Post by stu on May 26, 2012 8:29:52 GMT
Here is an article I started writing to dispell some myths that get bandied about on some of the more "low-brow" football forums ;D
It's basically a summary of a wiki article to make it more readable. Let me know what you think and if you have any additions. Note this isn't aimed specifically at us, as international fans we already have a broader view of the game. It's aimed at the people who think Sky invented football.
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Busting the Myths
Football -- One myth I've heard and read many times is that if Wales was independent then our exiled football clubs. Swansea City, Cardiff City, Wrexham, Newport County, Colwyn Bay and Merthr Town would be ejected from English football.
And considering how vital it is for Wales to win support from the valleys then it's crucial to have Swansea and Cardiff fans in particular on side. And there's a few important things you need to understand about football, not just in Wales and England but throughout the world before you can see how ludicrous this myth really is.
Part I - It's a world wide issue and not unique to Wales and England.
Wales
We'll start with Wales and the six clubs mentioned above.
England
Despite being a merger of a Welsh and English club TNS are now based in England and have represented Wales many times in Europe. Berwick Rangers also compete in the Scottish Pyramid. You can also add minor Shropshire teams Trefonen, Newcastle and Bucknell who all play in Wales.
Northern Ireland
Derry City currently compete in the Republic of Ireland and have represented both Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland in Europe.
Andorra
FC Andorra play in the Spanish system
Germany
FC Büsingen play in the Swiss leagues
Italy
AP Campionese play in the Swiss pyramid, Campione is an Italian enclave inside Switzerland.
Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein has no league system of it's own but has many clubs in the Swiss leagues. FC Balzers, USV Eschen/Mauren, FC Ruggell, FC Schaan, FC Triesen, FC Triesenberg and FC Vaduz. So far we're up to 19 clubs in total.
Monaco
AS Monaco play in France, Monaco are unique in European football in that they do not have a national team despite meeting all the criteria required by FIFA.
San Marino
San Marino Calcio play in Italy
Austria
SV Kleinwalsertal play in Germany
Antigua
Antigua Barracuda FC play in the USA
Bermuda
Bermuda Hogges play in the USA
Canada
Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact, FC Edmonton, Calgary Boomers, Edmonton Drillers, Montreal Manic, Montreal Olympique, Toronto Blizzard, Toronto Falcons, Vancouver Royals, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, Victoria Highlanders and WSA Winnipeg play all play in the USA. The first four also compete in the Canadian cup for a place in North Americas "Champions League".
Puerto Rica
Puerto Rica Islanders play in the USA. Puerto Rica is a depency of the USA but has it's own national team.
China
Sheffield United (yes that is what they are called!) and Xiangxue Eisiti are reserve teams of Chinese clubs that play in Hong Kong. Despite being a depency Hong Kong has it's own pyramid, FA and national team.
Singapore
Singapore enters an U23 team into the Malaysian League.
Malaysia
Malaysia enters an U23 team into the Singapore League
Brunei
DPMM FC play in Singapore
New Zealand
Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand Knights play in Australia. This is genuinely one of the most unique situations in world club football because since 2006 Australia now plays in a completely different confederation and as such NZ teams are not allowed into the Asian Champions League should they reach what would normally be a qualifying slot.
Summary
Whilst this list is in no means exhaustive and only features current teams and those based in their home country and those not already represented by another FA. We still have almost 50 teams across the globe that play in another football associations pyramid. Our Welsh teams are not unique and there is absolutely no reason why FIFA or UEFA would force our clubs to play in the Welsh system.
It's basically a summary of a wiki article to make it more readable. Let me know what you think and if you have any additions. Note this isn't aimed specifically at us, as international fans we already have a broader view of the game. It's aimed at the people who think Sky invented football.
----------------
Busting the Myths
Football -- One myth I've heard and read many times is that if Wales was independent then our exiled football clubs. Swansea City, Cardiff City, Wrexham, Newport County, Colwyn Bay and Merthr Town would be ejected from English football.
And considering how vital it is for Wales to win support from the valleys then it's crucial to have Swansea and Cardiff fans in particular on side. And there's a few important things you need to understand about football, not just in Wales and England but throughout the world before you can see how ludicrous this myth really is.
Part I - It's a world wide issue and not unique to Wales and England.
Wales
We'll start with Wales and the six clubs mentioned above.
England
Despite being a merger of a Welsh and English club TNS are now based in England and have represented Wales many times in Europe. Berwick Rangers also compete in the Scottish Pyramid. You can also add minor Shropshire teams Trefonen, Newcastle and Bucknell who all play in Wales.
Northern Ireland
Derry City currently compete in the Republic of Ireland and have represented both Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland in Europe.
Andorra
FC Andorra play in the Spanish system
Germany
FC Büsingen play in the Swiss leagues
Italy
AP Campionese play in the Swiss pyramid, Campione is an Italian enclave inside Switzerland.
Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein has no league system of it's own but has many clubs in the Swiss leagues. FC Balzers, USV Eschen/Mauren, FC Ruggell, FC Schaan, FC Triesen, FC Triesenberg and FC Vaduz. So far we're up to 19 clubs in total.
Monaco
AS Monaco play in France, Monaco are unique in European football in that they do not have a national team despite meeting all the criteria required by FIFA.
San Marino
San Marino Calcio play in Italy
Austria
SV Kleinwalsertal play in Germany
Antigua
Antigua Barracuda FC play in the USA
Bermuda
Bermuda Hogges play in the USA
Canada
Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact, FC Edmonton, Calgary Boomers, Edmonton Drillers, Montreal Manic, Montreal Olympique, Toronto Blizzard, Toronto Falcons, Vancouver Royals, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, Victoria Highlanders and WSA Winnipeg play all play in the USA. The first four also compete in the Canadian cup for a place in North Americas "Champions League".
Puerto Rica
Puerto Rica Islanders play in the USA. Puerto Rica is a depency of the USA but has it's own national team.
China
Sheffield United (yes that is what they are called!) and Xiangxue Eisiti are reserve teams of Chinese clubs that play in Hong Kong. Despite being a depency Hong Kong has it's own pyramid, FA and national team.
Singapore
Singapore enters an U23 team into the Malaysian League.
Malaysia
Malaysia enters an U23 team into the Singapore League
Brunei
DPMM FC play in Singapore
New Zealand
Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand Knights play in Australia. This is genuinely one of the most unique situations in world club football because since 2006 Australia now plays in a completely different confederation and as such NZ teams are not allowed into the Asian Champions League should they reach what would normally be a qualifying slot.
Summary
Whilst this list is in no means exhaustive and only features current teams and those based in their home country and those not already represented by another FA. We still have almost 50 teams across the globe that play in another football associations pyramid. Our Welsh teams are not unique and there is absolutely no reason why FIFA or UEFA would force our clubs to play in the Welsh system.