The Kevin Nolan saga

[Qwerty]

He has played for England at U21 level and is now over 21 so he cannot declare for us under current FIFA rules.

[CraftyToePoke]

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.

i strongly disagree with you there, he does indeed have the right but the mans constantly expressed england as his first choice,and as dissappointed as i was when i first heard this some years back, i thought 'good luck to him' but the way he has touted his 'irishness' since then has sickened me and i wouldnt want him within an asses roar of international honours for my country,because thats what its meant to be....an honour, and all it would be to Nolan is a consolation prize.

i have absolutely no problems with people playing for us who wernt born in ireland as long as they feel irish,Nolan does not. i believe each of these cases should be judged individually. i know children who come into my local over here wearing irish tops to whom you have to go back to their grandparents to hear an irish accent,but i would consider those little ones as irish as myself. on the other hand i also know lads with one irish accented parent who will happily wear an england top,and if thats how they feel,then good luck to them.......but dont come running to us if england dont want you.

i would even like to see the fai take it a step further by issuing a statement saying once you have been made aware of irelands willingness to consider capping you, if you play for Any other country from then, you will never be considered for international honours with us.

make these guys pin their colours to the mast early and stop devaliung the honour of representing us.i actually believe we would be pleasantly surprised by the results we would have from a move like this as it would prevent their clubs from pressurising them to keep multiple options open by telling them they can always play for ireland later on.

i believe the clubs do this as a player will be worth more on the market having england honours and also the academies are a big drain on resources and having a guy representing england at underage level will carry more weight, rightly or wrongly.

anyway,i think the days of having Townsend performing minor miracles in our midfield while england had to be content with Carlton Palmer, Geoff Thomas, Andy Sinton and the likes, are long gone, they are wise to it now and will do whatever is necessary to string lads along as has been done with Zat Knight and now with Nolan.


thats my 2 cents on it anyway boys and girls

[garykelly]

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



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


I agree with where your coming from on this. But unfortunately this is the route Ireland must take becuase we simply dont have the players to make up a squad so we'll have to root around for Irish linked players. I know when players openly say they want to play for say England and then end up playing for Ireland, it has a sort of diluting effect. I remember Ronnie Whelan saying Ireland should scour the planet for players of Irish heritage but this isnt the way to go. Unfortunately it could well be the case. Unless Irish football starts taking interest in actual and real development of players from the top down then this is the situation we're faced with.

[colster]

i strongly disagree with you there, he does indeed have the right but the mans constantly expressed england as his first choice,and as dissappointed as i was when i first heard this some years back, i thought 'good luck to him' but the way he has touted his 'irishness' since then has sickened me and i wouldnt want him within an asses roar of international honours for my country,because thats what its meant to be....an honour, and all it would be to Nolan is a consolation prize.

i have absolutely no problems with people playing for us who wernt born in ireland as long as they feel irish,Nolan does not. i believe each of these cases should be judged individually. i know children who come into my local over here wearing irish tops to whom you have to go back to their grandparents to hear an irish accent,but i would consider those little ones as irish as myself. on the other hand i also know lads with one irish accented parent who will happily wear an england top,and if thats how they feel,then good luck to them.......but dont come running to us if england dont want you.

i would even like to see the fai take it a step further by issuing a statement saying once you have been made aware of irelands willingness to consider capping you, if you play for Any other country from then, you will never be considered for international honours with us.

make these guys pin their colours to the mast early and stop devaliung the honour of representing us.i actually believe we would be pleasantly surprised by the results we would have from a move like this as it would prevent their clubs from pressurising them to keep multiple options open by telling them they can always play for ireland later on.

i believe the clubs do this as a player will be worth more on the market having england honours and also the academies are a big drain on resources and having a guy representing england at underage level will carry more weight, rightly or wrongly.

anyway,i think the days of having Townsend performing minor miracles in our midfield while england had to be content with Carlton Palmer, Geoff Thomas, Andy Sinton and the likes, are long gone, they are wise to it now and will do whatever is necessary to string lads along as has been done with Zat Knight and now with Nolan.


thats my 2 cents on it anyway boys and girls


I still don't see the validity of the argument. It is possible to be both English and Irish, and as such he has a right to choose. We have no right to say that he can't. We've already had players who had stated a preference for another country but still performed to the top of their ability and with pride for us. Ray Houghton always stated that his preference was Scotland!!!

