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Revision as of 01:49, 14 December 2011

"Great Britain national football team" redirects here. For the full team of the United Kingdom, see United Kingdom national football team.
This article is about the Great Britain men's team. For the Great Britain women's team, see Great Britain and Northern Ireland women's Olympic football team.

Great Britain
Shirt badge/Association crest
AssociationThe FA (1908–1972; 2011-)
Head coachStuart Pearce [1]
CaptainNone appointed
Most caps???
Top scorer???
FIFA codeGBR
First colours
FIFA ranking
CurrentN/A
First international
United Kingdom Great Britain and Ireland 12 - 1 Sweden Sweden
(London; 20 October 1908)
Biggest win
United Kingdom Great Britain and Ireland 12 - 1 Sweden Sweden
(London; 20 October 1908)
Biggest defeat
Bulgaria Bulgaria 6 - 1 Great Britain United Kingdom
(Melbourne, Australia; 30 November 1956)
Olympic Games
Appearances6-8 [2] (first in 1908)
Best resultGold: 1908,[2] 1912[2]
Olympic medal record
Men's Football
Gold medal – first place 1908 London Team
Gold medal – first place 1912 Stockholm[2] Team

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team (also known as Team GB or prior to 1922 as Great Britain and Ireland Olympic football team) represents Great Britain and Northern Ireland in international football competitions in the Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players. The team first competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics, controlled by the English Football Association (FA) [3] and competed in or attempted to qualify for a further ten Olympic Games, up to and including the 1972 Games. The team was controlled by the FA as an off-shoot of the English national amateur football team for this period, though occupationally players from the rest of the UK competed for the team. After the FA abolished the distinction between amateur and professional players, and thus abolished the amateur team, the Olympic side was also disbanded.

The Olympic football team has been reformed, again run by the FA, for the 2012 Olympic Games, which are to be hosted in London, in the UK.[4][5] The team's coach is Stuart Pearce, who will be permitted to select players from across the UK. [1] The national football associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all oppose their players being selected for the team. [6]

Pre 1972 team

Origins and Composition

When the world's first football association, The Football Association (FA), was formed in 1863, its geographical remit was not clear: there was no specification of whether it covered just England, the UK as a whole or even the entire world. The question was answered when the Scottish Football Association (SFA) was founded in 1873. The third national football association, the Football Association of Wales was founded in 1876 and a fourth, the Irish Football Association, (IFA), was founded in 1880.

Football therefore developed with separate national teams representing separate associations for each of the countries of the United Kingdom and no 'United Kingdom football association' was ever formed. When football was held as a demonstration sport at the 1900 Olympic Games, club teams entered with Upton Park representing the UK. Upton Park won the gold medal, which has since been retroactively awarded by the International Olympic Committee as a full gold. For the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the FA persuaded the IOC to include a football tournament, which they organised.[3] A team, made up entirely of English players, was entered.[7] Some sources continue to refer to this team as the England national amateur football team,[3] whilst others still simply label all participations as Great Britain.[8] Although the team competed as the United Kingdom and are listed as such, the official match report refers to "the English team". [9] An arrangement was reached with the other Home Nations' FAs, under which a Great Britain team consisting of amateur players organised by the FA would enter future tournaments.

The composition and of this team varied over time. Squads were predominantly made up of English players, although in some years non-English players were involved.[10][11]

Tournaments

Great Britain won the first Olympics football tournament in 1908, which was hosted in London. The football tournament was organised by the FA and all the matches were played at White City Stadium. [12] Great Britain won all three of their matches, defeating Sweden and Netherlands in the first two rounds. They met Denmark in the final, defeating them 2-0 with goals from Vivian Woodward and Frederick Chapman. [13]

Great Britain won again at the 1912 Games. [14][15] Repeating the 1908 tournament form, Britain won all three matches and defeated Denmark in the final, this time 4-2. Woodward, who scored in the previous final, was captain for this tournament. [16] The team withdrew from the 1924 and 1928 Games over disputes surrounding professionalism, which eventually led to the withdrawal of the Home Nations from FIFA, and the creation of the FIFA World Cup.[17]

Following this, Great Britain competed from 1948 through to 1972, though they failed to qualify for all Games after 1960. Their most successful tournament came in 1948, which was also hosted in London. Having lost the semi-final to Yugoslavia, Britain once again faced Denmark. This time, however, they were defeated 5-3 and missed out on a bronze medal. [18] Wembley Stadium hosted Great Britain's final two matches, though they also played at Craven Cottage and Highbury.

After 1948, Great Britain were never a significant threat at the Olympics again. In 1952 they lost to Luxembourg, whilst Great Britain's final match was a 5-0 qualifying round defeat by Bulgaria national side [14] in 1971 following a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium against the same team.[19] After the Football Association scrapped the distinction between professional and amateur players in 1974, no more British Olympic teams were entered.

1972 to 2008

In 1972, Olympic regulations were relaxed to allow professionals to take part, but no GB team has been entered. Each of the Home Nations enters the European Under–21 Championship, which functions as the European qualifying competition for the Olympics. This means that a Great Britain team cannot qualify, although there have been examples in the past where an individual home nation would have qualified if it had been eligible.

