George Hirst

I see David Hirst’s lad is playing for Scotland. He had youth England caps, but qualifies to play for Scotland through the grandparents rule. Surely it’s time to scrap that grandparents rule? I get parents and mebbe at a push the residency, but grandparents cmon!

 

Scotland and Wales would be even shitter than they already are without that rule.

 

Christ. The England teams over the years would have been even shittier!
You are aware of the irony of your post most bearing in mind the avatar in your moniker?

 

Avatar is of a Barnsley player.
Mick qualified through parent not grandparent

 

Aah. So that’s okay then.

 

Was it a young lad at Man Utd that could have a choice to play for 5 countries. Country if Birth, Parents from 2 different countries and Grandparents from 2 other countries. Bizzare was the Brothers who played against each other for Spain and Brazil.

 

Adnan Januzaj?

 

My kids qualify for Ireland through their grandparents. Their heritage from that side is just as important as their English imho.

 

I don't mind representing the country of your grandparents. What I would do is if you play 1 game at any level for a country, that is your country forever. You shouldn't be able to switch country under any rule.

 

As an adult I would agree maybe even the U21 but as a child you are heavily influenced by others and might have a completely different view as a 24 year old.

 

I agree that there should be a point of no return. I believe Grealish and Rice both represented Ireland at schoolboy level. I would go for U21 as the level where you can't go back.

 

Problem being that you'd have countries picking 15/16 year olds just in case they fulfill their potential.

 

Darren Barnard had the choice of all 4 home nations and Germany as he was born at the British Forces hospital in Rinteln.
That’s slightly bonkers

 

Round of applause for Gibraltan Scott Wiseman.

So what? It doesn't matter really does it?

Look at how England international cricket and rugby has operated over the years.

 

Same with Adam Davies although unsure if he would have qualified anyway with that surname

 

I qualify to play for the great rift valley

 

Jack Charlton, when he managed the Republic, would select a player who had an Irish Setter.

 

Tony Cascarino and his 'irish' granny.

 

It was his grandad, who was Irish. Just not his grandad.

Cascarino thought he was his grandad, but it later turned out his mum had been adopted. Her parents never told her she'd been adopted.

 

Just had my DNA result back tuther day. (Xmas present just got round to sending it a few weeks back lol. )
I qualify for 9 countries.
Biggest bonus. Both my kids are mine lol. (I think the Mrs was nervous )