[Rover 2 U]

What is the point of international football if players can pick and choose who they want to play for. It used to be about representing your country but all that has long since gone out the window replaced by greedy footballers trying to add a few coffers to their transfer value. Enough of it I say, either abandon the granny rule or international football will slowly kill itself by constantly diluting its own worth!

[colster]

What is the point of international football if players can pick and choose who they want to play for. It used to be about representing your country but all that has long since gone out the window replaced by greedy footballers trying to add a few coffers to their transfer value. Enough of it I say, either abandon the granny rule or international football will slowly kill itself by constantly diluting its own worth!

Since when can they pick and choose? They can only choose between those nations they are eligible for.
It is possible to be both English and Irish. The granny rule is there for a reason. The world is increasingly a smaller place. People live and work in other countries. Does that mean that their children cannot claim to be Irish?
Nolan has stated a preference to play for England but if he declares for us then he should be judged on his ability and performances.

[Rover 2 U]

Since when can they pick and choose? They can only choose between

You seem to be contradicting yourself there before you even begin. Which is it, they can't choose or they can only choose?

As for you line about being both English and Irish:D

Nolan is an English man and will be judged as such for ever.


Noland is English!
He was born in England!
He was reared in England!
That makes him English!
...............................

That's his story!

[colster]

You seem to be contradicting yourself there before you even begin. Which is it, they can't choose or they can only choose?


Read the next sentence. I said they can only choose between countries they are eligible for!! It's not as if he can choose to play for Brazil, San Marino or any other country he does not have roots in.

Being born in England may make him English but not exclusively so. Part of his families origin is in ireland so that makes him part irish too.

Definition of nationality from dictionary.com
1. The status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization.

[Rover 2 U]

Definition of nationality from dictionary.com
1. The status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization.

Origin - Where you're from
Birth - Where you're born
Naturalization - Which ever country will have you!

Appears Mr. Nolan is going down the naturalization road so cause he don't qualify through origin or birth!

[colster]

Origin - Where you're from
Birth - Where you're born
Naturalization - Which ever country will have you!

Appears Mr. Nolan is going down the naturalization road so cause he don't qualify through origin or birth!

Origin doesn't neccessarily mean the actual place of birth. It also means your ancestory.
Birth, this can mean that which you inherit from your family e.g. nationality.

[SeanieBoy]

So if you were:

Born in London
Left there at 6 months
Lived in South Armagh for 10 years from then until 11
Lived in London for 10 years from 11 until 21
Lived in Mayo & Dublin for 9 years until now
Spent every summer in Mayo

Now, is this cut & dried?? I am Irish & have never seen myself as English or British as both my parents are Irish & I have an Irish passport, I don't think it is relevant were you are born!!

Sean


Origin - Where you're from
Birth - Where you're born
Naturalization - Which ever country will have you!

Appears Mr. Nolan is going down the naturalization road so cause he don't qualify through origin or birth!

[Rover 2 U]

Will ya stop barking like a little dog!

Kevin Nolan is English. He wants to play for England but is not good enough. He has decided to review his options and hey presto, begora begora, slap him with a green stick, he's Irish! Sorry, it just doesn't wash.

[Rover 2 U]

So if you were:

Born in London
Left there at 6 months
Lived in South Armagh for 10 years from then until 11
Lived in London for 10 years from 11 until 21
Lived in Mayo & Dublin for 9 years until now
Spent every summer in Mayo

Now, is this cut & dried?? I am Irish & have never seen myself as English or British as both my parents are Irish & I have an Irish passport, I don't think it is relevant were you are born!!

