As in submarine ? Always going down ??
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Football] Andy Townsend: Lest he forgets
- Thread starter Sussex Nomad
- Start date
As in submarine ? Always going down ??
Iggle Piggle
Well-known member
- Sep 3, 2010
- 5,956
Whilst Townsend's hypocrisy is amusing, I get the Irish having the hump over this. A bloke called Declan, with a Guiness in one hand and a leprechaun on his shoulder declares himself English. Straight out the Kevin Pieterson manual of national affiliation.
Sussex Nomad
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #23
Spent his career playing in the English leagues, born in England, parentage line on one side opt out. It's ok for him, an Englishman to play for Ireland, but he uses a cop out to say his situation is different, it isn't at all.
Da Man Clay
T'Blades
- Dec 16, 2004
- 16,286
His situation is very clearly different though? He is a quarter Irish. Probably would have played for England if he was good enough granted but it’s difficult to argue that he had done similar to Rice. Townsend didn’t even play in the English youth set up.
What do you think should be the criteria for playing for an international? 50% or more of that nationality?
Our midfield quartet of Carlton Palmer, David Batty, Andy Sinton & Lee Sharpe was feared across Europe! I’m sure Townsend would have gained c.50 caps if he chose to play for us.
Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,042
I'm gonna be VERY disappointed if THAT Andy Townsend video isn't posted in this thread...
Worthing exile
New member
- May 12, 2009
- 1,219
It has always been a mess. I recall our very own Eric Young by being born in Singapore 'as a British citizen entitled him to represent any of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom at international level. He opted for Wales, despite having no family connection to that country'.
It should be only your Country of birth or your parents as the could be working abroad. Grandparents has always been stretching it too far.
It should be only your Country of birth or your parents as the could be working abroad. Grandparents has always been stretching it too far.
I'm gonna be VERY disappointed if THAT Andy Townsend video isn't posted in this thread...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skNc9RFBAek&t=100s
I can't get too bothered about this. I used to think it was really funny when there was barely an Irish accent in the Jack Charlton team - that anomaly seems more of an issue than the question of whether you can switch after playing a friendly.
None of this is as important as where have I left my slippers.
None of this is as important as where have I left my slippers.
Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,042
Lower West Stander
Well-known member
I think you're missing the point a bit on the hypocrisy thing.
Ireland have historically been massive manipulators of the qualification system. They have bent the rules repeatedly to get players to play for them under highly dubious means (McClean and Cascarino spring to mind). Townsend had never even been to Ireland before he qualified to play for them. I don't buy this one quarter Irish stuff - Rice was born in London and his parents are both English and how can Townsend claim to be in any way Irish when he hadn't even been there?
The hypocrisy lies in the fact that Ireland have suffered the loss of a player to another nation using the same system as they used claim players who weren't Irish.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
No hypocrisy at all from him. He is arguing that once you've committed to whichever nationality you chose to represent, that should be it.
He has openly said he understands WHY Rice has done it. He doesn't think it's right to play for a country and then switch. He is not arguing about the fact you can choose which country you want to play for if you qualify for more than one.
"I think once you have made the decision to play for a team, that should be it and you should get on with it."
That sums up the whole article.
Still, carry on.
He has openly said he understands WHY Rice has done it. He doesn't think it's right to play for a country and then switch. He is not arguing about the fact you can choose which country you want to play for if you qualify for more than one.
"I think once you have made the decision to play for a team, that should be it and you should get on with it."
That sums up the whole article.
Still, carry on.
WIN!
Cheers LL
The video HAS to be posted on any Townsend related thread. Those are the RULES.
oneillco
Well-known member
- Feb 13, 2013
- 1,321
Absolutely; Andy isn't questioning Declan's right to choose who he wants to play for, but whether he should have the right to swap to another country if a "better" offer comes along. It's all rather academic anyway, as he would have won F-all with RO Ireland and will win F-all with England...
Monkey Man
Your support is not that great
Ah, that's part of the charm for me. "If anything he hit it TOO well."
Weststander
Well-known member
When Townsend chose to play for another country, our central midfielders were Bryan Robson, Gazza, McMahon, Neil Webb.
You’re talking about years later post his decision in the brief Taylor era and for some unknown reason have bunged in some wingers.
blue-shifted
Banned
The restrictions on effectively choosing your nation are thankfully stricter than in Rugby, Cricket Athletics.
However they should be stricter still
Restricted to ...
Country of birth or
Parents nationality or
Country where you have lived the last 10 years
However, playing for a country at any age group ties you to playing for that team.
The idea that you can wait to see how good you are going to be before choosing a country diminishes international sport. It's not a matter of convenience.
However they should be stricter still
Restricted to ...
Country of birth or
Parents nationality or
Country where you have lived the last 10 years
However, playing for a country at any age group ties you to playing for that team.
The idea that you can wait to see how good you are going to be before choosing a country diminishes international sport. It's not a matter of convenience.
Weststander
Well-known member
Would be great, and stop the grandparents route.
Sussex Nomad
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #39
I gave up arguing the point.
mejonaNO12 aka riskit
Well-known member
To be fair, your point was incorrect.
Townsend was arguing that once you've played for a country, you shouldn't be able to switch. A point many would agree with, I imagine.
Andy Townsend never represented any other country than Ireland at any level.
The hypocrisy would be if he said 'You shouldn't be allowed to choose which country you play for"......
Quite different.