Everything that you have said about history is true Bemused. But it still doesnt change the fact that Northern Ireland is geographically a country by itself, different from England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Politically, it is not a sovereign state. It doesnt govern itself. However, we must agree to disagree. Sad result last night for the boys though. Heartbreaking.

Posted by Wolfman | 10.09.09, 15:17 GMT

Oh dear Wolfman, don't you know the history of the island? The country was actually known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during the Empire period, created by the Act of Union in 1800. Check the maps of the world at that time (Canada, through various acts and treaties, was a separate colony though still partly dependent on the UK until 1982, India was an established country before European intrusions from the 16th century). Unfortunately, by your logic, the maps do not highlight the countries of Rathlin or Isle of Man (perhaps this is due to you ommitting the Wiki reference to 'In common usage, the term country is used in the sense of both nations and states') Nevertheless, hope you support our team tonight, waving our flag (which is what? Oh yes, the Union Flag) and singing our anthem (which is what? Oh yes, GSTQ).

Posted by Bemused | 09.09.09, 18:32 GMT

Iwish the I.F.A. would stop talking about what they are going to do about a stadium and just do it. As for previous posters who say, 'Windsor Park has too much history and bad feeling towards it,' 'i won't listen to tribal songs by idots embarrassing everyone,' 'it is intimidating to stand in that crowd.' These people never have or ever will support Northern Ireland because they are trapped in their own history of their own past and only come on here to sling mud hoping some will stick but it won't stick so come on I.F.A. build it now.

Posted by Terry Hamilton | 09.09.09, 18:03 GMT

Linfield and the IFA should find their own money for this development as they are the ones who have blocked a new stadium. A stadium that i wouldn't have cared where it was built, as long as it wasn't Windsor Park.

As a Glenman there's no way on earth I'm going to an NI match and giving Linfield any money what so ever.

I can't wait until they build it and then the so called fans desert the International team in the lean years and both Linfield and the IFA are left with a 20,000 seat white elephant and all the costs it incurs.
Who will they cry to then for more money ?

Posted by markgfc | 09.09.09, 15:48 GMT

Well Bemused, the fact that you yourself used the "UK legalese" phrase of "constituent country" shows that it is a country. We dont have tax-raising powers, UN representatives etc as we are not a sovereign state. It is true that we are governed from London, which is located in a different country. But during the years of the British Empire when the whole of Ireland was governed from London would you say that Ireland was not a country? Or that Canada or Australia or India or any other "location" that Britain held sway over was not a country? Again from the Wiki:"In geography, a country is a geographical region. The term is often applied to a political division or the territory of a state, or to a smaller, or former, political division of a geographical region. Usually, but not always, a country coincides with a sovereign territory and is associated with a state, nation and government." If you read a little further there is even a bit specifically about Northern Ireland.

Posted by Wolfman | 09.09.09, 15:17 GMT

How is, well Casement is in a Catholic area, an argument for Windsor not being in a Protestant area as a way forward?

The two aren't linked at all. We're talking about N.Irish football and trying to attract a greater following and unite our footballing fans in NI. Regardless of what you call it, country state or otherwise. I don't care, lots of people don't care about the arguments, we care about football. If the GAA don't want to attract more of a cross-community fan that's their issue. Were there even people that would've liked Casement Park moved elsewhere? Has that ever been cited as an issue?

Do you not see? It's these sort of petty, insignificant, narrow-minded arguments that prevent us from fully achieving our aim. To make NI available for all then everything needs to be neutral. There is no need for people to mark areas with colours and flags, there is no need for emblems and anthems at the game if they cause issue.

Posted by Ryan | 09.09.09, 15:13 GMT

Wolfman, very lazy, looks like you copied Wiki directly with the conclusion that the UK is a country made up of four countries. If you look further in the articles you find the quote 'While "countries" is the term commonly used to describe them, because of a lack of a formal British constitution, and owing to a convoluted history of the formation of the United Kingdom, no official appellation exists and so various terms are used'. In case you still disagree whether NI is a country, could you tell me when we got a parliament with tax-raising powers, who is our representative in the UN, etc. At least this will make you think about the region you live in ('constituent country' is often used in UK legalese).

