Reading star rules out Irish switch(now says he would consider it)

**Closed Account 2** · 28/01/2006, 4:05 PM

Well, assuming they're the sort of player who doesnt want to play for Ireland, but instead would just prefer to play for any old international team - if they thought their international career might only last 2 mins in pretty much a b-team friendly the might be less inclined to pick us.

**lopez** · 28/01/2006, 4:25 PM

I think the miniimum ammount of time is 46 minutes? Good idea though!

**Qwerty** · 28/01/2006, 4:44 PM

I don't usually insult players but Kitson is a knob if he has done a 180. If he is called up we should swamp the FAI with protests.

**Irish_Praha** · 30/01/2006, 12:10 AM

I've just seen that he's 6ft 3 and he can actually play it on the ground too. He would be a very handy addition to the squad. Top scorer in the championship and has only played about 2/3 of the games. If he was another little fella like Robbie or Connolly (or McSheffrey) I would question the point in including him but we have nobody of his build available at the moment, except Saddlier and it is unknown if he will complete his comeback. Kerr said he would only look at players through the grandparent rule if they improved on what we already had and in the end he only capped Macken, who in my opinion added nothing to the squad. At least Kitson has some thing new to offer and wouldn't be taking the "big man" role from anyother young Irish prospect.
However, I hope the fact that Staunton is seeking him out doesnt indicate that we are going to revert to long ball game we played under Charlton (and yes i know Kitson has more to his game than that).

**tricky_colour** · 30/01/2006, 9:07 PM

If someone has duel nationality, I don't really see a big problem with them
choosing the team which will earn them the most money as their first
choice, if I was in the same position I would probably do the same myself.
Afterall they are not 100% any nationally but most people are 100%
commited to increasing their bank balance!!
Would you choose the lesser paid of two equal jobs?

**pete** · 30/01/2006, 10:09 PM

What would people say if Kitson got into the senior squad at the expense of Doyle.

This is supposed to be a NATIONAL team that represents this country. Only people who see all their football on tv & play computer games coul;d welcome mercenaries playing in the irish team.

**Peadar** · 30/01/2006, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

I don't usually insult players but Kitson is a knob if he has done a 180.

Kitson has told Reading FC official website that he has not changed his mind. He said that he is being hounded by the same journalists who keep asking the same question, trying to create a story where there isn't one.

Too many tabloid readers on these forums lately.

**eirebhoy** · 30/01/2006, 11:14 PM

"Since the change of management there's been talk about this again.

"First time around I practically set in stone that I was not interested, as flattered as I was.

"It's a little frustrating that journalists can ask a question, then six months later they can ask again and think the answer will change. It's the same people asking me again, looking for a story that does not exist, I'm afraid.

"I'm flattered to be considered good enough to play for them, but I reiterate what I said first time around. To me, my family is not Irish. I've only ever had English family around me, my parents were born in north London, so was I, and as far as I'm concerned I'm English.

"But that in no way means I'm only holding out to play for England. I'm not naive enough to think I'm good enough, so it's really not for that purpose.

"This is purely because of my principles. I don't agree that you should be eligible because of your grandparents. Where do you draw the line? What about great-grandparents or great-great grandparents? For me it's just about parents or where you were born and brought up.

"This is just my own little stand against a rule. It might get headlines but it won't really make any difference and in two weeks it'll be forgotten. I just don't want to compromise my principles.

"I've only ever heard a few rumours about an Irish call up. I felt this way before I even considered Ireland though. I've always supported England.

"All this has come to my attention even more now that we've got Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Stephen Hunt here. Let's say I play and therefore stand in the way of someone like them, who is 100% Irish and would give anything to play for their country. I would feel a hyprocrite and be denying them a chance they deserve."

"It's something I have had to think about, it's surreal to even think that us playing together for Ireland could happen but I stand by my beliefs.

"I won't be a player that denies any emerging Irish talent a chance to play in a World Cup or European Championships.

"This is definitely the right decision for me. Lots of people can't understand it but I'm not asking them to. I've not made this decision to affect people or gain respect.

