Post by Macmoish on Sept 19, 2010 7:51:53 GMT
Saw this on one of our sister boards (Honestly don't remember which one)
Nottingham Evening Post -
Forest keeper Camp turns back on England in favour of Northern Ireland chance
LEE Camp is to turn his back on England and play for Northern Ireland, after being snubbed by Fabio Capello.
The keeper's remarkable form was key to Nottingham Forest's third place finish in the Championship last season, with Camp keeping 19 clean sheets.
But, while many fans had been calling for the keeper to be given international recognition, Camp felt playing outside of the top flight would always be a preventative factor.
However, Capello called-up fellow Championship keeper Scott Loach and Blackburn rookie Frankie Fielding for the friendly against Hungary last month.
And Camp has now decided his England chance will never come – and has made himself available to play for Northern Ireland instead.
"They will push Scott Loach through, which is fantastic for him," said Camp. "I like Scott and I have a good relationship with him.
"But I don't think they will be looking for another keeper from the Championship now.
"I think I have written off my chances now, anyway. I probably did that a long time ago, by being too outspoken.
"But I am going to go and play for Northern Ireland instead. I qualify through my grandfather, who was born in Belfast.
"The process has started, I have produced a birth certificate and things are moving along.
"If might take a couple of months, but hopefully I will be approved to play for them."
Camp is critical of the way the England regime has treated keepers when they have made mistakes in the past.
And he hopes they do not 'destroy' Watford keeper Loach's career in the same way.
"I wish him every success," said Camp. "But they have destroyed Scott Carson, with the way he was treated.
"I hope they back Joe Hart now if he has a sticky run of form.
"Because when Paul Robinson had a bad patch, he found himself on the sidelines.
"And Robert Green made a mistake in the World Cup and he got destroyed. so I'd just like to see them keep faith with someone."
In the meantime, Camp hopes he can grace the international stage with Northern Ireland.
"I know both Nigel Worthington, from when I was at Norwich, and Fred Barber the keeper coach," said Camp.
"They have known about the situation for a while.
"And I thought to myself, why not? Because I don't think England is going to happen.
"The chance to play at international level is too good to turn down. With respect, they are not overloaded with goalkeepers.
"They have Maik Taylor, but he's 39 and isn't playing regularly. Perhaps there is a window of opportunity there for me. We will see."
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Forest-keeper-Camp-turns-England-favour-Northern-Ireland-chance/article-2658111-detail/article.html
NOttingham Evening Post - Birtles: Camp is right to turn his back on England
THERE are not many players who have the quality to push for an England call up when they are playing outside of the top flight.
But, at a time when the country was going through a goalkeeper crisis last season, Fabio Capello could have done a lot worse than look at Lee Camp.
For me, it is not just about the level of football you are playing at, but the level of performance you are producing.
And, at times last season, Camp was simply outstanding.
Some of his performances were breathtaking, as Forest came close to earning a place in the top flight.
Who knows, if Billy Davies' side had made it up to the top tier, Camp might have been in contention earlier this season, when Capello found himself short of options again.
Instead, it was Watford's Scott Loach and Frank Fielding who were given a call-up – and Camp was left to look on frustrated.
It had appeared that Camp's chance had not come because he was playing in the Championship.
But then he had to look on and watch as Loach, Watford's number one, and Blackburn's Fielding – who has never played a senior game for his parent club – were given their chance instead.
In that light, I can understand completely why Camp has taken the action that he has.
In my day, it was not really a consideration to consider playing for anyone else. I was very fortunate to have the chance to play for England myself, which I am very, very proud of.
But if I was a professional in the modern era and I didn't think there was a chance of an England call-up, I wouldn't have any qualms about exploring my family history to see if there were any other options.
Playing international football must be the pinnacle of any player's career, if they are ever that lucky.
And, if Camp does believe that he has no chance with England, then why not go down the Northern Ireland route?
He wouldn't be the first to exploit their family heritage.
Mick McCarthy is about as Yorkshire as they come, but he still enjoyed a distinguished career with Ireland.
As did Andy Townsend, who was from London, and Mark Lawrenson, who was also about as Irish as I am.
Kris Commons chose to play for Scotland and, a few years ago, I remember David Johnson debating his options.
If I remember correctly he qualified for all of the home nations and Jamaica as well.
You will see more and more people who make the same choice in the future, as they realise that there could be an opportunity for them to play on the biggest stage of all.
And it could work in the favour of the other home nations, who will only get stronger as a result.
Such players may not know the national anthems word for word.
And they may not feel the same sense of pride without the three lions on their chest.
But, if it is to everyone's benefit, why not?
In Camp's case, England's loss is certainly Northern Ireland's gain.
