" Team GB Welsh participation "

Im just throwing this out there to the forum to discuss. what are your personal views on Welsh players potentially playing in
the Olympics for Team GB. Players like Bale and Ramsey seem very keen. The initial concerns that many of the home nations FA's have is that FIFA at some point I believe did state that this may threaten our teams competing as we currently do. Certainly many european nations already pressure FIFA not happy with 4 nations, most recently Sweden voicing concerns, technically were not independent nations as such but collectively make up the UK. There are many Welsh fans who feel strongly about this and indeed a possible demo may be launched at the Norway game. Many fans on this Welsh forum clearly are against the idea.http://apostlewelshfootie.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1557

Recently FIFA have stated that they have no plans to stop the home nations even if players opt to play for TEAM GB, However should we trust them.? Would it be a bad thing to have a team gb competing at world cup and euro qualification and possibly play games at Hampden, Wembley, Millenium etc, would guarantee full houses and a better chance of doing well and may galvanise fans from the home nations together. Whats your views on it all

I don't see the need for millionairre professionals to take part in an essentially amatuer sporting event. It's not a circus....the Olympics represent to me, individuals aspiring and achieving.

We've seen millionairre tennis professionals take centre stage and now we are talking about footballers.

In my opinion, pick a non league semi pro team from each home country.

As for the Welsh lads specifically......it's a union thing really. Despite what you might want individually, if the governing body says no (because of it's genuine concerns about Sep Blatter being a cnut and going against his word!!), then they should abide by that.

Still, may get some pleasure from deeing them dicked in the final by Jamaica or Malta !!

All for it me, be good to see the likes of Ramsey and Bale on the big stage country wise cos lets face it Wales are never going to get to a finals in our lifetime.

Putting a British Lions team together in RU hasnt seen the end of the individual national teams and it wont in football either.

Its only the small minded nationalists who are dead against it. Probably the same small percentage who want the Welsh language spoken by all in Wales.

i think it will have such a negative effect on future welsh football.

when kids and future stars see bale and ramsey alongside some of englands finest.

who do u think those kids will pick to represent when they come to playing for there country.

i wish they just made a decision on this

i think it will have such a negative effect on future welsh football.

when kids and future stars see bale and ramsey alongside some of englands finest.

who do u think those kids will pick to represent when they come to playing for there country.

i wish they just made a decision on this

You cannot just pick to play for England if youve got no English ancestry you know.

Will anyone really take an interest in the football anyway? From what I understand it is the one sport that is struggling to sell tickets. Perhaps this is why they are hyping up a team GB. I've always thought it is pretty pointless having tennis, basketball, football etc in the Olympics when it is no where near the pinnacle of the sport which is what the Olympics should be.

Ther is nothing wrong with having our independent fa,s and play each other in a home nation competition every so often,but the days of the 4 fa,s are gone and ti be honest like wales,scotland and n Ireland are never going to reach the finals let alone win it,and also england are now a average team,so its due time they all along with the fans put this stupid petty beliefs behind us.
The uk is now a week nation among the world,the days of great Britain are gone,and to split a country up in to 4 separate states is stupid econemy wise and sport.
I'm not saying we should scrap the home nations but look to being able to compete rather then just take part.
We love the british lions when they travel,,if they enterd the world cup then we would be finalists every time,,as would a GB football team,and play at the three grounds,,,I'm a proud jack,welsh man,and I'm proud to be british,after all we welsh english scots and irish have all fought and died together and as a nation of GB have given the world so much,not as separate nations but as one.....yes ther should be a british team and give us all somthing to compete in not just partisapait in...
ps sorry for my grammar [code][/code]

Ther is nothing wrong with having our independent fa,s and play each other in a home nation competition every so often,but the days of the 4 fa,s are gone and ti be honest like wales,scotland and n Ireland are never going to reach the finals let alone win it,and also england are now a average team,so its due time they all along with the fans put this stupid petty beliefs behind us.
The uk is now a week nation among the world,the days of great Britain are gone,and to split a country up in to 4 separate states is stupid econemy wise and sport.
I'm not saying we should scrap the home nations but look to being able to compete rather then just take part.
We love the british lions when they travel,,if they enterd the world cup then we would be finalists every time,,as would a GB football team,and play at the three grounds,,,I'm a proud jack,welsh man,and I'm proud to be british,after all we welsh english scots and irish have all fought and died together and as a nation of GB have given the world so much,not as separate nations but as one.....yes ther should be a british team and give us all somthing to compete in not just partisapait in...
ps sorry for my grammar [code][/code]

So should all the club sides for example in Lancashire merge as none of them will win the EPL?

I don't follow rugby so don't know if our nations have the same representation on any rugby boards as the home nations do within the IFA - that may have a big thing to do with why the Lions has no negative effect.

I think we all have to work to protect our nations, we maybe weak but like everyone we have dreams and aspirations. Should this be the first step to losing the home nations then I would never be able to follow a GB side.