Sean

Sean, if you spent your formative years (i.e childhood) in a place, then that is where I would say you are from. In your case that would mean your origin was South Armagh. Whether that makes you British or Irish, well that's a debate for a different day. :D

[colster]

Will ya stop barking like a little dog!

Are you directing that at me? If so stop being so childish and argue the point and don't resort to personal abuse.


Kevin Nolan is English. He wants to play for England but is not good enough. He has decided to review his options and hey presto, begora begora, slap him with a green stick, he's Irish! Sorry, it just doesn't wash.

Under the constitution of this country he is entitled to an Irish Passport. The rights of which were only voted on recently in the Citizenship referendum. Under the regulations of FIFA he may be entitled to play for ireland.

[colster]

Sean, if you spent your formative years (i.e childhood) in a place, then that is where I would say you are from. In your case that would mean your origin was South Armagh. Whether that makes you British or Irish, well that's a debate for a different day. :D

Contradicting yourself there, aren't you?

[Rover 2 U]

Bored with this now :(

Kevin Nolan is not Irish. He does not want to be Irish. He wants to further his career by playing for an international team, the only one available to him happens to be Ireland. There is a huge difference!

Never In Green shall Kevin be Seen!

[colster]

Bored with this now :(

Kevin Nolan is not Irish. He does not want to be Irish. He wants to further his career by playing for an international team, the only one available to him happens to be Ireland. There is a huge difference!

Never In Green shall Kevin be Seen!

And what do you think of Ray Houghton? He considers himself Scottish. His preference was to play for Scotland. He declared for Ireland and invariably played to the maximum of his ability and with no little pride.

[Rover 2 U]

And what do you think of Ray Houghton? He considers himself Scottish. His preference was to play for Scotland. He declared for Ireland and invariably played to the maximum of his ability and with no little pride.

Yeah, it was during an argument regarding Ray a couple of weeks ago that I came up with my sig. Ray showed his true colours when he insulted an entire nation by prancing around a live television studio dressed as a leprechaun to hi-diddle-hi music! That's what happens when you allow people, who are not Irish, to become Irish! They just don't understand. Ray is Scottish, always was, always will be, never did he wish to be Irish, it just suited his career to play for Ireland more so than it would have to play for Scotland. Is that right? Like I have said, choice needs to be removed from international football.

[colster]

Yeah, it was during an argument regarding Ray a couple of weeks ago that I came up with my sig. Ray showed his true colours when he insulted an entire nation by prancing around a live television studio dressed as a leprechaun to hi-diddle-hi music! That's what happens when you allow people, who are not Irish, to become Irish! They just don't understand. Ray is Scottish, always was, always will be, never did he wish to be Irish, it just suited his career to play for Ireland more so than it would have to play for Scotland. Is that right? Like I have said, choice needs to be removed from international football.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this. I can't see how someone born in Ireland to say Russian parents is more entitled to play for Ireland that a person who is born in England (or wherever) to Irish parents. If you had your way, that's exactly what would happen.

[Rover 2 U]

We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

For the first time on this tread, I am fully in agreement with you, cause it seems to me that if some lad can play a bit of ball and even once visited Ireland, you would give him a green jersey!

Agreeing to disagree, and, rest!

[colster]

For the first time on this tread, I am fully in agreement with you, cause it seems to me that if some lad can play a bit of ball and even once visited Ireland, you would give him a green jersey!

How do you make that out? If he's of Irish descent (2nd/3rd generation) then as far as the constitution of this country is concerned he's elligible to hold an irish passport regardless of whether he's visited the country or not.

You have a weird view of nationality that would only allow people born in Ireland. It wouldn't allow children born outside to irish born parents and ancestory yet would allow a person born in ireland to foreign parents with no connection whatsoever to ireland.
IMO they are both the same. They are both entitled to call themselves irish.