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Birtles-Lee-Camp-right-turn-England/article-2658140-detail/article.html
Nottingham Evening Post -
Forest keeper Camp turns back on England in favour of Northern Ireland chance
LEE Camp is to turn his back on England and play for Northern Ireland, after being snubbed by Fabio Capello.
The keeper's remarkable form was key to Nottingham Forest's third place finish in the Championship last season, with Camp keeping 19 clean sheets.
But, while many fans had been calling for the keeper to be given international recognition, Camp felt playing outside of the top flight would always be a preventative factor.
However, Capello called-up fellow Championship keeper Scott Loach and Blackburn rookie Frankie Fielding for the friendly against Hungary last month.
And Camp has now decided his England chance will never come – and has made himself available to play for Northern Ireland instead.
"They will push Scott Loach through, which is fantastic for him," said Camp. "I like Scott and I have a good relationship with him.
"But I don't think they will be looking for another keeper from the Championship now.
"I think I have written off my chances now, anyway. I probably did that a long time ago, by being too outspoken.
"But I am going to go and play for Northern Ireland instead. I qualify through my grandfather, who was born in Belfast.
"The process has started, I have produced a birth certificate and things are moving along.
"If might take a couple of months, but hopefully I will be approved to play for them."
Camp is critical of the way the England regime has treated keepers when they have made mistakes in the past.
And he hopes they do not 'destroy' Watford keeper Loach's career in the same way.
"I wish him every success," said Camp. "But they have destroyed Scott Carson, with the way he was treated.
"I hope they back Joe Hart now if he has a sticky run of form.
"Because when Paul Robinson had a bad patch, he found himself on the sidelines.
"And Robert Green made a mistake in the World Cup and he got destroyed. so I'd just like to see them keep faith with someone."
In the meantime, Camp hopes he can grace the international stage with Northern Ireland.
"I know both Nigel Worthington, from when I was at Norwich, and Fred Barber the keeper coach," said Camp.
"They have known about the situation for a while.
"And I thought to myself, why not? Because I don't think England is going to happen.
"The chance to play at international level is too good to turn down. With respect, they are not overloaded with goalkeepers.
"They have Maik Taylor, but he's 39 and isn't playing regularly. Perhaps there is a window of opportunity there for me. We will see."
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Forest-keeper-Camp-turns-England-favour-Northern-Ireland-chance/article-2658111-detail/article.html
NOttingham Evening Post - Birtles: Camp is right to turn his back on England
THERE are not many players who have the quality to push for an England call up when they are playing outside of the top flight.
But, at a time when the country was going through a goalkeeper crisis last season, Fabio Capello could have done a lot worse than look at Lee Camp.
For me, it is not just about the level of football you are playing at, but the level of performance you are producing.
And, at times last season, Camp was simply outstanding.
Some of his performances were breathtaking, as Forest came close to earning a place in the top flight.
Who knows, if Billy Davies' side had made it up to the top tier, Camp might have been in contention earlier this season, when Capello found himself short of options again.
Instead, it was Watford's Scott Loach and Frank Fielding who were given a call-up – and Camp was left to look on frustrated.
It had appeared that Camp's chance had not come because he was playing in the Championship.
But then he had to look on and watch as Loach, Watford's number one, and Blackburn's Fielding – who has never played a senior game for his parent club – were given their chance instead.
In that light, I can understand completely why Camp has taken the action that he has.
In my day, it was not really a consideration to consider playing for anyone else. I was very fortunate to have the chance to play for England myself, which I am very, very proud of.
But if I was a professional in the modern era and I didn't think there was a chance of an England call-up, I wouldn't have any qualms about exploring my family history to see if there were any other options.
Playing international football must be the pinnacle of any player's career, if they are ever that lucky.
And, if Camp does believe that he has no chance with England, then why not go down the Northern Ireland route?
He wouldn't be the first to exploit their family heritage.
Mick McCarthy is about as Yorkshire as they come, but he still enjoyed a distinguished career with Ireland.
As did Andy Townsend, who was from London, and Mark Lawrenson, who was also about as Irish as I am.
Kris Commons chose to play for Scotland and, a few years ago, I remember David Johnson debating his options.
If I remember correctly he qualified for all of the home nations and Jamaica as well.
You will see more and more people who make the same choice in the future, as they realise that there could be an opportunity for them to play on the biggest stage of all.
And it could work in the favour of the other home nations, who will only get stronger as a result.
Such players may not know the national anthems word for word.
And they may not feel the same sense of pride without the three lions on their chest.
But, if it is to everyone's benefit, why not?
In Camp's case, England's loss is certainly Northern Ireland's gain.
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Birtles-Lee-Camp-right-turn-England/article-2658140-detail/article.html
