Shane Ferguson

[Eminence Grise]

I see that some are once again suggesting that this is 'confirmation' that the FAI is sectarian in making approaches to players. After all, it's an association of sectarian kidnappers.

In that case, the FAI should go the whole hog and rebrand as FARC (Football Assocation of Roaming Catholics).

[TrapAPony]

On the bench today v Liverpool

[Not Brazil]

=
Only recently the Sinn Fein Stormont minister forked out over three million quid of our money to save 30 IFA jobs that were under threat over cutbacks.

That's interesting!

Who was the Minister dishing out the dosh?

Have you a link to the story?

[Scooby Doo]

In that case, the FAI should go the whole hog and rebrand as FARC (Football Assocation of Roaming Catholics).

Ah, well played E.G., well played!

[DannyInvincible]

Ferguson on for the last 2 minutes of stoppage time against Liverpool. Newcastle already 3-0 down but I doubt he'll have time to do much.

[DannyInvincible]

Full-time. Only touch he got was a shake of Andy Carroll's hand after the final whistle.

[Sullivinho]

I've heard him described as a left back but physically and ability-wise he looks every bit the left winger.

[Predator]

I've heard him described as a left back but physically and ability-wise he looks every bit the left winger.

I've seen him a good few times through the years and every time he was a left winger or forward. Only recently it seems that he has been playing left back.

[ArdeeBhoy]

He couldn't be any more of a liability than Kilbane in that position. Who incidentally turned in an accomplished performance in central midfield for Huddersfield @ MK Franchise recently.

[SwanVsDalton]

He couldn't be any more of a liability than Kilbane in that position. Who incidentally turned in an accomplished performance in central midfield for Huddersfield @ MK Franchise recently.

That the same Kilbane who has been nothing but tidy for Ireland at LB in the last few internationals?

Think the phrase 'couldn't be more of a liability than Kilbane in that position' has been used to describe 59 players on this forum.

[DannyInvincible]

Came across another article on Ferguson written by a chap called Lee Ryder from the Newcastle-based 'Evening Chronicle'. Clearly, he's lifted his tack straight from the Belfast Telegraph story and the resulting story reads like a classic and pretty amusing case of Chinese whispers. Whilst ignorantly describing the relevant FIFA rule as a "loophole", he humours with:

FIFA decreed two years ago that a player who holds an Irish passport can also play for the Republic, if they have not already played a competitive game in either the European Championships or the World Cup – and Ferguson fits into that exact category.

That exact category, eh?

[tetsujin1979]

Came across another article on Ferguson written by a chap called Lee Ryder from the Newcastle-based 'Evening Chronicle'. Clearly, he's lifted his tack straight from the Belfast Telegraph story and the resulting story reads like a classic and pretty amusing case of Chinese whispers. Whilst ignorantly describing the relevant FIFA rule as a "loophole", he humours with:

FIFA decreed two years ago that a player who holds an Irish passport can also play for the Republic, if they have not already played a competitive game in either the European Championships or the World Cup – and Ferguson fits into that exact category.

That exact category, eh?

it does beg the question, how exactly could he play a competitive game that wasn't in the European Championships or the World Cup?

[DannyInvincible]

Maybe he still thinks Blatter is going to invite us to partake in the Copa America after 'Henrygate'.

[BonnieShels]

The absolute garbage that's peddled us astounding. Are you gonna respond Danny?

[French Toasht]

Whilst I think the FAI are well within their rights to pursue northern born players with nationalist ideals, I don't think Don Givens contentious comments do anything to improve what is already an acrimonious relationship between the two associations and the net result will be hostility and violence breaking out at matches either between club sides of both associations or at international matches between the two. Also his comments will result in the likes of Ferguson, Kearns, Wilson etc been targetted for abuse.

Givens is an incendiary and I can't think of any role he has played within the FAI that has not been more detrimental than beneficial to the advancement of Irish football.

[SwanVsDalton]

How'd do you respond to that? The article would be more factually correct if it was printed in wingdings font.

[SwanVsDalton]

Whilst I think the FAI are well within their rights to pursue northern born players with nationalist ideals, I don't think Don Givens contentious comments do anything to improve what is already an acrimonious relationship between the two associations and the net result will be hostility and violence breaking out at matches either between club sides of both associations or at international matches between the two. Also his comments will result in the likes of Ferguson, Kearns, Wilson etc been targetted for abuse.

Givens is an incendiary and I can't think of any role he has played within the FAI that has not been more detrimental than beneficial to the advancement of Irish football.

You're not given certain sections of Irish football support enough credit here - they don't need Givens to encourage any kind of animosity.

[French Toasht]

You're not given certain sections of Irish football support enough credit here - they don't need Givens to encourage any kind of animosity.

True. But talk about fuelling the fire. The IFA have apparently put out a motion to all members of the NI Supporters club as to whether or not they choose to boycott the Aviva match. Whilst that is undoubtedly a foolish move on their part, its statements like these that will give the IFA the authority to take the moral high ground on the issue. Also watch, over the next few years how many young 16 and 17 year old nationalists will be capped in a competitive match against the San Marinos and Andorras of this world, in order to prevent any of those baddies at the FAI getting their dirty hands on them.

Like I say, the man is an incendiary. As an underage manager, he was no stranger to shouting his mouth off and was clueless in terms of his man management style with our more "volatile" young players. Clearly he determined to continue to be just as brash and bullish in his new role.

[ifk101]

Came across another article on Ferguson written by a chap called Lee Ryder from the Newcastle-based 'Evening Chronicle'. Clearly, he's lifted his tack straight from the Belfast Telegraph story and the resulting story reads like a classic and pretty amusing case of Chinese whispers. Whilst ignorantly describing the relevant FIFA rule as a "loophole", he humours with:

I wouldn't place too much weight on that Chronicle article.

For example the article states "Derry lad Ferguson has already been capped by Northern Ireland in an international friendly against Italy in a 4-1 defeat in Sardinia two years ago."

Indeed Ferguson did appear in that game but the result was 3-0 to Italy and the game was played in Pisa. (Off topic but there was a television on the Ni bench for that game so that Shane Duffy could follow preceedings in his country's game against Bulgaria.)

[SwanVsDalton]

True. But talk about fuelling the fire. The IFA have apparently put out a motion to all members of the NI Supporters club as to whether or not they choose to boycott the Aviva match. Whilst that is undoubtedly a foolish move on their part, its statements like these that will give the IFA the authority to take the moral high ground on the issue. Also watch, over the next few years how many young 16 and 17 year old nationalists will be capped in a competitive match against the San Marinos and Andorras of this world, in order to prevent any of those baddies at the FAI getting their dirty hands on them.

Like I say, the man is an incendiary. As an underage manager, he was no stranger to shouting his mouth off and was clueless in terms of his man management style with our more "volatile" young players. Clearly he determined to continue to be just as brash and bullish in his new role.

I agree that Don Givens would be better off keeping schtum on pretty much any issue. But there's not much he can do about how the IFA treat this situation or how their fans react. The IFA 'moral high ground' is at the bottom of the hole they've dug themselves, so I'm not too concerned and anything he says is only an extra log on an already raging fire of vitriol. However this sounds an awful lot like I'm defending Don Givens, urgh, so moving on...

Ig the IFA do embark on a cap-a-thon, more bully them - players should be aware of the implications of receiving a call-up and can make their own decision accordingly. Also such an action will likely devalue and discredit the NI team.