"It's annoying that some people in the game look at this from a financial point of view. They say I could play and up my value and up my wages but that disappoints me so much, it really does.

"People with no morals have been telling me what to do, and to tell me to do it for financial gain is just so disappointing. I don't need to be told by anyone."

**Dodge** · 30/01/2006, 11:33 PM

Right, thats him sorted. Now on to McSheffrey

**Qwerty** · 31/01/2006, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by Peadar

Kitson has told Reading FC official website that he has not changed his mind. He said that he is being hounded by the same journalists who keep asking the same question, trying to create a story where there isn't one.

Too many tabloid readers on these forums lately.

You will have noted that I underlined the 'if', are you suggesting I read a tabloid? I admit to being a snob and appropriately bristled by such a suggestion sir

.

**Fergie's Son** · 31/01/2006, 4:51 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

"Since the change of management there's been talk about this again.

"First time around I practically set in stone that I was not interested, as flattered as I was.

"It's a little frustrating that journalists can ask a question, then six months later they can ask again and think the answer will change. It's the same people asking me again, looking for a story that does not exist, I'm afraid.

"I'm flattered to be considered good enough to play for them, but I reiterate what I said first time around. To me, my family is not Irish. I've only ever had English family around me, my parents were born in north London, so was I, and as far as I'm concerned I'm English.

"But that in no way means I'm only holding out to play for England. I'm not naive enough to think I'm good enough, so it's really not for that purpose.

"This is purely because of my principles. I don't agree that you should be eligible because of your grandparents. Where do you draw the line? What about great-grandparents or great-great grandparents? For me it's just about parents or where you were born and brought up.

"This is just my own little stand against a rule. It might get headlines but it won't really make any difference and in two weeks it'll be forgotten. I just don't want to compromise my principles.

"I've only ever heard a few rumours about an Irish call up. I felt this way before I even considered Ireland though. I've always supported England.

"All this has come to my attention even more now that we've got Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Stephen Hunt here. Let's say I play and therefore stand in the way of someone like them, who is 100% Irish and would give anything to play for their country. I would feel a hyprocrite and be denying them a chance they deserve."

"It's something I have had to think about, it's surreal to even think that us playing together for Ireland could happen but I stand by my beliefs.

"I won't be a player that denies any emerging Irish talent a chance to play in a World Cup or European Championships.

"This is definitely the right decision for me. Lots of people can't understand it but I'm not asking them to. I've not made this decision to affect people or gain respect.

"It's annoying that some people in the game look at this from a financial point of view. They say I could play and up my value and up my wages but that disappoints me so much, it really does.

"People with no morals have been telling me what to do, and to tell me to do it for financial gain is just so disappointing. I don't need to be told by anyone."

I'm liking Kitson more and more. Seems like a stand-up guy.

**Den Perry** · 31/01/2006, 7:30 AM

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

I'm liking Kitson more and more. Seems like a stand-up guy.

Whereas I would have welcomed Kitson on board, he really seems like an honest and principled guy. Best of luck to him whatever he does

**as_i_say** · 31/01/2006, 8:22 AM

indeed-theres no doubt stan would have called him up being a striker if he had showed any interest so fair play to him. He'll probably never get a game for England so it really says a lot about his character.

**Peadar** · 31/01/2006, 8:55 AM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

I admit to being a snob and appropriately bristled by such a suggestion sir

.

I used your post as an example of what was being posted in general. It wasn't aimed at you.

You can take offence if you've nothing better to be doing. That's your own business. It's a bit sad really that you're too much of a snob to reasearch something before you comment though.

**tetsujin1979** · 31/01/2006, 9:28 AM

From today's Indo, hopefully this will be the end of it all
http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1552200

However, Reading striker Dave Kitson reiterated that under no circumstances will he be playing for Ireland in the future.

"I'm flattered to be considered good enough to play for them," he said. "But I reiterate what I said first time around. To me, my family is not Irish.

"I've only ever had English family around me, my parents were born in north London, so was I, and as far as I'm concerned I'm English."