Playing 'more important than any anthem'
A NORTHERN Ireland World Cup hero has called on local politicians to stay out of sport as the debate over a new anthem at international football matches rumbled on last night.
Former goalkeeper Harry Gregg was speaking out after a call from avid supporter Kenny Donaldson, who is also an Ulster Unionist Party officer, to find a new sporting anthem, instead of God Save The Queen, which would be more acceptable to all traditions in the Province.
Gregg, who represented his country at the 1958 World Cup finals, argues that from his own experience while players are proud to represent their country of birth, they are more concerned with the impending game rather than which song is played prior to kick-off.
The 77-year-old maintains sport and politics "simply do not mix".
Stressing the playing of God Save The Queen was "not an issue" among his teammates of homegrown Protestants and Catholics in the late 1950s and early 60s, the Castlerock man told the News Letter: "We were a team that played for our country, it is as simple as that.
"Players concentrate on what is ahead as far as playing the game. If it's an anthem or another piece of music that ties in with the country of your birth, you stand for it - but the most important thing is playing."
Recalling his 25 caps for Northern Ireland, when huge crowds attended home internationals in Belfast, the former goalkeeper stressed the anthem issue was never a matter of contention.
"Everybody was quite happy to go there and politics did not come into it. The only reason a politician should come into it is if he can play," he said.
"Among the 62,000 spectators, there were all colours, creeds and religions. The main reason for them being there was to watch a game of football. And as for the players on the pitch, it was not about what was played or sung, but the fact they had been selected to play for their country at that time."
Meanwhile, as well as prompting debate on radio phone-ins, discussions regarding the anthem issue also dominated online web forums.
While a spokesman for the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs declined to comment on the matter, users on the popular fans' website - Our Wee Country - appeared divided on the issue.
In the aftermath of Irish FA president Raymond Kennedy stressing the matter was being kept under review, one fan wrote: "The IFA should just make a decision on this now. Ditch God Save The Queen and be done with it."
In reference to the Ireland rugby team's policy of playing the Soldier's Song, another said: "I for one have always said that I would accept a change to GSTQ when the Irish rugby team stopped playing their anti-British, republican national anthem and not before."
Another said: "They keep bringing this up every once and a while trying to get a reaction.
"I think its a non-starter personally."
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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