Jump to content

Great Britain Olympic football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great Britain
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Team GB
AssociationThe Football Association (since 1907)
Most capsJim Lewis
Mike Pinner (11)[1]
Top scorerWill Campbell (10)[1]
FIFA codeGBR
First colours
Second colours
First international
United Kingdom Great Britain 12–1 Sweden 
(London, Great Britain; 20 October 1908)
Biggest win
United Kingdom Great Britain 12–1 Sweden 
(London, Great Britain; 20 October 1908)
Biggest defeat
 Bulgaria 6–1 Great Britain United Kingdom
(Melbourne, Australia; 30 November 1956)
 Bulgaria 5–0 Great Britain United Kingdom
(Sofia, Bulgaria; 5 May 1971)
Olympic Games
Appearances8[2] (first in 1900)
Best resultGold: 1900,[2]1908,[2] 1912[2]

The Great Britain Olympic football team was the men's football team that represented the United Kingdom at the Summer Olympic Games (where it competed as Great Britain, branded Team GB). The team was organised by the Football Association as the men's footballing representative of the British Olympic Association. The team only competed in the Olympic Games. In other international football tournaments, the Home Nations of the United Kingdom are represented by their own national teams, a situation which pre-dated the establishment of a GB team.

The team first competed at the FA organised tournament for the 1908 Olympics held in London, which was the first games that featured representative teams using players selected nationally (prior games in 1900 and 1904 used club teams). This team and the two that followed in 1912 and 1920 featured only English amateur players, and is seen by some as merely an extension of the English amateur team, set up in 1906 in response to the rise of the professional game.[3] In this period the team won the gold medal at the 1908 and 1912 tournaments, although exited at Round 1 in 1920. A dispute between the FA and FIFA over the inclusion of professionals saw the FA withdraw from Olympic football in 1924 and 1928, and saw no football at the Olympics at all in 1932.[1]

After the creation of the FIFA World Cup, it was agreed that Olympic football would become exclusively amateur,[4] leading to the team competing again in the 1936 Games, this time incorporating players from other Home Nations. After the break caused by World War II, the team then competed in every games from 1948 until 1972, albeit failing to qualify for the main tournament after 1960.[1] In this period the team's best performance was fourth place in 1948 at the second Games hosted in London, under manager Matt Busby.[1]

After the FA abolished the distinction between amateur and professional players in 1974, it stopped entering a team.[3] By the 1992 Games teams could use professionals, but were restricted to players under 23 years old, with only three over-age players allowed per squad.[4] Despite this change, Great Britain did not enter a football team again until London won the right to host the 2012 Games.[5][6] The FA organised the team, with Stuart Pearce appointed manager.[7]

A Great Britain women's team also competed at the 2012 and 2020 Games, following the introduction of women's football to the Games in 1996.

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]

The FA was formed in London 1863, when thirteen teams met to draw up a shared rule list for football, in order to facilitate matches between clubs.[8] The question of the geographical remit of this organisation does not appear to have been asked, with the FA being formed before the rise of international football. The first football matches between national teams were arranged by the FA, who invited English and Scottish players to form representative teams.[8] The Scottish teams were made up almost entirely of Scottish residents in England and in order to encourage more Scottish based players to compete, an organisation in Scotland was sought to form the Scottish team.[8] For the 1872 game between Scotland and England in Glasgow, Queen's Park Football Club took on this role, and this game is now recognised as the first international match.[9] Within a year, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) was founded to facilitate these matches, and to organise football in Scotland more broadly. The third national football association, the Football Association of Wales was founded in 1876 and a fourth, the Irish Football Association, (IFA), was founded in 1880.

The practice of playing internationals between the four countries of the United Kingdom (also known as the home nations) was thus developed before football associations were developed elsewhere in the world and, no 'United Kingdom football association' was ever formed.[1] Outside of the UK, the first national associations were formed in 1889 (in Denmark and the Netherlands),[1] and these also began to pick their own national teams. When football was included at the 1900 Olympics, however, many nations were still struggling to raise a team,[1] and so club teams entered instead. Upton Park represented the UK, winning the gold medal.[3]

1908–1936: First tournaments and Olympic Gold

[edit]
Great Britain squad that won the gold medal in 1908

For the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the FA persuaded the IOC to include an official football tournament, which they organised.[3] A team, made up entirely of English players, was entered.[10] Some sources continue to refer to this team as the England national amateur football team,[3] whilst others still simply label all participations as Great Britain.[11] Although the team competed as the United Kingdom and are listed as such, the official match report refers to "the English team".[12] The Scottish Football Association passed a resolution to "protest against one National body in the British Isles being termed the United Kingdom, or playing as such without the consent of the other three National Associations". The resolution was read at the next meeting of the International Football Association Board. In response, "[t]he Football Association representatives explained that this was the name given by the authorities, and that so far as the Football Association was concerned they had nothing to do with the matter. The Scottish Association were satisfied with this answer."[13]

At the 1908 Olympics, "Great Britain and Ireland" won all three of their matches, defeating Sweden and Netherlands in the first two rounds. They met Denmark in the final, defeating them 2–0 with goals from Vivian Woodward and Frederick Chapman.[14]