[SeanieBoy]

I have had this for most of my life, I can't understand how these high & mighty people who where born in Ireland & never even ventured away from Ireland can say that a person who was born in another country isn't Irish. Many Irish people had no choice but to leave Ireland in the 50's/60's/70's & 80's just to be able to feed their families...

I am happy with my nationality & would never consider playing for another country, certainly not England or Northern Ireland, but it is very narrow minded to think that you have to be born in Ireland to play for Ireland, Paul McGrath was born in England, what nationality is he??

I understand the problem that certain people could have with Morrison & Nolan, as they would prefer to play for England (well Morrison would probably prefer to stick with Ireland even if he got the chance to play for England), but how do you differentiate between who we think is Irish or not??

Born in Ireland??
Born in Ireland & was brought up in England - Finnan
Born in England & Live in Ireland for 20+ years?? Live in Ireland for 10+ years?? Live in Ireland for 5+ years??
Born in England & moved back to Ireland - McGrath
Born in England & brought up in England, but want's to play for Ireland & has supported Ireland all their life, e.g Breen, Kilbane, McCarthy....
Born in England & supported England & wants to play for England - Morrison, Nolan, Aldridge (not sure)

Is it the last type of Ireland player that you dislike??

Sean


For the first time on this tread, I am fully in agreement with you, cause it seems to me that if some lad can play a bit of ball and even once visited Ireland, you would give him a green jersey!

Agreeing to disagree, and, rest!

[Jerry The Saint]

Ray showed his true colours when he insulted an entire nation by prancing around a live television studio dressed as a leprechaun to hi-diddle-hi music!

You're talking about that time he was on Fantasy Football, right? If memory serves he also dressed up as an Irish dancer, an IRA man and a potato :D. Interesting that you were most offended by the leprechaun outfit (I hope you've never looked at the crowd during an Ireland game...). I don't think the sketch was performed live in a television studio either, by the way.

It could be seen as a swipe at people who think they are more Irish than the likes of Houghton...


I am Irish!
I was born in Ireland!
I was reared in Ireland!
That makes me Irish!
...................................
What's your story?

...that sort of thing. As a supposedly fake-Irishman, Houghton then has to "prove" that he really is Irish.

Can we set up a new rule as well? The minute a thread about a player who might not have been born in Ireland turns into a discussion on nationality, passports, birthrights, immigration/emigration, constitutions, etc, it should be locked. IT'S BEEN DONE!:o

[Fergie's Son]

And what do you think of Ray Houghton? He considers himself Scottish. His preference was to play for Scotland. He declared for Ireland and invariably played to the maximum of his ability and with no little pride.

I'm not entirely sure that is accurate. Evidently Houghton is a fairly serious Catholic so he had issues playing for Scotland. I got them from an article in the Times (London) from the early nineties so your mileage may vary.

Nolan will not declare for Ireland and nor should he. He's English and he wants to play for England. Good for him now let's move on.

[sadloserkid]

Nolan will not declare for Ireland and nor should he. He's English and he wants to play for England. Good for him now let's move on.

Surely the most sensible thing ever said by a Dublin City fan! ;)

[Fergie's Son]

Surely the most sensible thing ever said by a Dublin City fan! ;)

Heh, I'm actually a Shel's fan I just prefer the jersey. Went to school just down the road from Tolka Park.

[tricky_colour]

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



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

Seems to me you consider the nationality a person thinks he is is more important than the persons actual nationality. Just because a person
doesn't understand his own nationality should not exclude him from representing his country.
I think basically you are excluding people because they are ignorant, that
is not necessarilly their fault.

[Closed Account 2]

Born in England & supported England & wants to play for England - Morrison, Nolan, Aldridge (not sure)


I think you're off the mark regarding Aldo !!

