Collison a happy Welshman

Wed, 27 May 16:59:48 2009

Jack Collison has dismissed any suggestion he could become the latest player to abandon Wales and represent another country.

Following Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams' decision to opt for Australia, the country of his birth, West Ham midfielder Collison could have made a similar choice.

Neither has played a competitive international for Wales, and Perth-born Williams took the chance to join the Australian squad under FIFA rules, despite having played a dozen Wales Under-21 games. And after fighting his way back from a serious knee injury, there is still the opportunity for Watford-born Collison to also change his mind.

But the 20-year-old, named West Ham's young player of the year at the weekend, will be in the side that faces Estonia in a friendly at Llanelli on Friday. And he will certainly also play in Baku against Azerbaijan on June 6 in a World Cup qualifier to finally end all the speculation.

Collison, speaking at an event organised by the official sponsors of the Wales' team, Nationwide Building Society, said: "There was nothing in suggestions that I could decide to play for England, certainly not from me. Next weekend I can put an end to all that speculation by pulling on a red shirt and playing for Wales in my first competitive international. Then it will be over, I will have made it clear who I want to play for.

"There's such a big Welsh contingent at West Ham, if I'd done something like change my mind, I wouldn't have dared go in for training. There has never been any doubt in my mind, I have enjoyed being with Wales and I have really enjoyed it and been proud to play for the country of my grandfather."

 

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  1. Sorry about typos in last message - just off a long­ night shift!

    From Ray, on Mon 1 Jun 8:08AM

  2. From Ryan Giggs own Website "I was born in Cardiff­ to Lynne Giggs and Danny Wilsonon 29 Novemver 1973. I­ lived there until I was seven years old before we all­ moved to Manchester". Last time I visited Cardiff­ it was still in Wales so that makes Giggs as English as­ say, Owen Hargreaves that well known Canadian­ international footballer, oh sorry thats Hargreaves­ elder brothest who chose to represent the country of­ his birth - Owen of course plays for England, a country­ he wasn't born in and had never lived in until he­ signed for Manchester United - after he had won more­ than 30 Internatiomal caps.

    From Ray, on Mon 1 Jun 8:04AM

  3. Ryan Giggs was born and raised in England to Welsh­ parents so for him it maybe a little more forgivable­ but he's English maybe he just to be a big fish in­ a little or wanted to keep mum and dad happy, but a­ great player, I just wish he'd fulfilled his­ potential and played for England

    From Ronsenglish, on Mon 1 Jun 2:55AM

  4. ron

    ryan giggs isn't english he is welsh but you­ tried to steal him

    From cellan j, on Sun 31 May 10:38AM

  5. Simple ur national team that u play for is called the­ national team because its the nation u wer born-4 me­ Collison should be lookin 2 get in2 england squad-but­ rules r rules and he has his own mind and he chose to­ represent wales-no matter wot national team he plays­ for i fink hes a quality young player.WHU TIL I DIE

    From craighebson, on Sat 30 May 4:01PM

  6. I see from the thumbs and one other message at least­ one person agrees with me.

    From Ronsenglish, on Sat 30 May 9:52AM

  7. My sentiments go for all the others as well, no matter­ what the sport, perhaps if you move (immigrate) to to a­ new country live there for five years or so you should­ be allowed to play for that country but, Collison is as­ Welsh as I am, my grandmother was a Welsh lady named­ Thomas, but I was born and bred in England and would­ not dream of betraying my heritage

    From Ronsenglish, on Sat 30 May 9:51AM

  8. Reply to Ronsenglish - "should only be able to­ play for the­ country where he was born and bred" ­ - unless his name is Owen Hargreaves and maybe next­ year Manuel Almunia? If its good enough for Deco,­ Eduardo, Podolski, Klose and di Stefano and plenty more­ besides then why shouldn't Collison have his­ international career wherever he qualifies - he could­ hardly be said to be chasing glory could he? And does­ Rons argument extend to cricket? I daresay I could­ name an England test XI made up of foreign born­ players.

    From Ray, on Thu 28 May 2:22PM

  9. Traitor.

    From Jamie C, on Thu 28 May 3:01AM

  10. From the West Ham player profile. He was spotted­ playing for Cambridge United and offered a scholarship­ in summer 2005. After progressing through the youth­ ranks, the Watford-born Collison showed glimpses of his­ potential during the first team's 2007/08­ pre-season friendlies, getting regular outings­ alongside more experienced team-mates. He continued­ that form into the campaign and was made reserve-team­ captain by Kevin Keen - a sign of the leadership­ qualities he already possesses despite his young­ age.
    Collison opted to play international football for­ Wales - he qualified through a grandfather.
    Is this the­ way to respect your country of birth? What about the­ other three grandparents?

    From Ronsenglish, on Thu 28 May 2:52AM

  11. Not good enough or doesn't have the bottle to fight­ for an England place, just like Ryan Giggs, he's­ not Welsh and should only be able to play for the­ country where he was born and bred. Dump him no matter­ how good he is, his attitude to his country stinks.

    From Ronsenglish, on Thu 28 May 2:26AM
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