Scene of the 1912 Olympic Final match where Great Britain won its second Gold after beating Denmark 4–2

The team repeated this success at the 1912 Games.[15][16] Again, Britain won all three matches and defeated Denmark in the final, this time 4–2. Woodward, who scored in the previous final, was captain for this tournament.[17]

At the 1920 Summer Games, Britain lost in the first round in a surprise defeat to Norway.[18] Britain had played only amateur players, while other nations selected their team from all available players.[19] The tournament formed part of a rift which developed between the FA, who wanted the Olympics to remain an amateur only competition, and FIFA, who were keen on having a full football world championship.[20] This resulted in the FA leaving FIFA, as well as withdrawing from the 1924 and 1928 football tournaments.[21] Eventually, however, an agreement was reached in which the Olympic football tournament would be for amateur players only, with the FIFA World Cup created to include all players, professional and amateur.[21]

There was no football tournament at the 1932 games, so Britain's return to Olympic football came at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Great Britain were defeated in the quarter-finals, losing 5–4 to Poland.[22]

1948–1972: Post war tournaments

[edit]

Following the Second World War, Great Britain competed in all Olympic football tournaments from 1948 through to 1972. The 1948 tournament, which was hosted in London, was the team's most successful. By this time, it was recognised that Britain's amateur players were not of the same quality as they had been in earlier years, due to the rise of the professional game.[23] By contrast, teams in nations which had not yet developed professional leagues were able to field their strongest sides.[23] Manager Matt Busby trained a squad made up of players from all of the 'home nations',[23] and Britain progressed to the semi-final with wins over the Netherlands and France. Having lost the semi-final to Yugoslavia, Britain once again faced Denmark. This time, however, they were defeated 5–3 and missed out on a bronze medal.[24] Wembley Stadium hosted Great Britain's final two matches, though they also played at Craven Cottage and Highbury.

After 1948, Great Britain were never a significant threat at the Olympics again. They were eliminated after losing their opening match to Luxembourg in 1952,[1] and qualified for the 1956 only after other teams withdrew, before being beaten by Bulgaria in the quarter-finals.[1] Their final appearance at an Olympic Games came in 1960.[25] The squad was again selected from all of the home nations, with matches between the national amateur sides being used to choose a best 19.[25] Great Britain were eliminated in the first round, losing one, drawing one and winning one of their three matches.[25] After that Great Britain failed to qualify for the next three Olympics, with their final match being a 5–0 qualifying round defeat by Bulgaria[15] in 1971 following a 1–0 victory at Wembley Stadium against the same team.[26]

In 1974, the Football Association stopped recognising a distinction between professionals and amateurs, with all player subsequently registered simply as 'players', whether paid or unpaid.[27] This ended the existence of the England amateur team, which had always been the basis for the British Olympic team. As such, the FA stopped entering a football team into Olympic competition.

1976–2008: Absence from the tournament

[edit]

For the 1984 Summer Olympics, professional footballers were allowed to compete at the Olympics for the first time.[4][28] Initially, European and South American teams were banned from playing players who had competed in the FIFA World Cup, but from the 1992 Summer Olympics eligibility for all nations was restricted to players aged under 23, except that three players of any age are allowed in the squad.[4]

Since 1992, the UEFA European Under-21 Championship has acted as the qualifying tournament for the UEFA nations, which each of the Home Nations enter. On four occasions, teams from Great Britain have finished in the qualifying positions:

In March 1996, the Scottish National Party proposed that the Scotland U21s should compete in the 1996 Olympics football tournament, having finished fourth in the 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[29] Scotland would have qualified for the Summer Olympics football tournament twice in succession, having also finished fourth in the 1992 edition. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) opposed the idea of the Scotland team being sent to the Olympics as they would have had to participate as Great Britain, which the SFA considered would have jeopardised the independent status of Scottish national teams.[29]

The British Olympic Association initially refused to rule out the possibility of entry for the 2008 Games,[30] England would have qualified for the 2008 Olympics by reaching the semi-finals of the 2007 Under–21 Championship, but a team was not entered.[31] Italy took their vacated place by winning a play-off match against Portugal.[31] The England women's team also qualified for the 2008 Olympics, through their performance in the 2007 World Cup, but they were denied a place at the Olympics because the other three Home Nations refused to give their consent.[32]

Reformation for London 2012

[edit]
The BOA released a supporters' shirt for fans of Team GB

Due to the success of the London 2012 Olympic bid, the United Kingdom gained the right to enter a team in the football tournament as host nation.[5][33] The British Olympic Association (BOA) stated it would enter a football team,[5] but the Scottish Football Association (SFA) refused even to attend meetings at which the Home Nations were to discuss the possibility[34] and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) withdrew from the negotiations.[35] The Irish Football Association (representing Northern Ireland) stated in October 2007 that they would not take part in a unified team, leaving the Football Association (England) as the only association willing to take part. The SFA's opposition to the plans were rooted primarily in the fear that the Home Nations would be forced to field a combined team in all competitions.[34] This would mean the loss of the special status of the Home Nations, established under FIFA's constitution.[36]

