[loz]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle2922733.ece

Gordon Brown has backed the reinstatement of the home football internationals after the British teams all failed to qualify for next year’s European Championships.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to include the Republic of Ireland in that too?

Or what about a "Not the Euro 2008 Finals", in which all the other teams finishing 3rd and 4th in their groups take part.


I wonder if England have the guts to face Ireland, Scotland and Wales though in their current managerless state.

I reckon they will see a nice little worldwide tour of friendlies more lucrative. Lots more opportunities for the "Celebs" and wags to go shopping and sign autographs... without the risk of playing an actual competitive match where the result might count for something.

[danaldinho7]

this would be a good idea and espeically if Ireland got involved as they're a good team...howver a series of friendlies in the far east is more likely to happen

or what would be cool if it was an invitation tournament and invited some good sides to get involved

[thfccambs]

What happened to everyone complaining "our lads play to many games?"
Or are things that bad we have to do anything to pay for that stadium?

[overkill]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

What happened to everyone complaining "our lads play to many games?"
Or are things that bad we have to do anything to pay for that stadium?

Because in reality we know it's a load of overpaid Ponce's whining about having to do not a lot, and getting paid outrageously for it?

I think it's a good idea. The only reason it was scrapped was because Wales and NI started getting too many points off England and Scotland........ It gave all the teams a series of competitive matches every year, and we didn't, as a result, have to keep playing meaningless friendlies. It also meant that the teams got to play 'as a team' over three matches. If we invited in the Republic as well, that would make four.

One of the other off puts was the lack of stadia bar Wembley. That's no longer the case either. Hampdens back in the mint, Wales have an excellent national stadium, and the Republic can play at Croke. Only NI need to sort out Windsor Park.

[danaldinho7]

each should have a turn hosting the tournament though...a joint bid for n. ireland and rep. ireland

deffo first one should be in Eng. though as we have the best stadiums

[Steven]

Ignoring aside the cynic in me who is sceptical and suspicious of Brown's sudden(?) and apparent interest in football... I say go for it

If the FA are insistent on not getting rid of friendlies from the calendar because they have 800 million reasons, at least make them mean something and make England in particular take them more seriously and actually derive some benefit from them

Of course had this been on this year, that Scotland joke thread wouldn't have been started

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by overkill

Because in reality we know it's a load of overpaid Ponce's whining about having to do not a lot, and getting paid outrageously for it?

I think it's a good idea. The only reason it was scrapped was because Wales and NI started getting too many points off England and Scotland........ It gave all the teams a series of competitive matches every year, and we didn't, as a result, have to keep playing meaningless friendlies. It also meant that the teams got to play 'as a team' over three matches. If we invited in the Republic as well, that would make four.

One of the other off puts was the lack of stadia bar Wembley. That's no longer the case either. Hampdens back in the mint, Wales have an excellent national stadium, and the Republic can play at Croke. Only NI need to sort out Windsor Park.

Don't get me wrong Overkill i'd be well up for it,nothing better then invading Scotland.

Seriously,Would be nothing but trouble all over the place though.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by danaldinho7

each should have a turn hosting the tournament though...a joint bid for n. ireland and rep. ireland

deffo first one should be in Eng. though as we have the best stadiums

Well having been to all that would be involved i would prefer Wales.Lot easier to get from the pub to the ground and i'd probably get home a lot quicker the i do from Wembley.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Don't get me wrong Overkill i'd be well up for it,nothing better then invading Scotland.

Seriously,Would be nothing but trouble all over the place though.

Probably. But then I think that's one of the reasons for increased street and gang violence over the last decade or so. I bet you, if you took the figures for the rise in street crime and then compared them with the tail off in football violence, the two would correspond.

After all, boys will be boys.............

[danaldinho7]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Well having been to all that would be involved i would prefer Wales.Lot easier to get from the pub to the ground and i'd probably get home a lot quicker the i do from Wembley.

you been to Old Trafford? tramlink from the ground to Manchester Picadilly and there's a pub literally 1 minute walking distance from the ground

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by danaldinho7

you been to Old Trafford? tramlink from the ground to Manchester Picadilly and there's a pub literally 1 minute walking distance from the ground

Loads of time but

England play at Wembley
Wales play at Millennium stadium
ROI play at Croke Park/Lansdowne Road
N.Ireland play at Windsor PK
Jocks play at Hampden PK

So why are you on about Old Trafford?
If we was on about playing football games at grounds near pubs they would all be played @ WHL as theres 40 odd pubs within a mile.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Loads of time but

England play at Wembley
Wales play at Millennium stadium
ROI play at Croke Park/Lansdowne Road
N.Ireland play at Windsor PK
Jocks play at Hampden PK

So why are you on about Old Trafford?
If we was on about playing football games at grounds near pubs they would all be played @ WHL as theres 40 odd pubs within a mile.

Yeah, but you take your life in your hands going into most of em'. However, I am speaking as an Arsenal fan.............

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by overkill

Yeah, but you take your life in your hands going into most of em'. However, I am speaking as an Arsenal fan.............

Should of stayed in South East London then.

[steviebwoy]

Can't see it happening to be honest. A poor man's (see team's) European Championships. Doubt the players would be motivated knowing where they could be playing if they hadn't messed up qualifying.