The British Olympic Association initially refused to rule out the possibility of entry for the 2008 Summer Olympics,[20] but a team was not entered. England qualified for the Olympics by reaching the semi-finals of the 2007 Under–21 Championship, but Italy took their vacated place by winning a play-off match against Portugal. The England women's team also qualified for the 2008 Olympics, through their performance in the 2007 World Cup. They were denied a place at the Olympics because the other three Home Nations refused to give their consent.[21]

London 2012

Due to London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the United Kingdom had the right to enter a team in the football tournament as host nation. The British Olympic Association stated it would enter a football team,[4] but the Scottish Football Association refused even to attend meetings at which the Home Nations were to discuss the possibility[22] and the Football Association of Wales withdrew from the negotiations.[23] In October 2007 the Irish Football Association (the association for Northern Ireland) also announced that they would not take part in a unified team, leaving the English FA as the only association willing to take part.

A 2005 opinion poll published by the British Olympic Association claimed that a majority of Scots supported the creation of a team for the 2012 Olympics.[24] A joint statement issued by the official fan clubs of all four Home Nations voiced their opposition to the plan.[25] Various prominent politicians also offered their opinion as to whether there should be a British team in the 2012 Olympics. Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated during the 2008 Olympics that he wanted a British team and would work towards that happening, although he acknowledged that it could affect the autonomy of the Home Nations.[26] First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond then stated his opposition to a British team, arguing that Brown must be "seriously out of touch with Scotland" to support it.[27]

The SFA's opposition to the plans were rooted primarily in the fear that the Home Nations would be forced to field a combined team in all competitions.[22] This would mean the loss of the special status of the Home Nations, established under FIFA's constitution.[28] FIFA President Sepp Blatter had given assurances to each of the British Associations that their status would not be affected by fielding a combined team in 2012.[29] The SFA refused to change its position, arguing that Blatter's personal opinion and permission might not matter once he has left office, and that they did not wish to jeopardise their status.[22]

Blatter seemed to change his view in March 2008, when he stated that "they should enter only a team composed of players from England"[30] and he suggested that the independent status of the four British associations could be harmed by a unified team.[30] UEFA chief executive David Taylor, a former chief executive of the SFA, said in August 2008 that a British Olympic team would threaten the existence of the individual home nations.[31] Taylor also said that the unique status of the Home Nations had come under attack before from other FIFA members, and that it was "difficult to see what guarantees could be given" to protect that status.[31] At a conference held in conjunction with the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, the prospect of a UK team for the 2012 Olympics was discussed by the FIFA Executive Committee, who gave their approval.[32]

The executive committee confirmed that the participation in the 2012 London Olympic Games of a single team representing Great Britain would not affect the existing individual status of the four British football associations. For the Olympic Games, they have to play in one entity. The ball is now in their turf..We expect a solution that will be presented to us for the month of March.[32]

A compromise was eventually reached between the four associations, whereby a squad of English players only would represent the United Kingdom.[5] The football associations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales sent a joint letter to FIFA stating that they would not participate, but that they would not object to England participating alone.[5] This agreement was challenged by the British Olympic Association, who want to select players from all four countries and claimed it would be potentially discriminatory to only select English players.[6] Jim Boyce has commented that there is no legal restriction on players being selected by the BOA[6] and the Scottish FA has admitted that it would have no legal grounds to prevent Scottish players from participating.[33] The FA announced in October 2011 that Stuart Pearce would be the head coach. The team is expected to play two friendlies in 2012, prior to the Olympic tournament.[34]

In November 2011, world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene spoke in opposition to Team GB.[35] Greene said that he felt that there should not be an Olympic football tournament because it is not the pinnacle of that sport.[35] He also expressed fears that coverage of the football team would overshadow interest in the other competitors.[35] Greene claimed that his attitude would be shared by most other athletes.[35]

Forthcoming Fixtures

Great Britain are expected to play two friendlies prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics football tournament. [36] These matches must not take place at venues which will be used during the Olympics tournament. Villa Park in Birmingham has been suggested as a likely venue,[37] with both friendlies taking place as part of a 'double-header' with matches from the women's Olympic team. [36]

During the Olympic tournament, Great Britain will compete at the following times and venues:

26 July 2012 2012 Olympics Great Britain  v Manchester
Stadium: Old Trafford
29 July 2012 2012 Olympics Great Britain  v London
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
1 August 2012 2012 Olympics Great Britain  v Cardiff
Stadium: Millennium Stadium

