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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 ?
Paul Scholes, Kevin Keegan, Kerry Dixon..............for starters, Joe Corrigan in Goal :ball:
Tony Cascarino as it turned out. ;) Kevin Gallen
I remember Greavsie saying he could have declared for Ireland, his grandmother was Irish.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PAURO 7
The Greedy ****** never actully played a full international ......
who's sorry now Kev !!!:eek:
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
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 BrownQuote:
Originally Posted by DeNiro
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by carloz
Steve Bruce
Never capped for EnglandQuote:
Originally Posted by AustinoAsprilla
Same as Nolan!Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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
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
Didn't James Milner play for us briefly at underage level before switching?
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Swordsman
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
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 )