Brown calls for return of Home Tournement in 2008

[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

[LFC_SL]

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.