Olympic record, coaches and squads

1908 Great Britain and Ireland Olympic Football team
Olympics Record
Year Coach [38] Squad Round Position GP W D L GS GA
Greece 1896 No football tournament
France 1900 Did Not Enter: Upton Park F.C. represented UK
United States 1904 Did Not Enter
United Kingdom 1908 Alfred Davis 1908 squad Gold Medal 1 3 3 0 0 18 1
Sweden 1912 Adrian Birch 1912 squad Gold Medal 1 3 3 0 0 15 2
Belgium 1920 George Latham 1920 sqaud Round 1 - 1 0 0 1 1 3
France 1924 Withdrew
Netherlands 1928
United States 1932 No football tournament
Germany 1936 Stanley Rous 1936 squad Quarter Finals - 2 1 0 1 6 5
United Kingdom 1948 Matt Busby 1948 squad Semi Finals 4 4 2 0 2 7 11
Finland 1952 Walter Winterbottom 1952 squad Preliminary Round - 1 0 0 1 3 5
Australia 1956 Norman Creek 1956 squad Quarter Finals - 1 0 0 1 1 6
Italy 1960 1960 squad Round 1 - 3 1 1 1 8 8
Japan 1964 Charles Hughes Did Not Qualify
Mexico 1968
Germany 1972
Canada 1976 Did Not Enter
Soviet Union 1980
United States 1984
South Korea 1988
Spain 1992
United States 1996
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012 Stuart Pearce [1] Qualified - - - - - - -
Total 9/25 2 Medals 18 10 1 7 49 36

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c "Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell to lead GB Olympic teams". BBC Sport. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d There have been a variety of teams representing the United Kingdom at the Olympic Games. This team in its early years was the England national amateur football team playing in the colours of the United Kingdom. Sources differ as to whether this team should be considered a UK national team or an England national team
  3. ^ a b c Scoring for Britain Beck, Peter J. 1999; Routledge: 55
  4. ^ a b 'GB football team to enter Games', BBC Sport, 30 September 2006.
  5. ^ a b c Nations pave way for 2012 GB team, BBC Sport, 29 May 2009.
  6. ^ a b c "London 2012 Olympics: Gareth Bale and non-English players have 'legal right' to play for Team GB". Daily Telegraph. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  7. ^ Football at the 1908 London Olympics Sports-Reference.com
  8. ^ Football Tournament of the Olympic Games - Overview RSSF. Retrieved 12-12-08.
  9. ^ Template:PDF . The British Olympic Council, 1908. Accessed 10-11-11
  10. ^ Ronnie Simpson, www.sports-reference.com
  11. ^ Modest Hopes of British XI at Melbourne The Times; 15 November 1956; Subscription
  12. ^ 1908 Olympic Football: The First World Cup More Than Mind Games. Accessed 10-11-11
  13. ^ I Olympic Football Tournament (London 1908) Linguasport. Accessed 10-11-11
  14. ^ a b "Happy to discuss Olympic team". The Football Association. 10 July 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  15. ^ Games of the IV Olympiad. Aarhus, Lars; RSSSF, 15 October 1999. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  16. ^ II Olympic Football Tournament (Stockholm 1912) Linguasport. Accessed 10-11-11
  17. ^ Arnold, A.J. Tony. 2004. Harnessing the Forces of Commercialism: The Financial Development of the Football Association, 1863-1975 Sport in Society 7 (2) 232-248. Accessed 10-04-10, subscription required
  18. ^ VII Olympic Football Tournament (London 1948) Linguasport. Accessed 10-11-11
  19. ^ "OTD: Football Olympians - The GB Olympic team played its last 'home' fixture on this day in 1971". The FA. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  20. ^ "Britain looks to Beijing after Scotland's snub to 2012 Games". Goodbody, John; The Times, 12 November 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  21. ^ Caborn blasts women's Games snub, BBC Sport, 4 December 2007.
  22. ^ a b c No Scots for GB Olympic football, BBC Sport, 11 November 2005.
  23. ^ Wales oppose GB Olympic football, BBC Sport, 6 December 2005.
  24. ^ Mackay, Duncan. Survey shows Scots back united Olympic team, The Guardian, 20 October 2005.
  25. ^ "FANS GROUPS OPPOSE GB OLYMPIC TEAM". www.noteamgb.com. 1 October 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  26. ^ Brown pays tribute to GB success, BBC Sport, 24 August 2008.
  27. ^ Salmond rejects UK football team, BBC News, 25 August 2008.
  28. ^ Template:PDFlink. FIFA, 12 September 2005. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  29. ^ Smith 'excited' by Olympic team, BBC Sport, 2 September 2005.
  30. ^ a b Blatter against British 2012 team, BBC Sport, 9 March 2008.
  31. ^ a b Uefa chief warns against GB team, BBC Sport, 28 August 2008.
  32. ^ a b GB football team gets Fifa assent , BBC Sport, 20 December 2008.
  33. ^ "Great Britain Olympic football team agreement close". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  34. ^ "Stuart Pearce will be inspirational as GB football coach - Steven Taylor". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  35. ^ a b c d "Dai Greene believes football has 'no place' at Olympics". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  36. ^ a b London 2012: FA ponders Team GB Olympic celebration games BBC Sport. 26-10-11. Accessed 10-11-11
  37. ^ Team GB plan pre-Olympic friendlies in Birmingham 27-10-11. The Independent. Accessed 10-11-11
  38. ^ Stuart Pearce joins an illustrious list of GB managers When Saturday Comes 18-01-11. Accessed 20-01-11

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