Various fans, politicians and sports-people all gave their opinions with regards to the creation of a team. A 2005 opinion poll published by the BOA claimed that a majority of Scots supported the creation of a British team for the 2012 Olympics.[37] A joint statement issued by the official fan clubs of all four Home Nations voiced their opposition to the plan.[38] Various prominent politicians also offered their opinion as to whether there should be a British team in the 2012 Olympics. Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated during the 2008 Olympics that he wanted a British team and would work towards that happening, although he acknowledged that it could affect the autonomy of the Home Nations.[39] First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond then stated his opposition to a British team, arguing that Brown must be "seriously out of touch with Scotland" to support it.[40]

FIFA President Sepp Blatter initially assured each of the British Associations that their status would not be affected by fielding a combined team in 2012.[41] The SFA refused to change its position, arguing that Blatter's personal opinion and permission might not matter once he has left office, and that they did not wish to jeopardise their status.[34] Blatter seemed to change his view in March 2008, when he stated that "they should enter only a team composed of players from England"[42] and he suggested that the independent status of the four British associations could be harmed by a unified team.[42] UEFA chief executive David Taylor, a former chief executive of the SFA, said in August 2008 that a British Olympic team would threaten the existence of the individual home nations.[43] Taylor also said that the unique status of the Home Nations had come under attack before from other FIFA members, and that it was "difficult to see what guarantees could be given" to protect that status.[43] At a conference held in conjunction with the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, the prospect of a UK team for the 2012 Olympics was discussed by the FIFA Executive Committee, who gave their approval.[44]

The executive committee confirmed that the participation in the 2012 London Olympic Games of a single team representing Great Britain would not affect the existing individual status of the four British football associations. For the Olympic Games, they have to play in one entity. The ball is now in their turf. We expect a solution that will be presented to us for the month of March.[44]

From the world of sport, world 400 m hurdles champion Dai Greene said that he felt that there should not be an Olympic football tournament because the Olympics is not the pinnacle of that sport.[45] He also expressed fears that coverage of the football team would overshadow interest in the other competitors.[45] Sebastian Coe, the director of the 2012 Olympics, regularly spoke out in support of the team.[46]

A compromise was eventually reached between the four associations, whereby a squad of English players only would represent the United Kingdom.[6] The football associations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales sent a joint letter to FIFA stating that they would not participate, but that they would not object to England participating alone.[6] This agreement was challenged by the BOA, who wanted to select players from all four countries and claimed it would be potentially discriminatory to only select English players.[47] Jim Boyce stated that there is no legal restriction on players being selected by the BOA[47] and the SFA admitted that it would have no legal grounds to prevent Scottish players from participating.[48] It was then confirmed that the FA intended to select players from outside England.[7] Eligible non-English players such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey expressed their desire to play in the squad, having posed for a photo-shoot wearing the replica shirts of the team.[49]

Pre-tournament preparations

[edit]

The FA announced in October 2011 that Stuart Pearce would be the manager. After this announcement, Pearce drew up an initial long-list of players who he wanted to consider for the squad, and wrote to all of these players to inform them of his choice.[50] Pearce said that players who did not want to be included would be able to inform him of their wishes at that stage.[50] It was stated in December 2011 that none of the players selected for the England squad for the UEFA Euro 2012 would be selected, in order to avoid player fatigue.[51] In January 2012, it was revealed that 191 players had been contacted, with 7 declining to be considered for the team.[52] A further cut was announced in April 2012, with the shortlist of eligible players reduced to around 80.[53] The final pre-tournament cut occurred in early June, when a squad of 35 players was submitted to FIFA.[54][55]

Great Britain were placed in group A for the Olympic tournament prior to the draw.[56] The draw was held on 24 April 2012 and added Uruguay, United Arab Emirates and Senegal to Great Britain's group.[57] The final 18-man squad for the Olympic Games was announced on 2 July 2012.[58] A pre-tournament training camp was held in Marbella, Spain.[59] This included a training match against Mexico, which Mexico won 1–0. All players in the squad played for between 45 and 75 minutes.[59] The team then played one official friendly match, against Brazil at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough on 20 July,[60] which was won 2–0 by Brazil.[61]

Olympic tournament

[edit]
Kick-off vs Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium

Great Britain's first match was a 1–1 draw with Senegal at Old Trafford in Manchester on 26 July. Craig Bellamy scored for Great Britain in the first half, but Pape Moussa Konaté scored the equaliser for Senegal from a counter-attack in the 82nd minute.[62] Their second match was a 3–1 win against the United Arab Emirates at Wembley. A Ryan Giggs header put Great Britain in the lead, before Ahmad Ali equalised. Scott Sinclair regained the lead with his first touch of the game after coming on as a substitute, and minutes later, fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge chipped the UAE's goalkeeper to make it 3–1.[62] Sturridge scored again in the 1–0 victory against Uruguay in their final group game.

Aaron Ramsey missed a penalty kick against South Korea in the 40th minute.

