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Kinky Gerbil

Im The Scatman
NSC Patron
Jul 16, 2003
59,241
hassocks
From BBC


Home nations consider new league
SFA chief executive David Taylor and manager Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish wants to face England at the new Wembley
Tentative talks have taken place designed to revive the Home Internationals - but with the Republic of Ireland likely to replace England.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic are said to be keen - with England and Wales less so.

But Scotland manager Alex McLeish wants to play England in a friendly at the new Wembley at the very least.

"I would relish the thought of it," he said. "I'm not one for meaningless friendlies, but this is different."

The English Football Association are compiling a list of friendlies for the new stadium.

"If the English FA are thinking about opposition for the new Wembley, I hope we're in their thoughts," said McLeish. "It would be fantastic to go there."


If England don't take part, we could have a Celtic League with an invitation to the Republic

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has confirmed his association's interest in a revived Home Internationals tournament.

"IFA chief executive Howard Wells and president Jim Boyce are very much for the Home Internationals," he told the Scotland On Sunday newspaper. "Lobbying is taking place.

"I don't think England would partake though, as getting beaten by Northern Ireland leaves the manager's job on the line.

"So, if England don't take part, we could have a Celtic League with an invitation to the Republic."

The Scottish Football Association stresses that it is "very much in the conceptual stage" but that staging the competition over two years was one possibility.

SFA chief executive David Taylor said: "We would like to see some way of introducing some format, some sort of competition.

"If we had a different European Championship, with more teams qualifying for the finals, there may be more dates freed up.

606 DEBATE: Should the Home Internationals return?

"This is all speculation because the big difficulty is finding dates in the calendar.

"If there were dates then the opportunity may arise.

"Certainly, with Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England and maybe even the Republic of Ireland, it's one of those ideas which is still kicking around."

An England Football Association spokesman said: "We only have two or three friendlies a year and it's difficult to see how the Home Nations would fit in.

"We also try to play non-European opposition to prepare for the World Cup."

And a Football Association of Wales spokesman added: "It would be hard to turn down Brazil because we had a Home Nations game."

The Home International tournament lasted for a century until 1984.
 






Trigger

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2003
40,458
Brighton
Kinky Gerbils said:
"I don't think England would partake though, as getting beaten by Northern Ireland leaves the manager's job on the line.
Please, please f***ing play England!

McClown OUT!!! :angry: :angry: :angry:
 








Pavilionaire

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
31,733
England play 6 or 7 meaningless friendlies a year, and the main purpose seems to be as a get-together for the squad.

I'm in favour of a "5 Nations" with the Republic although spread the matches out over the season. At least the matches would be competitive, worth watching and have a trophy at the end.

I'd much rather watch N Ireland vs England in a British Championship than, say, England vs Spain at St James Park.
 


bigc

New member
Jul 5, 2003
5,740
England won't take part because the money men won't see it as attractive.

It would be fun admittedly, but perhaps best left to a bygone age of Bovril and programmes that cost under 50p.
 


Pavilionaire

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
31,733
England need to fill Wembley because they owe a shedload of money. Commonsense dictates that this would be best done with matches that have meaning and something at stake.

Sven has all but killed the notion of an England friendly being either of those things, especially as we could all pick the England team blindfold.

If the FA don't like the idea of a British Championship why not come to an arrangement with France / Germany / Italy or something? They all need friendlies as well.
 




dougdeep

New member
May 9, 2004
37,732
SUNNY SEAFORD
Why not? It's better than playing countries that are just cannon fodder. (and struggling to win)
 




Oct 25, 2003
23,964
i think its a GREAT idea

our players would get match practice in USEFUL games rather than pathetic friendlies and there would be a bit of SPICE at the games
 




SussexSpur

New member
Jan 24, 2004
1,696
Finchley
:thumbsup:

Don't really remember the Home International leagues, but the Rous Cup, yes - Gough scoring a shock winner in '85, then going to see England win 'it' back in '86 with Glenn playing a blinder - and scoring a stunning diving header...!

Can't see what monumental practical difficulties stand in the way, really - after all, England could so very easily get drawn against Scotland in a competitive qualifying tournament, then what would the FA and police do, eh...?

Then again, can you imagine how confused Gordon Brown would feel?
 


surrey jim

Not in Surrey
Aug 2, 2005
18,177
Bevendean
surley we could sell out the home internationals, it is relativly cheap from all the nations to travel and the thought of THRASHING Scotland :clap2: :clap2:
 






withdeanwombat

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2005
8,795
Somersetshire
Great idea!

Open new Wembley.

Invite the Tartan Army.

Rebuild new Wembley.

Also,another chance to see our former goalkeeper!(If the Republic ARE invited.)
 




perth seagull

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
5,487
We may as well organise a tournament with Lichenstein and the Faroe Islands. The other home nations are shit now days!
 


Brovion

Totes Amazeballs
NSC Patron
Jul 6, 2003
20,345
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BRING BACK THE HOME INTERNATIONALS!

What earthly good will it do playing Scotland, Wales and Ireland(s) every year? Three or four 100 mph route-one clogging matches with the results meaningless everywhere else in the world. I'd rather have an annual tournament with France Holland and Germany - at least that would be useful preparation for World Cups and Euro Championships..

Leave the home internationals in the past with the Maximum Wage and Brylcreem.
 


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