As soon as Scotland is free we will conquer all before us

Will anyone really take an interest in the football anyway? From what I understand it is the one sport that is struggling to sell tickets. Perhaps this is why they are hyping up a team GB. I've always thought it is pretty pointless having tennis, basketball, football etc in the Olympics when it is no where near the pinnacle of the sport which is what the Olympics should be.

Agree. Football has major tournaments such as the World Cup, Copa America, the Africa Cup of Nations and the European championships. Tennis has four 'majors', i.e. the US Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open.

All for it me, be good to see the likes of Ramsey and Bale on the big stage country wise cos lets face it Wales are never going to get to a finals in our lifetime.

Putting a British Lions team together in RU hasnt seen the end of the individual national teams and it wont in football either.

Its only the small minded nationalists who are dead against it. Probably the same small percentage who want the Welsh language spoken by all in Wales.

British Lions is a friendly tour. Not sure you've grasped the difference.

Nor are they governed by FIFA.

DIM DIOLCH!!!!!!

good thing in my opinion - Seriously dont think it will impact on the home nations competing in their own right

All for it me, be good to see the likes of Ramsey and Bale on the big stage country wise cos lets face it Wales are never going to get to a finals in our lifetime.

Putting a British Lions team together in RU hasnt seen the end of the individual national teams and it wont in football either.

Its only the small minded nationalists who are dead against it. Probably the same small percentage who want the Welsh language spoken by all in Wales.

British Lions is a friendly tour. Not sure you've grasped the difference.

Nor are they governed by FIFA.

You're not exactly endearing yourself to Welsh fans with that first sentence! Typical view of our football team! IMO, we've got a pretty good chance of making it to the World Cup!

All for it me, be good to see the likes of Ramsey and Bale on the big stage country wise cos lets face it Wales are never going to get to a finals in our lifetime.

Putting a British Lions team together in RU hasnt seen the end of the individual national teams and it wont in football either.

Its only the small minded nationalists who are dead against it. Probably the same small percentage who want the Welsh language spoken by all in Wales.

British Lions is a friendly tour. Not sure you've grasped the difference.

Nor are they governed by FIFA.

Friendly

The test matches are played with as much passion and intensity as a world cup final. They are anything but friendly.

We support gb in the olympics, why not support a football team?

As for fifa they let a million and one russian countries in the tournament why would they make the home nations join? Typicsl small minded paranoia

All for it me, be good to see the likes of Ramsey and Bale on the big stage country wise cos lets face it Wales are never going to get to a finals in our lifetime.

Putting a British Lions team together in RU hasnt seen the end of the individual national teams and it wont in football either.

Its only the small minded nationalists who are dead against it. Probably the same small percentage who want the Welsh language spoken by all in Wales.

British Lions is a friendly tour. Not sure you've grasped the difference.

Nor are they governed by FIFA.

Friendly

The test matches are played with as much passion and intensity as a world cup final. They are anything but friendly.

We support gb in the olympics, why not support a football team?

As for fifa they let a million and one russian countries in the tournament why would they make the home nations join? Typicsl small minded paranoia

Friendly tour. As in friendly matches. As in non Test matches./

Support a football team - ok, I'm sure I must just have missed any posts by you over say the last 50 years urging a Team GB side. Since, you know, there wasn't one before/

Are those million and one russian countries sitting in seats of power with regards to the rules of the game etc, a quid pro quo for bailing FIFA out previously? No?

Nah, must just be paranoia. Having head buried firmly in the ground is such a better approach.

I dont see a problem about everyone playing in a GB Olympic team.
Remember Rugby has British Lions.
Golf has the Ryder Cup.
Tennis has the Davies Cup.

WALES FOOTBALL WILL NEVER LOSE ITS IDENTITY.

So because there wasnt before there should never be one???

Scared of change are you?

I dont see a problem about everyone playing in a GB Olympic team.
Remember Rugby has British Lions.
Golf has the Ryder Cup.
Tennis has the Davies Cup.

WALES FOOTBALL WILL NEVER LOSE ITS IDENTITY.

Agree with you Annis And if Bale and Rambo are allowed to play, (imo) they will be joined by 1or 2 more welsh players in that squad.

I dont see a problem about everyone playing in a GB Olympic team.
Remember Rugby has British Lions.
Golf has the Ryder Cup.
Tennis has the Davies Cup.

WALES FOOTBALL WILL NEVER LOSE ITS IDENTITY.

Agree with you Annis And if Bale and Rambo are allowed to play, (imo) they will be joined by 1or 2 more welsh players in that squad.

We discussed it yesterday Tony.

Hugely against this...given FIFA's record and their general 'anti-home nations stance', do you really trust them??

There's the latest furore regarding the wearing of poppies on our shirts now...yet another point of conflict between us (home unions) and FIFA..

When are people going to realise that there is a lot of resentment among FIFA's ranks against the home unions! They hate the power that we collectively wield on the world stage due to us being the four oldest unions and would love to chop us down to one amalgamated union and representative team... For such a two bit competition it's just not worth it.