In the knockout stage, Great Britain played South Korea in the quarterfinal round. The match went to a penalty shoot-out after the score was 1–1, after extra time. Great Britain lost the shoot-out 4–5 after Sturridge missed Britain's fifth attempt, while the Koreans converted all five of their attempts.[63]

2016–present: Negotiations for permanent reformation

[edit]

During the 2012 tournament some players such as Ryan Giggs[64] and some members of the British Olympic Association[65] expressed a desire to enter a football team in future Olympics. After Great Britain's elimination from the 2012 Olympics, there were no public plans to reform the team for future Olympic Games,[66] with Alex Horne, chief-executive of the FA, stating that the FA would not support a future men's football team at the Olympics.[67] The problem facing any possible future Great Britain team is that there is no mechanism for it to qualify, as the individual home nations compete in the qualifying competition.[68]

In 2015, the England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate and the FA Director of Elite Development Dan Ashworth established as FA policy that the Olympic tournament is a valuable experience for underage players.[69] The FA subsequently advised the other home nations that they intended to enter teams in 2016, if either or both of the England teams met the qualification standard.[69][70] This suggestion was opposed by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish associations.[69][71] Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland, then a vice-president of FIFA, said that he had an assurance that any future Great Britain teams would require the consent of all home nations.[71] The FA then advised the other home nations that they would not enter teams, with the Scottish FA saying that the FA had "underestimated" opposition to the plan.[72]

After Team GB did not enter a team at the 2016 Olympics, British Olympic Association chief executive Bill Sweeney expressed his disappointment and said talks would take place to try to field teams for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[73] British Olympic Association vice-chairman and former sports minister Sir Hugh Robertson further stated: "From the British Olympic Committee's perspective, we would love to see Team GB football", whilst new England senior team manager Sam Allardyce stated: "To turn it down is a great shame. It's something we may look at in the future and try to compete in."[73] Joint talks between all four of the home nations began in September 2016.[74] FIFA subsequently approved the idea of a Great Britain team for the 2020 games, but opposition from the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish FAs continued.[75] FA chief executive Martin Glenn established that previous concerns over the existence of a team were no longer a concern, stating: "The big fear in the past was that if we did it we would jeopardise our independent country status. But that was sorted out under [former FIFA president Sepp] Blatter actually and Gianni Infantino has reinforced it."[74] Glenn revealed that "FIFA has indicated that it's not a problem" and that "the issue is the individual interests of each home nation."[74]

An agreement was reached between the four associations for a women's team to be entered in the 2020 Summer Olympics, with qualification depending on England's performance in the 2019 World Cup, but this did not affect men's football.[76]

Following Tokyo 2020, Sky Sports reported that the British Olympic Association had hoped to have a men's team at Paris 2024.[77] However, nothing came of this, as no confirmation of Great Britain either competing or not competing, despite England finishing in a qualification spot at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[78]

Following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, negotiations restarted for Great Britain to be brought back from hiatus for Los Angeles 2028.[79][80] Contrary to earlier reports, the chief of the Football Association of Wales Noel Mooney dismissed the notion that talks had begun and stated that even if they had "our focus is very much here on Wales playing at tournament".[81]

Criticism

[edit]

The official football organisation officials and some players from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland were against the move to create a Great Britain football team for the London 2012 Olympics.[82] The FAW did not want their players involved in the GB squad for the London Olympics because they were concerned it could undermine their status as an independent footballing nation.[83] Welsh fans also unfurled a "NO TEAM GB" banner following a 4–1 win over Norway for Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.[83] Aaron Ramsey said via Twitter "'Relax everyone, there is absolutely no way I would play in the Olympic team if it was going to affect Wales' identity as an individual nation!".[84]

Welsh broadcaster Elis James said that he "profoundly disagreed at every level" with a GB team. It has been suggested that even an occasional British team "would severely weaken our status as an independent football nation (and Scotland and Northern Ireland’s status as well). Plenty in FIFA resent our position on IFAB, and would like to see us compete as Team GB. This has been brought up since the early 1970s".[85]

Chief football writer for The Times suggested opposition to a GB team, "Anybody seriously suggesting a GB football team should just go and experience a Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or England game. Or just flick the TV on now and listen to Wales players and fans singing".[85]

Whilst playing for a GB football team, Welsh players Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Joe Allen and Neil Taylor were criticised for not singing "God save the Queen". The manager of the team said that the Welsh players' decision not to sing the anthem is a personal decision.[86]

Colours

[edit]

The official kit for the 2012 Olympics, designed by Stella McCartney and manufactured by Adidas, was unveiled alongside the uniform for all Team GB Olympic competitors in March.[87] The front of the shirt is modelled on the right-hand side of a union flag, with the colours consisting of white and various shades of blue in keeping with the design of the uniforms in other sports.[88] The back of the shirt is navy blue, as are the shorts and socks.[87] The kit has a red trim.[87] The change kit is pale blue and white, with varying shades displaying the same union flag design as the home kit.[89] The crest is on the left breast of the shirt, and consists of a white shield with the generic Team GB logo in blue, with the words London 2012 below it.

