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BradyIsMyHero
05/02/2007, 9:39 AM
A question has been asked in today's "The Knowledge" section of guardianonline:

""Much has been made in the past about English-born players declaring for Ireland, but is there an English XI who have played for England but technically could have declared for Ireland?"

Can think of Martin Keown and possibly Wayne Rooney?

Any others ?
Bring Back Mick
05/02/2007, 9:47 AM
Paul Scholes, Kevin Keegan, Kerry Dixon..............for starters, Joe Corrigan in Goal :ball:
Pauro 76
05/02/2007, 9:48 AM
Tony Cascarino as it turned out. ;) Kevin Gallen
tetsujin1979
05/02/2007, 9:57 AM
I remember Greavsie saying he could have declared for Ireland, his grandmother was Irish.
Bring Back Mick
05/02/2007, 10:02 AM
Kevin Gallen


The Greedy ****** never actully played a full international ......

who's sorry now Kev !!!:eek:
Dodge
05/02/2007, 10:05 AM
Problem is he's sorry he never played an international rather than he turned down Ireland.
Paddy Garcia
05/02/2007, 10:15 AM
Problem is he's sorry he never played an international rather than he turned down Ireland.

Agree, the funny thing is if he had played for us the extra exposure would probably have got him that move to Liverpool or another top team before his injury in 96. The story could have turned out very different indeed.
DeNiro
05/02/2007, 10:16 AM
Bryan Robson had some Irish connection as well. Rio Ferdinand has an Irish grandmother. There was an Argentinian international (1986 WC squad) that had an Irish relative as well. Might be Luis Brown (maybe:confused:).
Paddy Garcia
05/02/2007, 10:21 AM
Bryan Robson had some Irish connection as well. Rio Ferdinand has an Irish grandmother. There was an Argentinian international (1986 WC squad) that had an Irish relative as well. Might be Luis Brown (maybe:confused:).

yes it was Brown
greendeiseboy
05/02/2007, 10:45 AM
brian kidd
steve froggatt - unused sub
noel whelan - under 21
nobby stiles
gareth barry
tony adams
steve bould
gazza - acording to jack charlton could have played
michael carrick
aaron lennon
carloz
05/02/2007, 10:55 AM
Just on Kevin Gallen i dont really blame him for not playing for Ireland. Supposedly Gerry Francis told him that if he declared for Ireland he would not play for QPR again:eek:
Lionel Ritchie
05/02/2007, 11:01 AM
Just on Kevin Gallen i dont really blame him for not playing for Ireland. Supposedly Gerry Francis told him that if he declared for Ireland he would not play for QPR again:eek:

Certainly came under huge pressure from QPR to "stay English" until they got a good price for him.
AustinoAsprilla
05/02/2007, 12:20 PM
Steve Bruce
tetsujin1979
05/02/2007, 12:28 PM
Steve Bruce
Never capped for England
Paddy Garcia
05/02/2007, 12:32 PM
Never capped for England

Same as Nolan!
The Swordsman
05/02/2007, 12:36 PM
I seem to remember Peter Reid saying that he could have played for Ireland. I think one of his parents was Irish.

I also seem to remember that Steve Bruce wanted to declare for Ireland, but couldn't because he played once for England at under age level
fergalr
05/02/2007, 12:39 PM
Not sure about all of the names mentioned above but there are loads and two that spring to mind are:

Martin Keown - two irish parents
Steve McMahon
JimmyP
05/02/2007, 12:41 PM
Didn't James Milner play for us briefly at underage level before switching?
Lionel Ritchie
05/02/2007, 1:23 PM
I seem to remember Peter Reid saying that he could have played for Ireland. I think one of his parents was Irish.

I also seem to remember that Steve Bruce wanted to declare for Ireland, but couldn't because he played once for England at under age level


Bruce played in an England B game. At the time I believe that copperfastened your eligability.
EalingGreen
05/02/2007, 1:43 PM
Bruce played in an England B game. At the time I believe that copperfastened your eligability.

Not so, since "B" internationals are considered as friendly fixtures, not competition matches, so do not affect eligibility.

In fact, Bruce is an interesting example. Since his mammy comes from Bangor, Co.Down, he was approached first (afaik) by the IFA, not the FAI.
However, he declined for two reasons. First, he still had hopes of playing for England. Second, he played for MU at a time when UEFA restricted the number of "non-nationals" of a team who could play in European football. Therefore, Ferguson made it quite clear that he didn't want Bruce playing for anyone else except England. End of.

Of course, Steve Bruce's son Alex is even more pertinent to current events! When, on account of his Bangor granny, he was approached by both the IFA and FAI, he eventually chose the ROI, on the basis that they had a "better team"! I wonder if he still thinks that? ;)
Anyhow, I'm not sure whether he's yet played a competitive fixture for the ROI, but if he has, or does in future, he may be caught out should the IFA win its present case lodged with FIFA re. eligibility.