Wales is my country and the pride in supporting Wales comes from the heart. Losing our right to play after 130 odd years of competition would be gut wrenching.

No small minded Nationalism behind my sentiments (Polo). I'm Welsh and support Wales...terrible innit!!

There's Welsh nationalism, and there's British nationalism. Same thing really.

Tell me,who on here is proud to be british?we all love wales yes any one here feel proud to be british.
I get the feeling you are more towsrds being just welsh,if so then that is so small minded,wales is only a principality,the uk is a small county and to be able to compete these days needs all the help,,also the faw are a f*cking joke,would love to see a british team compete in all torments.wil never happen as ther are to many people stuck in the dark ages who fear change

Tell me,who on here is proud to be british?we all love wales yes any one here feel proud to be british.
I get the feeling you are more towsrds being just welsh,if so then that is so small minded,wales is only a principality,the uk is a small county and to be able to compete these days needs all the help,,also the faw are a f*cking joke,would love to see a british team compete in all torments.wil never happen as ther are to many people stuck in the dark ages who fear change

Gary.
My Fathers family were born in Egypt, My Mothers in England,I was born in Cardiff, Wales.
I feel proud to be British, if there is a war we all fight on the same side, United Kingdoms.

Don't like it myself......David beckham want's to be part of this so bad, I wouldn't be surprised if they put Boris Johnston in goal, are they going to be playing in the millennium stadium I think not, it's all on the English terms again (London)...don't do it Boys, you don't need it......keep working hard for Mr Speed

I have no argument in principle of Welsh lads wanting to play for Britain, even
though I'm a Welsh Nationalist. Britain aint such a bad group of nations, and
we all get on really, truth be told.

Erm... but hang on a minute

Notice that Stuart Pearce has already been chosen as manager of the 'British Team'

by whom may i ask?

Did the Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland FA's get a say? Did they f**k.

look deeper into this and you'll see its a totally 'English led' concept.

Its a million miles different from the British Lions, because all four Nations
are equally represented in all aspects of the squad and management.

All for it me, be good to see the likes of Ramsey and Bale on the big stage country wise cos lets face it Wales are never going to get to a finals in our lifetime.

Putting a British Lions team together in RU hasnt seen the end of the individual national teams and it wont in football either.

Its only the small minded nationalists who are dead against it. Probably the same small percentage who want the Welsh language spoken by all in Wales.

30% of people in Wales speak Welsh, but dont let that get in the way of a good story.
I would imagine most Welsh people couldnt give a f**k either way. I speak welsh and
I dont care. Nowt wrong with being proud to be British, i personally class myself as
Welsh. Its the FAW who are afraid of losing their little 'social club'.... But as ive posted...
they have been proven right on one thing already... why is Stuart Pearce the Manager, and were all
the 'home nations' consulted?

I have no argument in principle of Welsh lads wanting to play for Britain, even
though I'm a Welsh Nationalist. Britain aint such a bad group of nations, and
we all get on really, truth be told.

Erm... but hang on a minute

Notice that Stuart Pearce has already been chosen as manager of the 'British Team'

by whom may i ask?

Did the Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland FA's get a say? Did they f**k.

look deeper into this and you'll see its a totally 'English led' concept.

Its a million miles different from the British Lions, because all four Nations
are equally represented in all aspects of the squad and management.

It's English led because the Home Nations FA's stated they wanted no part of it, that Team GB could occur, run by the FA with English players.

That's why it's an "English led" concept.

That's true! if the rest of the nations wanted a part in it, they shouldn't have opposed it so much! it would be good to see a nice mixture of from each nation though!

I have no argument in principle of Welsh lads wanting to play for Britain, even
though I'm a Welsh Nationalist. Britain aint such a bad group of nations, and
we all get on really, truth be told.

Erm... but hang on a minute

Notice that Stuart Pearce has already been chosen as manager of the 'British Team'

by whom may i ask?

Did the Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland FA's get a say? Did they f**k.

look deeper into this and you'll see its a totally 'English led' concept.

Its a million miles different from the British Lions, because all four Nations
are equally represented in all aspects of the squad and management.

It's English led because the Home Nations FA's stated they wanted no part of it, that Team GB could occur, run by the FA with English players.

That's why it's an "English led" concept.

Ah right. Fair one.

Did they say that at the outset though? That Team GB would be run by the English FA?
Or did the 'Olympic organisers' offer it out to all four 'nations'?

I approached the team gb debate with an open mind but I'm yet to see any evidence whatsoever that it threatens the home nations! In fact it seems that the only real reason people don't want team gb is because they dont want to mix with England! If that's the case just say so instead of trying to scare people into thinking team gb threatens the welsh national team! So far no anti team gb supporters have been able to answer the following questions:

1. If FIFA are so desperate to do away with the home nations why haven't they done this already? Why wait for a non FIFA event to strike?

2. IF FIFA have wanted to do away with team gb for so long why is there such a significant lack of CONCRETE evidence to support this?

3. If team gb threatens the home nations then why are the English FA not in uproar like SFA and FAW?