Players

[edit]

Composition

[edit]

The composition of the team has varied over time. All players in the 1908, 1912, 1920 and 1956 squads were English, while in other years players from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were all included.[1] The 2012 squad contained 13 English and 5 Welsh players but no Scottish or Northern Irish players.[58] Jack Butland, the third choice goalkeeper for England, was the only player selected for both the Olympics and the England Euro 2012 squad.[90] Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards were selected as the three overage players.[91] Former England captain David Beckham was shortlisted for the Olympics, but was left out of the final squad.[91]

London 2012 squad

[edit]

The Great Britain squad for the 2012 Olympic Games was announced on 2 July 2012, with Ryan Giggs named as captain.[92]

  • The three over age players are denoted with a *
  • Clubs listed are those which held the player's registration during the Olympics
  • Players' ages are those which the player were at the day of their first game at the Olympics
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK England Jack Butland (1993-03-10)10 March 1993 (aged 19) 5 0 England Birmingham City
18 1GK England Jason Steele (1990-08-18)18 August 1990 (aged 21) 1 0 England Middlesbrough
2 2DF Wales Neil Taylor (1989-02-07)7 February 1989 (aged 23) 5 0 Wales Swansea City
3 2DF England Ryan Bertrand (1989-08-05)5 August 1989 (aged 22) 4 0 England Chelsea
5 2DF England Steven Caulker (1991-12-29)29 December 1991 (aged 20) 5 0 England Tottenham Hotspur
6 2DF England Craig Dawson (1990-05-06)6 May 1990 (aged 22) 3 0 England West Bromwich Albion
12 2DF England James Tomkins (1989-03-29)29 March 1989 (aged 23) 2 0 England West Ham United
14 2DF England Micah Richards* (1988-06-24)24 June 1988 (aged 24) 5 0 England Manchester City
4 3MF England Danny Rose (1990-07-02)2 July 1990 (aged 22) 4 0 England Tottenham Hotspur
7 3MF England Tom Cleverley (1989-08-12)12 August 1989 (aged 22) 5 0 England Manchester United
8 3MF Wales Joe Allen (1990-03-14)14 March 1990 (aged 22) 5 0 Wales Swansea City
11 3MF Wales Ryan Giggs* (captain) (1973-11-29)29 November 1973 (aged 38) 4 1 England Manchester United
13 3MF England Jack Cork (1989-06-25)25 June 1989 (aged 23) 4 0 England Southampton
15 3MF Wales Aaron Ramsey (1990-12-26)26 December 1990 (aged 21) 5 1 England Arsenal
16 3MF England Scott Sinclair (1989-03-25)25 March 1989 (aged 23) 4 1 Wales Swansea City
9 4FW England Daniel Sturridge (1989-09-01)1 September 1989 (aged 22) 5 2 England Chelsea
10 4FW Wales Craig Bellamy* (1979-07-13)13 July 1979 (aged 33) 5 1 England Liverpool
17 4FW England Marvin Sordell (1991-02-17)17 February 1991 (aged 21) 3 0 England Bolton Wanderers

Records and statistics

[edit]

Summer Olympics record

[edit]

  Gold medalists    Silver medalists    Bronze medalists  

Summer Olympics Qualification Manager[93]
Year Host Round Pld W D L F A Squad Pos. Pld W D L F A
1908  United Kingdom Gold medal 3 3 0 0 18 1 Squad No qualification phase England Davis
1912  Sweden Gold medal 3 3 0 0 15 2 Squad England Birch
1920  Belgium First round 1 0 0 1 1 3 Squad Wales Latham
1924  France Did not enter
1928  Netherlands
1936  Germany Second round 2 1 0 1 6 5 Squad England Voisey
1948  United Kingdom Fourth place 4 2 0 2 9 11 Squad Scotland Busby
1952  Finland Preliminary round 1 0 0 1 3 5 Squad England Winterbottom
1956  Australia Second round 2 1 0 1 10 6 Squad 2nd 2 0 1 1 3 5 England Creek
1960  Italy Group stage 3 1 1 1 8 8 Squad 3rd 4 3 1 0 13 6
1964  Japan Did not qualify R1 4 3 0 1 13 5
1968  Mexico FR 4 1 1 2 2 2
1972  West Germany R1 2 1 0 1 1 5
1976  Canada Did not enter Did not enter
1980  Soviet Union
1984  United States
1988  South Korea
1992  Spain
1996  United States
2000  Australia
2004  Greece
2008  China
2012  United Kingdom Quarter-finals 4 2 2 0 6 3 Squad Qualified as hosts England Pearce
2016  Brazil Did not enter Did not enter
2020  Japan
2024  France
Total Gold medal 23 13 3 7 76 44 3/6 16 8 3 5 32 23

Olympic finals

[edit]

1908 final

[edit]
Great Britain 2–0 Denmark
Chapman 20'
Woodward 46'
Report
Attendance: 8,000

1912 final

[edit]
Great Britain 4–2 Denmark
Hoare 22', 41'
Walden 10'
Berry 43'
Report Olsen 27', 81'
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Christiaan Groothoff (Netherlands)

Full Olympic record

[edit]