Posted by Bemused | 09.09.09, 09:03 GMT

The earlier comment about where Windsor Park is situated not being cross community. Sounds brainless to me given the GAA venue at Casement Park. Definately a no go area for protestants.

Posted by Gerald. | 08.09.09, 17:37 GMT

Actually Bemused, you are incorrect. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and unitary state consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Therefore, THIS country (ie Northern Ireland) only has one football team. Perhaps you're the one who needs a "geography" lesson.

Posted by Wolfman | 08.09.09, 16:25 GMT

Weev

Ending up beside a blatantly sectarian relic like yourself is the very reason why most of the population of the north would never set foot in Windsor Park. This is a victory for thebigots and a huge opportunity missed

Posted by mark | 08.09.09, 16:05 GMT

SAD SAD day for Irish League Football .linfieldIFA get richer the rest poorer.if this goes ahead I will never see my Country play at home as long as Ilive.I think the whole IFA should resign NOW as there is no one wants this but IFAlinfield.SAd SAD DAy

Posted by Billy | 08.09.09, 15:46 GMT

JD, hate to break it to you but maybe you also need a geography lesson. The country that you are in (the UK) actually has four football teams-England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland! It would have been more enlightening to Sean (who needs all the help that he can get) to point out that there was only one football team on this island until the FAI split with the IFA. If Sean would like one football team, then perhaps he can convince the FAI to rejoin the IFA and disband the Republic of Ireland team?

Posted by Bemused | 08.09.09, 15:37 GMT

oh im sorry ryan for offending someone, dont tell on me please. i couldnt care less if people are complaining about it. being in the kop during a northern ireland match is the best feeling in the world because of the fans!

Posted by weev | 08.09.09, 15:24 GMT

At long last a decision seems to have been made and a very good one at that, Windsor Park is Northern Ireland's traditional home and should remain so, there is no need for all this multi-sports stadium nonsense, each sport will get there share of the money and build up their own facilities. The IFA contract with Linfield will have to be renegotiated though.

Posted by Dave | 08.09.09, 15:14 GMT

Good idea but they should build, say a 20,000 stadia over in the Titantic quarter or say up in Antrim which has good motorway access & pretty central for all of Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland team is looking support from everyone but essentially we are part of the UK & folk will still be running round in Republic of Ireland shirts because they don't see Northern Ireland as their team.

Posted by Stephen | 08.09.09, 14:54 GMT

It's comments like that Weev that people are complaining about.

Could we not have had some sort of poll to decide what people actually wanted? The worst thing is you all still seem shocked that the IFA have done it again. I didn't see this ending any other way from the moment the notion was mooted.

You've made a mistake again, can we please get someone younger into power, people that are stuck in the past should never be entrusted with the future.

The one bright side of all this however is that the Glens might now get a nice sized 8,000 stadium.

Posted by Ryan | 08.09.09, 14:47 GMT

no sean we have one football team in Northern Ireland, and in case you havent realised Co. Down is in Northern Ireland. if you want to watch Ireland play, go to croke park, no-one will miss you

Posted by weev | 08.09.09, 14:30 GMT

sean from co down Ireland...... perhaps you need a geography lesson. Your country has only 1 team and it's called Northern Ireland, on another part of this Island is another country going by the name Eire (or Republic of Ireland).
Lets be honest here, it will not matter one bit where the stadium is situated there will always be those stuck in the past who do not want to get on with the future!
C'mon Norn Iron

Posted by JD | 08.09.09, 14:16 GMT

It seems that Linfield Football Club will be the big winners ! It is sad that only 'those in the know' benefit from from improvements! A national stadium away from the environs of Windsor Park would have helped bring the community together.

Posted by RMS | 08.09.09, 14:08 GMT

what a sad day for sport in northern ireland.
the oppotunity to build something special has been missed.

the politicians and the IFA should hang ther heads in shame.
No matter what you thnk windsor park has to much history and bad feeling towards it
I won,t be visiting windsor park to hear the tribal songs of the insular partially brain dead idiots who bring embaressment to us all.
We will regret this missed opportunity in the years to come.

Posted by William Cox | 08.09.09, 13:47 GMT