Friendly against England in June?

**drummerboy** · 10/12/2010, 7:54 AM

Reports on the TV3 news this morning about England coming to play Ireland at the Aviva in June. What do people think of this. At least it will be a money spinner for the FAI which will help pay JD excessive wages.

**ifk101** · 10/12/2010, 8:25 AM

There have been rumours of a possible England friendly for a while now. Looking at the lined up Ireland fixtures for 2011 at the Aviva you can see why as none of them are likely to be sell outs. The FAI need a big pay day that perhaps only a game against England can give them.

**Supreme feet** · 10/12/2010, 8:30 AM

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/...d_england.html

Story's gathering some pace now. Interesting enough; the first thought that came to mind was; is it a big security risk? Ireland-England rugby games always pass off very peacefully, but football attracts a different kind of animal. Hooliganism isn't what it used to be in England, but Millwall-West Ham Carling Cup riots last year, along with the Birmingham City fans a few weeks ago, showed that trouble is still bubbling under the surface. Irish-English relations have thawed considerably since 1995, of course, but it only takes a small band of nutcases for things to kick off.

**elroy** · 10/12/2010, 8:35 AM

And you can be guaranteed a certain number of said nutcases will make it across, so security will need to be strong that night. The pairing has to happen something soon, either competitive or friendly, its been over 15 years now, previous to that we played four times in about seven years. I would welcome the game, but have an uneasy feeling about it.

**Closed Account 2** · 10/12/2010, 8:53 AM

Bad idea, a significant element of their fan base is pre-disposed to violence (yes, less than in the 1980s but it's still there) and they will likely see this as a chance to rip up a new stadium. Does no one remember 1995 ?

Why are we playing them anyway ? Tactically they will not offer us any challenge similar to what we are facing over the next 12-14 months. At least if we were playing a team like the Germans, Portugal or the Dutch we would be playing a team that would challenge us tactically.

**osarusan** · 10/12/2010, 9:03 AM

A big friendly will be good for the coffers. Security might be a worry, but it shouldn't stop the game going ahead, and if friendlies like this were more regular, the 'edge' to them wouldn't be so heightened.

**Gather round** · 10/12/2010, 9:04 AM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Why are we playing them anyway?

Portugal, Netherlands and Germany wouldn't sell out which as others says is the main consideration. I doubt the tactical challenge they'd offer really counts for much.

I don't want to talk up the likelihood of trouble at games, but two large groups of Rangers fans hitting town in February may give an idea of what to expect?

**geysir** · 10/12/2010, 10:06 AM

A great 'friendly' coup if the FAI pull it off. Just the type of game to end the season on.
I guess there will be not be too many calling for Trap to do much experimentation here

Sky Sports have the tv rights for friendlies?

**Dodge** · 10/12/2010, 10:13 AM

So in the space of 3 months or so we'll play England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? That'll prepare us well for coming campaigns...

**paul_oshea** · 10/12/2010, 11:19 AM

Dodge what's this we business about.you don't support the national team like trevor ringland,st pats is your country

**Dodge** · 10/12/2010, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Dodge what's this we business about.you don't support the national team like trevor ringland,st pats is your country

You asked me before did I support the National Team. Go look for my answer there. Not surprisingly, your above post is arseways

**Colbert Report** · 10/12/2010, 11:26 AM

Please God tell me this is a joke..........

**superfrank** · 10/12/2010, 11:28 AM

Out of curiosity, when was the last time there was trouble with English national team fans at any match?

IIRC, it was at Euro 2000, though I'd be open to correction.

**Closed Account 2** · 10/12/2010, 11:41 AM

2003 - England v Turkey at Sunderland I'd guess.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2904435.stm

But there was a bit of trouble in the Algarve during Euro 2004 too.

**paul_oshea** · 10/12/2010, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

You asked me before did I support the National Team. Go look for my answer there. Not surprisingly, your above post is arseways

I don't have time to search and trawl through posts like you do but from what i gathered at the time you were indifferent to the national team and/or in posts(or lack thereof)before the one you are referring to.apologies if wrong

**Stuttgart88** · 10/12/2010, 11:50 AM

I think the Irish construction industry lobbied for this game. The rebuilding of the new west stand will be a good short term job boost in July and August.

**tetsujin1979** · 10/12/2010, 11:52 AM

Denial issued by the FA: http://football365.com/story/0,17033...565091,00.html

**geysir** · 10/12/2010, 11:57 AM

The RTE article contained the same denial, but is the denial coming from the FA, tets?
They just say the Press Association Sport, do they release statements on behalf of the FA?

**tetsujin1979** · 10/12/2010, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

The RTE article contained the same denial, but is the denial coming from the FA, tets?
They just say the Press Association Sport, do they release statements on behalf of the FA?

don't know actually. There's nothing about it on thefa.com, that I can find anyway.