This is a full round-up of Great Britain's performances at the Olympic Games.[94][95]

London 1908

20 October 1908 1908 Olympics – R1/QF Great Britain  12–1  Sweden London, UK
Stapley 10'
Woodward ?', ?'
Berry ?'
Chapman ?'
Purnell ?', ?', ?', ?'
Hawkes ?', ?'
Report Bergström 65' Stadium: White City Stadium
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: John Ibbotson (GB)
22 October 1908 1908 Olympics – SF Great Britain  4–0  Netherlands London, UK
Stapley 37', 60', 64', 75' Report Stadium: White City Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: John Howcroft (GB)
24 October 1908 1908 Olympics – Final Great Britain  2–0  Denmark London, UK
Chapman 20'
Woodward 65'
Report Stadium: White City Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: John Lewis (GB)


Stockholm 1912

30 June 1912 1912 Olympics – R2/QF Hungary Hungary 0–7  Great Britain Stockholm, Sweden
Report Walden 21', 23', 49', 55', 85'
Woodward 45', 53'
Stadium: Olympiastadion
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Christiaan Groothoff (Sweden)
4 July 1912 1912 Olympics – Final Denmark  2–4  Great Britain Stockholm, Sweden
Olsen 27', 81' Report Walden 10'
Hoare 22', 41'
Berry 43'
Stadium: Olympiastadion
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Christiaan Groothoff (Sweden)


Antwerp 1920


Berlin 1936

6 August 1936 1936 Olympics – R1 China  0–2  Great Britain Berlin, Nazi Germany
Report Dodds 55'
Finch 65'
Stadium: Mommsenstadion
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Helmut Fink (Nazi Germany)
8 August 1936 1936 Olympics – QF Poland  5–4  Great Britain Berlin, Nazi Germany
Gad 33'
Wodarz 43', 48', 53'
Piec 56'
Report Clements 26'
Shearer 71'
Joy 78', 80'
Stadium: Poststadion
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Rudolf Eklöw (Sweden)


Note: As of 1948, many Eastern Bloc states, such as Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, played with their full national sides in the Olympics, while Britain always competed with an amateur team, as per Olympic requirements.[96][97][98]


London 1948

5 August 1948 1948 Olympics – QF Great Britain  1–0  France London, UK
Hardisty 29' Report Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Karel van der Meer (Netherlands)
13 August 1948 1948 Olympics – Bronze Great Britain  3–5  Denmark London, UK
Aitken 5'
Hardisty 33'
Amor 63'
Report Præst 12', 49'
Hansen 16', 77'
Sørensen 41'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Karel van der Meer (Netherlands)


Helsinki 1952

16 July 1952 1952 Olympics – Prelim Luxembourg  5–3 (a.e.t.)  Great Britain Lahti, Finland
Roller 60', 95', 97'
Letsch 91'
Gales 102'
Report Robb 12'
Slater 101'
Lewis 118'
Stadium: Lahden kisapuisto
Attendance: 3,740
Referee: Vincenzo Orlandini (Italy)


Melbourne 1956

23 October 1955 1956 Olympics – Qualifying Bulgaria  2–0  Great Britain Sofia, Bulgaria
Stefanov 30'
Yanev 61'
Report Stadium: Vasil Levski National Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Giorgio Bernardi (Italy)
12 May 1956 1956 Olympics – Qualifying Great Britain  3–3
(3–5 agg.)
 Bulgaria London, UK
Hardisty 12', 62'
Lewis 77' (pen.)
Report Milanov 28'
Prince 32' (o.g.)
Dimitrov 66'
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Giorgio Bernardi (Italy)
Note: Britain lost 5–3 on aggregate, but earned a reprieve to compete in Melbourne[97]
26 November 1956 1956 Olympics – R1 Thailand  0–9  Great Britain Melbourne, Australia
Report Twissell 12', 20'
Lewis 21' (pen.)
Laybourne 30', 82', 85'
Bromilow 75', 78'
Topp 90'
Stadium: Olympic Park Stadium
Attendance: 3,693
Referee: Nikolay Latyshev (USSR)
30 November 1956 1956 Olympics – QF Bulgaria  6–1  Great Britain Melbourne, Australia
Dimitrov 6'
Kolev 40', 85'
Milanov 45', 75', 80'
Report Lewis 30' Stadium: Olympic Park Stadium
Attendance: 6,748
Referee: Ron Wright (Australia)


Rome 1960

21 November 1959 1960 Olympics – Qualifying Great Britain  3–2  Republic of Ireland Hove, UK
Devine 1'
Hasty 45', 80'
Report
Report
Aherne
Rice
Stadium: Goldstone Ground
Attendance: 7,800
Referee: Arthur Blavier (Belgium)
13 March 1960 1960 Olympics – Qualifying Republic of Ireland  1–3  Great Britain Dublin, Ireland
McGrath ?' Report
Report
Coates ?'
Brown ?'
Harding ?'
Stadium: Dalymount Park
Attendance: 19,000
2 April 1960 1960 Olympics – Qualifying Netherlands  1–5  Great Britain Zwolle, Netherlands
Hainje 29' Report Lewis ?', ?', ?'
Lindsay 25'
Brown 31'
Stadium: Oosterenkstadion or at ZAC
Attendance: 9,000
13 April 1960 1960 Olympics – Qualifying Great Britain  2–2
(GB qualify)[99]
 Netherlands London, UK
Brown ?'
Lewis ?'
Report De Kleermaeker ?'
Bouwman ?'
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 3,950



