Following the News, back in June, that the FAs of Scotland Wales and NI had all objected to the proposal to create a Team GB for the 2012 Olympics I issued this press release:-
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
The English Democrats condemn GB Football team plan
British Olympic Association and F.A. plan tramples on English interests
English Democrats’ Chairman, Robin Tilbrook, has joined Plaid Cymru’s, Bethan Jenkins, in slamming the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) decision to announce that a GB football team will take part in the London Olympics in 2012.
Mr Tilbrook offered his full support to the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs who have all condemned the announcement and confirmed that they had not agreed the plan nor taken part in any recent discussions which has been claimed by the BOA. He also criticized the English FA’s betrayal in supporting this plan.
The English Democrats’ Chairman, Robin Tilbrook, said:
“These plans pose a very serious threat to the future of football in England and the English International football team. For that reason it is extremely worrying that the BOA has made this statement and sought to further their damaging agenda.”
“It is particularly upsetting to see that the (English) Football Association (F.A.) and its puppet organization, the “official England Football Supporters Club” have betrayed the interests both of the English sporting nation and also of England’s football supporters. What more could we expect from the pretentions of an England only FA that cannot even bring itself to mention either England or English in its title?”
“We know that some influential forces within world football are more than keen to further a case to scrap the individual identities of the nations of the UK. The plans that the BOA has today laid out would be a gift for those forces and a hammer-blow for those who wish to maintain England’s independence as a footballing nation.”
ENDS
Now I see that the sellout of English Football by the FA is continuing apace as the Daily Record reported on the 20th October:-
Team GB football side becomes reality with appointment of coaches Stuart Pearce & Hope Powell
Oct 20 2011
FORMER England international Stuart Pearce and England Womens’ boss Hope Powell were today named as the head coaches of the British football teams for the London 2012 Olympics.
England Under-21 manager Pearce will be in charge of the men’s Olympic team, which could yet include David Beckham as an over-age player, while Powell will make history when she leads out the first Team GB squad to take part in the Olympic women’s football competition.
Powell, 44, has been England Women’s head coach since 1998, leading her side to four successive major finals including the Euro 2009 final.
Team GB was today made a reality despite strong objections – most notably from the SFA whose Chief Executive Stewart Regan today repeated his opposition to the plan.
However, an “extremely proud” Pearce, 49, who also coaches within Fabio Capello’s England senior set-up, said: “I’m very much looking forward to getting started.
“I was fortunate to be part of Euro 96, so I know how special it can be to play for your country on home soil at a major tournament.
“I’m sure this group of players will relish being part of not only a huge tournament in this country, but a unique one competing together and representing the UK.”
The Olympics will be an ideal chance to build on the Euro 2005 experience, which was also hosted in England, according to Powell.
She said: “The attendances at the games during Euro 2005 were a sign of progress for women’s football in this country, and it helped provide a platform for what has happened since then.
“From those finals where the players were playing against the best teams in Europe and in front of huge crowds, there was a real surge of enthusiasm.
“I think with the exposure and interest in the Olympics in this country we could see a similar impact from the tournament next summer.
“I’m delighted to be in the position to be able to take a team into such an illustrious tournament. I just wish it were starting tomorrow.”
The Football Association appointments, announced at Wembley Stadium where the Olympic finals will be held, are the first key step towards the tournament for the British sides which have been dogged by rows over the make-up and home region nationality of the team.
The British Olympic Association (BOA) struck a deal with The FA in June for Team GB to return to the pitch in a men’s Olympic football competition for the first time since the Rome 1960 Games and a debut Olympic appearance for the women’s squad.
This sparked an immediate outcry from by the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Football Associations who fear the possible impact on their independent status at Fifa if they join forces with the English.
Team selection will be non-discriminatory in terms of nationality, the BOA insist.
Players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories who fall under the BOA’s remit as a National Olympic Committee can be considered for selection if they hit the approved competitive standard in line with the Olympic Charter, the BOA stressed.
Team GB managers will start to build a long list of potential players. They have to confirm their interest and availability to compete, if selected, following discussions with their respective professional clubs and Home Associations.
Beckham, the former England captain, has always stressed that he would like to fill one of the three potential spots available for players aged over 23 in an Olympic team.
As competition draws closer, this list will be cut. An announcement of the two squads will be made in the summer of 2012.
FA Chairman David Bernstein said: “I am delighted for both Hope and Stuart that they will lead us into next summer’s Olympic football tournament. With their excellent track record and experience I am convinced we have chosen the best coaches for these positions.
“These are important appointments given the unique nature of Team GB competing at London 2012. It will be a massive opportunity to take football into the Olympic arena, and for a group of players to take part in a truly special tournament on home soil.”
Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt said: “We welcome the FA’s appointment of Hope Powell and Stuart Pearce – two managers who share experience of competing in major competition on home soil, as well as a great passion to proudly represent Team GB in the Olympic Games.
“When Hope leads the Team GB women’s football team out for their first match at the London 2012 Olympic Games, she will be making history. Team GB has never before been represented in the Olympic women’s football competition and we are delighted that she will have the opportunity to do so on home soil in front of our passionate fans.”
I notice that there is now a website campaigning against Team GB
Click here to view it >>> http://www.noteamgb.com/
