Sifu

lets hope they still are come december. How funny would it be if after spending gazillions they are below us in the table at that point? I would love to see that happen. Would be brilliant!

I remember reading something that the SFA and the Welsh FA "would not being able to stop any Scottish/Welsh players if they decided to play for the GB football team".

A more updated article: Britain united for 2012 football Page last updated at 14:27 GMT, Tuesday, 21 June 2011 15:27 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Graphic Footballers from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England will be available for selection for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics. There has been opposition to all-British teams competing in London from every home nation apart from England. But the British Olympic Association said an "historic agreement" has now been reached. "It has been a long, six-year journey to get to this point," said BOA chief executive Andy Hunt. However, the BOA announcement has sparked outrage from the Scottish and Welsh FAs. Scottish Football Association president George Peat told the Press Association: "I am absolutely astounded that they have put out this statement. I know nothing about any such agreement and we want nothing to do with this tournament." Welsh FA president Phil Pritchard was equally furious, saying the FA had no right to speak on behalf of the other associations on Olympic matters. Pritchard told the Press Association: "We are not part of any agreement. The FA have no authority to speak on our behalf - they do not represent Wales whatsoever and that's a fact. "We have not discussed this at any time recently." The BOA's statement indicated that all home nations were behind the move to field a GB team made up of players from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. "The FA has consulted with its partner associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in developing the player-selection criteria and timeline," read the statement. "All four associations have received a written assurance from the secretary general of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), the international federation for football, that participation in the 2012 Olympic football tournament will in no way compromise their autonomy and independence for other Fifa-sanctioned tournaments, nor will it have any impact on their positions of leadership within the Fifa governance structure." The BOA statement went on to detail how the men's squad would be made up, explaining that it would comprise of 18 players - 15 under-23s and three 'open age' players. It added that the process of selecting players would begin later this year, while "an announcement of the managers for both Team GB sides will be made in due course". The last time Britain competed in an Olympic football event was in 1960, when the men's side failed to win a medal in Rome after beating Taiwan 3-2, drawing 1-1 with Italy and losing 4-3 to Brazil. Team GB has never fielded a women's football team at an Olympics. The statement from the BOA also quoted FA general secretary Alex Horne. "We're delighted there will be football teams representing Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics," said Horne. "It's important as the host nation, football plays its part in what is sure to be a fantastic spectacle. "We are pleased the team will be selected from players across the home nations and I'd like to thank our counterparts at the Welsh, Irish and Scottish FAs for their understanding on a difficult issue."

And Neil Taylor

Maybe Giggs might be involved in some capacity too

No doubt Becks will be involved in some capacity. I've never got the fuss about not fielding a GB team in football. I don't think NI, Wales and Scotland will lose their identity, after the olympics back to normal. I'm Welsh and I have no objection to this I know people at the FA have fears about a GB team. Rugby actually embrace the concept, I love the Lions Tours. Same here, I honestly don't think that by fielding a GB Team, FIFA will say that, "oh you must field a GB team from now." Load of bulls*** if you ask me. Good point about the Rugby!

Actually I've heard that Stuart Pearce might be managing the team......

From NWOAT: A selection of players (excluding those from England) who are eligible for the Olympics squad as they are under 23 in summer 2012 Grant Hanley, defender, Blackburn and Scotland Danny Wilson, defender, Liverpool and Scotland Neil Taylor, defender, Swansea and Wales Johnny Gorman, midfielder, Wolves and Northern Ireland Corry Evans, midfielder, Man Utd and Northern Ireland Oliver Norwood, midfielder, Man Utd and Northern Ireland Barry Bannan, midfielder, Aston Villa and Scotland James Forrest, midfielder, Celtic and Scotland Gareth Bale, midfielder, Spurs and Wales Joe Allen, midfielder, Swansea and Wales Aaron Ramsey, midfielder, Arsenal and Wales Liam Boyce, forward, Werder Bremen and Northern Ireland Sam Vokes, forward, Wolves and Wales

Thought this deserved its own thread now that this has been confirmed:

Reason: Money, money, money

It was the World Cup in 2006, he was brilliant back then. Yeah, it's a shame how his career has turned out.

Having just finished our first season back in the Premiership, I'm just weary whether we are "ready" to bid for a player with such a high amount. If we had finished 9th and thus received more money, then I'd be a little more at ease with bidding £20 million+.

The £2-5 million could finance his wages and all that imo.

£20 million for Sturridge is about too much for my liking. £15-18 million tops for me.

Definitely not liking the latest updates on Charlie.....

Nice positive article from the Chronicle there Fingers crossed that something will materialise eventually regarding these two players (especially Erdinç imo).

Yeah he was. was devistated when he left... Was my favourite player back then.

FFS, they better get Smith too.

I'm sure Barton wants what's best for the club. He just expresses it in stupid ways. ie. his tweets.