cap in the meantime. Kerr did make a few mistakes with him and S.Ireland.
He's not going to get pushed over by a couple of teenagers. Neither would Ferguson, Mourinho, Benitez, etc. That jobs left to Sven.