(At which point, EG dons tin hat and ducks for cover...:D )
livehead1
05/02/2007, 3:21 PM
Not so, since "B" internationals are considered as friendly fixtures, not competition matches, so do not affect eligibility.

In fact, Bruce is an interesting example. Since his mammy comes from Bangor, Co.Down, he was approached first (afaik) by the IFA, not the FAI.
However, he declined for two reasons. First, he still had hopes of playing for England. Second, he played for MU at a time when UEFA restricted the number of "non-nationals" of a team who could play in European football. Therefore, Ferguson made it quite clear that he didn't want Bruce playing for anyone else except England. End of.
Bruce wasn't too fussed about playing for England. He wanted to play for Ireland as he would have been able to play in the 1994 World Cup. The only reason he didn't was as you say the non-nationals rule. You could only play three at the same time I think, and I reckon United had Keane, Irwin, and Peter Schmeical (sp) at the time.



Of course, Steve Bruce's son Alex is even more pertinent to current events! When, on account of his Bangor granny, he was approached by both the IFA and FAI, he eventually chose the ROI, on the basis that they had a "better team"! I wonder if he still thinks that? ;)
Anyhow, I'm not sure whether he's yet played a competitive fixture for the ROI, but if he has, or does in future, he may be caught out should the IFA win its present case lodged with FIFA re. eligibility.
I'm sure he still does believe he has made the right choice as hes played under 21 games for us. Also seems to be doing well at club level. The IFA has more chance of employing Mourinho than winning that case! After looking into it earlier today I feel its a half hearted attempt, with a very low level of success.
Paddy Garcia
05/02/2007, 4:01 PM
Of course, Steve Bruce's son Alex is even more pertinent to current events! When, on account of his Bangor granny, he was approached by both the IFA and FAI, he eventually chose the ROI, on the basis that they had a "better team"! I wonder if he still thinks that? ;)
Anyhow, I'm not sure whether he's yet played a competitive fixture for the ROI, but if he has, or does in future, he may be caught out should the IFA win its present case lodged with FIFA re. eligibility.

(At which point, EG dons tin hat and ducks for cover...:D )

I know it is important to you but could you please try not to slip this topic into every thread? Cheers
dr_peepee
05/02/2007, 4:47 PM
"Must argue... Need provoked response... It defines me..."
OwlsFan
05/02/2007, 4:59 PM
Mick Lyons (Everton and Sheffield Wednesday).
Noelys Guitar
05/02/2007, 5:37 PM
Not so, since "B" internationals are considered as friendly fixtures, not competition matches, so do not affect eligibility.

In fact, Bruce is an interesting example. Since his mammy comes from Bangor, Co.Down, he was approached first (afaik) by the IFA, not the FAI.
However, he declined for two reasons. First, he still had hopes of playing for England. Second, he played for MU at a time when UEFA restricted the number of "non-nationals" of a team who could play in European football. Therefore, Ferguson made it quite clear that he didn't want Bruce playing for anyone else except England. End of.

Of course, Steve Bruce's son Alex is even more pertinent to current events! When, on account of his Bangor granny, he was approached by both the IFA and FAI, he eventually chose the ROI, on the basis that they had a "better team"! I wonder if he still thinks that? ;)
Anyhow, I'm not sure whether he's yet played a competitive fixture for the ROI, but if he has, or does in future, he may be caught out should the IFA win its present case lodged with FIFA re. eligibility.

(At which point, EG dons tin hat and ducks for cover...:D )

I believe the Brazilian fans at the Emirate's tomorrow night will be singing "were not Norn Iron". Followed by much aren't we just a great wee..oops sorry big country altogether etc etc zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
DeNiro
05/02/2007, 6:35 PM
brian kidd
steve froggatt - unused sub
noel whelan - under 21
nobby stiles
gareth barry
tony adams
steve bould
gazza - acording to jack charlton could have played
michael carrick
aaron lennon

Interesting list. Had never heard Carrick before! What's his connection?
Den Perry
05/02/2007, 7:12 PM
Interesting list. Had never heard Carrick before! What's his connection?


Carrick on Suir....
FarBeag
05/02/2007, 7:18 PM
nobby stiles...Jaysus.. I have heard some Christian names handed out by Irish mums but this poor bloke must have picked the shortest straw of them all.
Qwerty
05/02/2007, 10:23 PM
Kevin Keegan and Steve McMahon. Both had 1 Irish grandparent AFAIK.
ramondo
06/02/2007, 3:36 AM
nobby stiles...Jaysus.. I have heard some Christian names handed out by Irish mums but this poor bloke must have picked the shortest straw of them all.