Besides, why should we all celebrate failure with some Mickey Mouse "loser's tournament" as consolation? Can't see it happening to be honest..

[Decadence]

I'd be up for it but don't think the club managers would be...it would be an unsecessary risk to their players in what would undoubtedly be some heated games...then there's the crowd trouble to think about.

[Sonic67]

Isn't Brown just trying to be one of the lads and deflect attention from Northern Rock, and losing the data of 25m people?

[Artie Fufkin]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Loads of time but

England play at Wembley
Wales play at Millennium stadium
ROI play at Croke Park/Lansdowne Road
N.Ireland play at Windsor PK
Jocks play at Hampden PK

"Jocks" ... Some might find that offensive and bordering on racism.

[danaldinho7]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Loads of time but

England play at Wembley
Wales play at Millennium stadium
ROI play at Croke Park/Lansdowne Road
N.Ireland play at Windsor PK
Jocks play at Hampden PK

So why are you on about Old Trafford?
If we was on about playing football games at grounds near pubs they would all be played @ WHL as theres 40 odd pubs within a mile.

why would we have to limit all the games to playing them at the national stadium(s)

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by danaldinho7

why would we have to limit all the games to playing them at the national stadium(s)

Well in the case of England they need to pay for the bloody place.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by kherm

"Jocks" ... Some might find that offensive and bordering on racism.

Well i drink with a good 10/15 lads from Aberdeen on most match days at Spurs and none of them are ever offended when its said.

Maybe it's just you?If so im sorry if i offended you.

[DJT75]

Would be tricky Gordon, the FA would have to rearrange their NFL bookings to accommodate.

This should happen annually anyway, spread out during the domestic season, 5 Nations, 4 games, alternate years - home & away.

However, a little multi-stadia tournament in the summer suits me

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by DJT75

Would be tricky Gordon, the FA would have to rearrange their NFL bookings to accommodate.

This should happen annually anyway, spread out during the domestic season, 5 Nations, 4 games, alternate years - home & away.

However, a little multi-stadia tournament in the summer suits me

Don't think many Premiership managers would be to happy do you?

[Artie Fufkin]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Well i drink with a good 10/15 lads from Aberdeen on most match days at Spurs and none of them are ever offended when its said.

Maybe it's just you?If so im sorry if i offended you.

No problem from me hunts . I don't really care either way about the name myself. It's just I do know most of my pals HATE being called Jocks. They see it as derogatory and not a term of endearment. But some folk are sensitive that way.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by kherm

No problem from me hunts . I don't really care either way about the name myself. It's just I do know most of my pals HATE being called Jocks. They see it as derogatory and not a term of endearment. But some folk are sensitive that way.

Always found you scots argumentative.

[geomuss]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Always found you scots argumentative.

your damn right, we will argue black is white........ whats the bets thats not PC.

I think this is a bit of a knee jerk reaction by the home nations, though i heard Gordon Smith from the Scottish FA say he was in talks with Wales, N and R ireland about a Celtlc cup before this arose.

As a supporter im well up for it, Its has been long overdue that this tournament was re-instated.

Surely the hooligan element is well passed by now, and with proper policing there should not be a problem anyway.

Apart from us ripping down the posts again at the New wembley after a terrific touchdown..... sorry mean goal!!!

[overkill]

Originally Posted by DJT75

Would be tricky Gordon, the FA would have to rearrange their NFL bookings to accommodate.

This should happen annually anyway, spread out during the domestic season, 5 Nations, 4 games, alternate years - home & away.

However, a little multi-stadia tournament in the summer suits me

Ouch! Too bloody true though............ the pitch after that stupid yank fiasco, was cut to ribbons. Still, what do expect when blokes the size of brick privys wearing half a ton of body armour throw themselves aimlessly around on it!

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Don't think many Premiership managers would be to happy do you?

In place of meaningless overseas friendlies, they'd probably welcome it. Might give the ones that need it some passion too.

Originally Posted by overkill

Ouch! Too bloody true though............ the pitch after that stupid yank fiasco, was cut to ribbons. Still, what do expect when blokes the size of brick privys wearing half a ton of body armour throw themselves aimlessly around on it!

Still a bunch of girls though compared to real physical games

How much is a new pitch nowadays? £200K? £300K? Whatever it is, you can guarantee the FA spend the equivalent amount Wining & Dining a load of suits at Wembley on Wednesday instead of putting a new pitch in. Still baffles me how it seems nobody thought, hold on a minute, this is the most important game for 14 years & the pitch is totally

[thfccambs]

In place of meaningless overseas friendlies, they'd probably welcome it. Might give the ones that need it some passion too.

Clubs will be looking to book tours now in Asia and will be wanting to take there star players,there be looking at this now a chance to make more £.

[pixelpixel]

Do you remember the last match with the RoI vs Eng More chuck the seats and burn some flags than watch the football match.

No thank you!

N.Ireland play at Windsor PK - Not for much longer and anyway! Its a dump. Your better off spending your money on the Belfast wheel than going to the match

[mason]

i would be for the cup being re-instated. some home nation rivalry would be good... long overdue.

as posters have said before- the friendy games mean nothing and there is no real point... and its not like any team puts out their best do they?