MP CALLS FOR UK FOOTBALL TEAM

A United Kingdom football team should be formed in the wake of England's first-round failure at the World Cup, an MP has urged.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland fielding separate teams limits the chances of international football success for the union, according to Conservative Laurence Robertson.

He adds it also denies "outstanding British players" a chance to play in the World Cup, a nod to footballers including Welsh duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

The Tewkesbury MP believes on this basis the football authorities from each nation should "come together" to form one national team for the UK.

Wales last appeared at the World Cup finals in 1958 - the last occasion when all four home nations played at the same tournament - while Northern Ireland last took part in 1986 and Scotland in 1998.

England won the World Cup in 1966 but have since endured 48 years of hurt, culminating with the Three Lions securing a solitary point in Brazil and finishing bottom of their group behind Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy.

A Great Britain football team appeared at the London 2012 Olympics although only consisted of English and Welsh players.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Football Associations were opposed to a combined team entering in 2012 despite assurances from Fifa that it would not affect their independence as footballing nations.

Mr Robertson put forward the idea for the UK team in an early day motion (EDM) before Parliament.

He says that "no other nation fields more than one national team" and calls on the football authorities in each of the home countries to "come together and form one national football team covering the UK".

An EDM is a formal motion submitted for debate in the House of Commons although very few are actually debated.