London 2012

26 July 2012 2012 Olympics – Groups Great Britain  1–1  Senegal Manchester, UK
20:00 Bellamy 20' Report Konaté 82' Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 72,176[101]
Referee: Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
1 August 2012 2012 Olympics – Groups Great Britain  1–0  Uruguay Cardiff, UK
19:45 Sturridge 45+1' Report Stadium: Millennium Stadium
Attendance: 70,438[103]
Referee: Nishimura (Japan)
4 August 2012 2012 Olympics – Quarter-finals Great Britain  1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
 South Korea Cardiff, UK
19:30 Ramsey 36' (pen.) Report Ji Dong-won 29' Stadium: Millennium Stadium
Attendance: 70,171[104]
Referee: Roldán (Colombia)
Penalties

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Menary, Steve (2010). GB United? British Olympic Football and the End of the Amateur Dream. Durington: Gardners Books. ISBN 978-1-905411-92-4.
  2. ^ a b c d e In some years, notably 1908, 1912 and 1956, the Great Britain Olympic team was the England national amateur football team playing in the colours of the United Kingdom. Sources differ as to whether this team should be considered a GB team or an England national team
  3. ^ a b c d e Beck, Peter J. (1999). Scoring for Britain. Routledge. p. 56. ISBN 9780714648996.
  4. ^ a b c d "Olympic Football Tournament (men)" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "GB football team to enter Games". BBC Sport. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 March 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "Nations pave way for 2012 GB team". BBC Sport. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell to lead GB Olympic teams". BBC Sport. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  8. ^ a b c "History of The FA". The FA. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  9. ^ Paul Mitchell. "The first international football match". BBC Scotland. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  10. ^ Football at the 1908 London Olympics Archived 24 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Sports-Reference.com
  11. ^ Football Tournament of the Olympic Games – Overview Archived 11 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine RSSF; Retrieved 12 December 2008
  12. ^ "The Fourth Olympiad (London), Official Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007. (14.0 MB) The British Olympic Council, 1908; Accessed 10 September 2011
  13. ^ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1909" (PDF). p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  14. ^ I Olympic Football Tournament (London 1908) Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Linguasport; Accessed 10 November 2011
  15. ^ a b "Happy to discuss Olympic team". Football Association. 10 July 2003. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  16. ^ Aarhus, Lars; Games of the IV Olympiad Archived 23 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine RSSSF, 15 October 1999; Retrieved 5 July 2006
  17. ^ II Olympic Football Tournament (Stockholm 1912) Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Linguasport; Accessed 10 November 2011
  18. ^ "Antwerp, 1920". FIFA. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  19. ^ Beck, Peter J. (1999). Scoring for Britain: International Football and International Politics, 1900–1939. London: Frank Cass Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7146-4899-6.
  20. ^ "History of FIFA – The first FIFA World Cup". FIFA. Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  21. ^ a b Arnold, A.J. Tony. 2004. Harnessing the Forces of Commercialism: The Financial Development of the Football Association, 1863–1975 Sport in Society 7 (2) 232–248; Accessed 10 April 2010 (Subscription required)
  22. ^ "Olympic Football Tournament Berlin 1936, Match Report, Poland-Great Britain". FIFA. Archived from the original on 27 October 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  23. ^ a b c Dee, Mac (9 July 1948). "Busby Will Get Best Out of Amateurs". Sporting Mirror. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  24. ^ VII Olympic Football Tournament (London 1948) Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Linguasport; Accessed 10 November 2011
  25. ^ a b c Plunkett, Paul (19 April 2012). "London 2012: GB team at 1960 Games united by love of football". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2 May 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  26. ^ "OTD: Football Olympians – The GB Olympic team played its last 'home' fixture on this day in 1971". The FA. 24 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  27. ^ Chapman, Mark. "About The Project". England's Amateurs. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  28. ^ Tomlinson, Alan. "The commercialization of the Olympics: Cities, corporations and the Olympic commodity" (PDF). University of Brighton. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  29. ^ a b McCarthy, David (28 March 1996). "Nat on Your Life; SNP Blasted over Babes Olympic Bid". Daily Record.[dead link]
  30. ^ Goodbody, John (12 November 2005). "Britain looks to Beijing after Scotland's snub to 2012 Games". The Times. Retrieved 5 July 2006.[dead link]
  31. ^ a b "Soccer-Italy win Olympics place after Under-21 play-off". Reuters.com. Thomson Reuters. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  32. ^ "Caborn blasts women's Games snub". BBC Sport. 4 December 2007. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  33. ^ Lisi, Clemente (20 February 2012). "Team Great Britain' for Olympics a Farce". RealClearSports.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  34. ^ a b c "No Scots for GB Olympic football". BBC Sport. 11 November 2005. Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  35. ^ "Wales oppose GB Olympic football". BBC Sport. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 14 February 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  36. ^ "FIFA Statutes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2007. (6.67 MB) FIFA, 12 September 2005; Retrieved 5 July 2006