I'd play Nolan for one game, that way at least he wouldnt be able to play for anyone else. If his attitude was good, then maybe consider playing him for more games. At least we'll snuff out the chances of him ever playing against us.

By all accounts Kerian Richardson wanted to play for us, but we never expressed an interest in him so he opted for England (like Keown ages ago), the same might happen with Steven Ireland

[Reality Bites]

if we don't express an interest in Stephen Ireland, we may as well give up soccer as a national sport!!!!

[Hither green]

Seems to me you consider the nationality a person thinks he is is more important than the persons actual nationality. Just because a person doesn't understand his own nationality should not exclude him from representing his country.

Excellent idea, let's pick a clear nationality rule and force it on players. If it's on birth then wasn't Michael Owen born just over the border in Wales? So I don't care what he says he's welsh. Or we can go on their bloodline, in which case we'll have Rooney.

[shakermaker1982]

excellent post. My mum and dad had to leave Ireland and head for England when they were 16 and 17 to look for work. I am born here, as is my brother but we both have Irish passports and see ourselves as Irish because we were brought up as Irish in an area that was predominantly Irish. I know my Irish history blah blah and even have to follow Mayo to Croke park........... :D

If Nolan is only wanting to play for Ireland because England don't want him then he can **** off but if he is keen to wear the green shirt and will give 100% then he's more than welcome to.



I have had this for most of my life, I can't understand how these high & mighty people who where born in Ireland & never even ventured away from Ireland can say that a person who was born in another country isn't Irish. Many Irish people had no choice but to leave Ireland in the 50's/60's/70's & 80's just to be able to feed their families...

I am happy with my nationality & would never consider playing for another country, certainly not England or Northern Ireland, but it is very narrow minded to think that you have to be born in Ireland to play for Ireland, Paul McGrath was born in England, what nationality is he??

I understand the problem that certain people could have with Morrison & Nolan, as they would prefer to play for England (well Morrison would probably prefer to stick with Ireland even if he got the chance to play for England), but how do you differentiate between who we think is Irish or not??

Born in Ireland??
Born in Ireland & was brought up in England - Finnan
Born in England & Live in Ireland for 20+ years?? Live in Ireland for 10+ years?? Live in Ireland for 5+ years??
Born in England & moved back to Ireland - McGrath
Born in England & brought up in England, but want's to play for Ireland & has supported Ireland all their life, e.g Breen, Kilbane, McCarthy....
Born in England & supported England & wants to play for England - Morrison, Nolan, Aldridge (not sure)

Is it the last type of Ireland player that you dislike??

Sean

[eirebhoy]

if we don't express an interest in Stephen Ireland, we may as well give up soccer as a national sport!!!!
Who's we?

[Reality Bites]

I didn't think i'd have to explain this one but "We" being IRELAND or Irish football

[Hither green]

When RB wants to know what the Irish think he just looks into his own heart :)

[Stuttgart88]

Didn't Stevie Ireland say he'd play? Non-story.

[Closed Account 2]

Yeah but we need to get him in and signed up asap... Any young decent player who has the choice between us and another country should be played or come on as a sub in a full friendly to lock them in and prevent them from being poached.

I'd like to have seen the likes of Nolan played in the meaningless China game or something like the Unity Cup, that way we could tap them up so they could only play for us. Then we can look at their commitment and see if they should be playing in the crucial matches without worrying about if they'll declare for another side.

[dr_peepee]

I think Richardson was always gonna declare for England...

I remember reading some years ago that Keane was in the ear of Richardson and Darren Fletcher to declare for Ireland.

[Roverstillidie]

this diaspora row is getting repetitive. Its not an anti-english thing, its a chancer thing.
the reality is Nolan isnt Irish, but might choose to become Irish to further his career. I dont want players in green whose only reason for being there (and yes, Clint falls into this category) to get a few extra quid at contract time because they are international players.
We have had mixed fortune with these opportunists over the years, Townsend worked out very well for example.
I think there is a split between the ole ole type and the more earthy fans on this. I would rather be worse with pride than play morrison or nolan, who are essentially parasites.