Apparently he was a very annoying child. Hence his mother's exasperated:

Ná bí do mo chrá (stop bothering me)

and it sort of stuck.
greendeiseboy
06/02/2007, 7:52 AM
nobby stiles...Jaysus.. I have heard some Christian names handed out by Irish mums but this poor bloke must have picked the shortest straw of them all.

yeah, seemingly his father was a dick
Ozymandias
06/02/2007, 10:37 AM
steven gerard
BradyIsMyHero
06/02/2007, 10:44 AM
Alan Mullery
Tony Daley
Danny Murphy
Steve McManaman
CraftyToePoke
06/02/2007, 11:47 AM
anyone know anything about Gavin McCann or David Dunn?
beautifulrock
06/02/2007, 11:58 AM
John Deehan, are we sure about Nobby Stiles, read his auto about a year ago and do not remember much reference to his Irishness other than marrying Johnny Giles's sister.
charliesboots
06/02/2007, 2:18 PM
John Deehan, are we sure about Nobby Stiles, read his auto about a year ago and do not remember much reference to his Irishness other than marrying Johnny Giles's sister.

There you go so...didn't Paul Butler marry an Irish bird and as a result qualified for an Irish passport after a few years??? (or something similarly ridiculous)
galwayhoop
06/02/2007, 3:03 PM
i thought i heard a long time ago that Robbie Fowler could also have played for us - could be wrong though
ken foree
06/02/2007, 5:09 PM
completely off topic but noel whelan volleyed fantastically into his own net on his birthday a few seasons ago when playing for 'boro. had a good chuckle over that one.
TonyD
06/02/2007, 8:55 PM
Didn't Trevor Sinclair have some Irish connection ?
rambler14
06/02/2007, 9:06 PM
Lee Trundle
If Rio Ferdinand can then Anton Ferdinand can.
Any Liverpudlian can play aswell I suppose
DeNiro
07/02/2007, 7:57 AM
Didn't Trevor Sinclair have some Irish connection ?

Yes, he could have played for us. They used to call him 'Paddy' at QPR I once read in a magazine or news paper.

The Ferdinands were eligible. It's mentioned in Rio's book about an Irish grandmother.

Kevin Harper who represented Scotland was also eligible for us. As was Darren Fletcher. Paul Scholes was probably the one that really got away.

I think there may be a few American internationals that had Irish connections as well. John O'Brien (with Ajax at one point I think) may have been eligible.
macdermesser
07/02/2007, 8:00 AM
Can we tie all this into one team now? Maybe team of the present would be interesting

3-5-2 .. just missing a goalie

GK

Ferdinand Ferdinand Barry

Gerard Nolan Murphy Carrick Lennon

Scholes Rooney
endabob1
07/02/2007, 8:30 AM
There you go so...didn't Paul Butler marry an Irish bird and as a result qualified for an Irish passport after a few years??? (or something similarly ridiculous)


Correct, His Mrs is from Clare, he himself has no Irish connections but because of his marriage he was entitled to claim citizenship (after being married for 3 years) and thus qualifiied to play for us. Interestingly the citizenship laws have changed in Ireland so I now I believe you have to be a resident in the country in order to claim citizenship via a spouse, it changed at the end of 2002.
cavan_fan
07/02/2007, 8:50 AM
All of these are English born to Irish parentage. Are there any Irish born English internationals?
tetsujin1979
07/02/2007, 9:01 AM
All of these are English born to Irish parentage. Are there any Irish born English internationals?

I remember reading that a goalkeeper in the underage ranks in England had played for us as well at some point, but I can't think of his name. Or where he was born.
I would imagine the majority (if not all) of professionals who were born here play for Ireland, although with the amount of immigration in recent years, I can see that changing.
cavan_fan
07/02/2007, 9:11 AM
Goalkeepers are an unusual case at the moment. It's easier to get into the Enlgand team than the Ireland team, always thought Kiely must have regretted declaring for us.
BradyIsMyHero
07/02/2007, 9:28 AM
The goalkeeper is Joe Corrigan of Man City

Superb keeper, but won only 9 English caps, as he happened to be playing at the same time as both Peter Shilton (125 caps) and Ray Clemence (61 caps).
gustavo
07/02/2007, 9:37 AM
It's easier to get into the Enlgand team than the Ireland team,

I very much doubt that , by that logic Wayne Henderson would be able to get a game for England.
dr_peepee
07/02/2007, 11:02 AM
The only one I ever really felt a sense of 'loss' or 'missing out' over was Martin Keown given his up bringing.
tetsujin1979
07/02/2007, 11:03 AM
The only one I ever really felt a sense of 'loss' or 'missing out' over was Martin Keown given his up bringing.
I remember reading a few times that he speaks Irish, as one of his parent's family are from a gaeltacht in Connaught!