[Hither green]

I take the point. I’m sure there are plenty of people who aren’t patriotic and feel comfortable having 2 or more nationalities, but Nolan did clearly say that he wanted to play for England, so that should be that. It didn’t seem so bad in the past capping older players who’d never been given the chance to play for their first choice country, but it’s a bit desperate trying to “convert” young topflight players who would prefer to play for someone else. It makes us a laughing stock when we go out looking for someone’s Irish granny, like we apparently did with Marlon King.

That said, I’ve never regretted Morrison being part of the team, he may have preferred England but he’s played his heart out in the green jersey.

[gspain]

My understanding is that Nolan is no longer eligible to play for us as the FIFA amnesty has expired. In fairness to the guy he has always maintained he is English and wants to play for them. It is just another non story for slow news days.

I have no problem with anybody playing for us who qualifies that WANTS to play for us. A good chunk of our support particularly our travelling fans were born in England too. They are still Irish are very following us long before the glory days too.

Kevin Kilbane who grew up doing Irish dancing in Preston is every bit as Irish as a kid growing up in Dublin playing playstation and supporting Man Utd.

[Cowboy]

It was my understanding that the rule was temporarily extended to cover under 25's and has now reverted to cover u21's and below. Can anyone clarify this?

[CraftyToePoke]

I still don't see the validity of the argument. It is possible to be both English and Irish, and as such he has a right to choose. We have no right to say that he can't. We've already had players who had stated a preference for another country but still performed to the top of their ability and with pride for us. Ray Houghton always stated that his preference was Scotland!!!


sorry to drag this up again all but ive been away for a few days you see.

closter, he would be representing us, ireland, irish people everywhere, YOU, and he does not see himself as irish, the fact that it worked with Houghton is neither here nor there because for every Houghton theres a batch of duds who should never have worn the shirt. surely you can see that?

Can you truthfully tell me you feel equally represented by someone like Nolan or Morrison as you would by Kilbane or Given? because i just cant see how that would be.

[Mad Moose]

Just when I was thinking about a shake up of the Irish International Team I couldnt helping thinking of the great work carried out by Jack Charlton and the players he called up for the Republic, particularly the story of going to see John Aldridge at Oxford United and ended up coming away with Ray Houghton. How significant this turned out to be and the rest as they say was history.Which leads me on to the current situation. I for one never want to mention our international side and Roy Keane in the same sentence but he's gone and its a pity how it all transpired. I'm not sure if Stan has the influence but Bobby certainly has.I think this management pairing may succeed and I'll be looking toward that gentleman of the game Bobby Robson. Which leads me on to what could be hugely significant. So much depends on whether Stan or Bobby can persuade Kevin Nolan to declare for the Republic. I for one am in awe of the guy and he could end up been the difference between demise and success. Jack in his time knew the players, other managers may not have considered the lower leagues. Kevin Nolan would be a first choice in any side.In relation to England thankfully they cannot decide on their best side and sometimes an indulgence of talent isnt the be all and end all. We need Kevin to declare. He is without doubt a player we really need and I hope he doesnt get an England call up.Time for Stan to get over to Bolton. The power of persuasion.

Just a thought.

Brendan Grufferty.

[Donal81]

Just when I was thinking about a shake up of the Irish International Team I couldnt helping thinking of the great work carried out by Jack Charlton and the players he called up for the Republic, particularly the story of going to see John Aldridge at Oxford United and ended up coming away with Ray Houghton. How significant this turned out to be and the rest as they say was history.Which leads me on to the current situation. I for one never want to mention our international side and Roy Keane in the same sentence but he's gone and its a pity how it all transpired. I'm not sure if Stan has the influence but Bobby certainly has.I think this management pairing may succeed and I'll be looking toward that gentleman of the game Bobby Robson. Which leads me on to what could be hugely significant. So much depends on whether Stan or Bobby can persuade Kevin Nolan to declare for the Republic. I for one am in awe of the guy and he could end up been the difference between demise and success. Jack in his time knew the players, other managers may not have considered the lower leagues. Kevin Nolan would be a first choice in any side.In relation to England thankfully they cannot decide on their best side and sometimes an indulgence of talent isnt the be all and end all. We need Kevin to declare. He is without doubt a player we really need and I hope he doesnt get an England call up.Time for Stan to get over to Bolton. The power of persuasion.

Just a thought.

Brendan Grufferty.

Jaysis, this issue is dead and buried, isn't it? He can't declare, right? If this is the case, could someone please place a large banner on the site, KEVIN NOLAN CANNOT PLAY FOR IRELAND so we can stop bringing him up. If I'm wrong, I apologise.

[eirebhoy]

This has been discussed many times and he is not eligible for us.



1 Any person holding the nationality of a country is eligible to play for
the representative teams of the Association of his country. The
Executive Committee shall decide on the conditions of eligibility
for any Player who assumes a new nationality and for whom par. 3
of this article does not apply, or for any Player who would, in principle,
be eligible to play for the teams of more than one Association
due to his nationality.
2 As a general rule, any Player who has already represented one Association
(either in full or in part) in an official competition of any category
may not play an international match with another Association
team.
3 If a Player has more than one nationality, or if a Player acquires a new
nationality, or if the Player is eligible to play for several Association
teams due to his nationality, the following exceptions apply:
(a) Up to his 21st birthday, a player may only once request changing
the Association for which he is eligible to play international
matches.
A Player may exercise this right to change Associations
only if he has not played at “A" international level for his
current Association and if at the time of his first full or
partial appearance in an international match in an official competition
of any other category, he already had such nationalities.
Changing Associations is not permitted during the preliminary
competition of a FIFA competition, continental championship
or Olympic Tournaments if a player has already been
fielded in a match of one of these competitions.
(b) Any Player who has already acquired eligibility to play for one
Association but has another nationality imposed upon him by
a government authority, is also entitled to change associations.
This provision is not subject to any age limits.

4 Any Player who wishes to exercise this right to change Associations
shall submit a written and substantiated request to the FIFA general
secretariat. After submitting the request, the Player is no longer
qualified to play for his current Association’s team. The Players’
Status Committee shall decide on the request. The committee’s
decision may be brought before the Appeal Committee. The Regulations
for the Status and Transfer of Players contain more detailed
provisions.
5 Any Players who have already had their 21st birthday at the time of
implementation of these provisions and who fulfil the requirements
in par. 3 (a) are also entitled to submit such a request to change
Associations. This entitlement will expire definitively twelve months
after implementation of this provision

[NeilMcD]

This should be a sticky

[as_i_say]

tbh there is still loads o confusion over this. instead of quoting from FIFA regulations someone here who knows why he cant 100% play for us should post with bullet points the reasons why!!!

also anyone read the Oirish Daily Mail last week-alderidge writes for them. long piece about how robbo should nab nolan and how nolans eyes allegedly "lit up" when aldo told him about what it was like to wear the green.

Nolan has been approached as far as i know and has turned us down but i think some clarity is needed on the subject of him being able to play for us.

Sticky!

[klein4]

we have to get Nolan playing for us at all costs!

[Stuttgart88]

as i say, Nolan WAS approached but in 2004 when there was a 12 month temporary amnesty for players to switch countries if they have played underage but not full internationals for another country. We got Jon Macken via this amnesty. Nolan has played U21 for England & if he was to play for us he would have had to declare by 31st December 2004.

So as I understand it, it's end of story.

[as_i_say]

good stuff-didnt know about that. yes i agree its time to forget about him but maybe this thread will now put an end to any discussions on it in future (yeah right!)