  37. ^ Mackay, Duncan (20 October 2005). "Survey shows Scots back united Olympic team". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  38. ^ "FANS GROUPS OPPOSE GB OLYMPIC TEAM". NoTeamGB.com. 1 October 2006. Archived from the original on 6 July 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  39. ^ "Brown pays tribute to GB success". BBC Sport. 24 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  40. ^ "Salmond rejects UK football team". BBC News. 25 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  41. ^ "Smith 'excited' by Olympic team". BBC Sport. 2 September 2005. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  42. ^ a b "Blatter against British 2012 team". BBC Sport. 9 March 2008. Archived from the original on 24 December 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  43. ^ a b "Uefa chief warns against GB team". BBC Sport. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 September 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  44. ^ a b "GB football team gets Fifa assent". BBC Sport. 20 December 2008. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  45. ^ a b "Dai Greene believes football has 'no place' at Olympics". BBC Sport. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  46. ^ Williams, Dan. "Exclusive – Olympics chief Seb Coe on GB football team". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  47. ^ a b "London 2012 Olympics: Gareth Bale and non-English players have 'legal right' to play for Team GB". The Telegraph. 24 March 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  48. ^ "Great Britain Olympic football team agreement close". BBC Sport. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  49. ^ "Aaron Ramsey throws his weight behind Team GB for London 2012". The Guardian. Press Association. 2 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
  50. ^ a b Edwards, Luke (24 November 2011). "David Beckham on Stuart Pearce's list for London 2012 Olympics football team selection". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  51. ^ "Team GB selection policy". The FA. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  52. ^ "Ryan Giggs and David Beckham keen to play for Olympic football team". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. The Press Association. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  53. ^ "Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy included in Olympics Team GB shortlist". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  54. ^ "David Beckham in provisional 35-man Team GB squad for London 2012". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Press Association. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  55. ^ "Olympics Football: Wales' Neil Taylor reveals Team GB call-up". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  56. ^ "GB Olympic football teams to play in Manchester, London and Cardiff". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  57. ^ Gibson, Owen (24 April 2012). "Team GB draw Uruguay, United Arab Emirates and Senegal for Olympics". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  58. ^ a b Owen, Paul (2 July 2012). "London 2012 Olympics: 25 days to go - live blog". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
  59. ^ a b "Team GB Edged out in Marbella". The FA. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  60. ^ "London 2012: Stuart Pearce's Team GB to face Brazil in July friendly". The Guardian. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  61. ^ Taylor, Louise (20 July 2012). "Team GB 0-2 Brazil: London 2012 friendly match report". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  62. ^ a b Fletcher, Paul. "London 2012: Great Britain denied by late Senegal strike". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  63. ^ Taylor, Daniel (4 August 2012). "Olympics: Team GB out after Daniel Sturridge's penalty shootout miss". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  64. ^ Winter, Henry (5 August 2012). "London 2012 Olympics: Team GB players ready for England promotion despite penalty defeat to South Korea". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  65. ^ Toney, James. "LONDON 2012: Team GB football teams could be repeated for Rio and beyond". Sportsbeat. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  66. ^ Fletcher, Paul. "Olympics football: GB beaten by South Korea on penalties". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  67. ^ Kelso, Paul (14 August 2012). "British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Hunt criticises Football Association for lack of support". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  68. ^ "Kelly Smith laments Rio snub for GB women's football team". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  69. ^ a b c Rumsby, Ben (2 March 2015). "Football Association attempt to resurrect Team GB men's team for Rio Olympics". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  70. ^ "Football Association wants Great Britain sides at Rio Olympics". BBC Sport. 3 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  71. ^ a b "Fifa: Team GB will not compete at Rio unless all home nations agree". BBC Sport. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  72. ^ "Rio 2016: FA scraps plans for Great Britain football teams". BBC Sport. 30 March 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  73. ^ a b "Great Britain to hold talks on entering football team at 2020 Olympics". ESPN. 22 August 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  74. ^ a b c Slater, Matt (15 September 2016). "Could we see a Team GB football team return at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics". www.standard.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  75. ^ Reporter, Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports. "Fifa gives GB go ahead for football teams at Tokyo 2020". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  76. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Home nations agree to GB women's football team". BBC Sport. 1 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  77. ^ "Paris 2024: Team GB keen on return of men's football team at next Olympic Games".
  78. ^ "History: England-Spain | Under-21 2023 Final".
  79. ^ "British Olympic chiefs target 2028 men's football". BBC Sport. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  80. ^ Ingle, Sean (12 August 2024). "Team GB men's football team back on the Olympic table for Los Angeles 2028". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  81. ^ "LA Olympics 2028: FAW has 'never discussed' Team GB men's team".
  82. ^ Rappaport, Sarah. "UK Olympic Soccer Team in Chaos As Welsh, Scottish, And Northern Irish Still Say No". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  83. ^ a b "Team GB duo targeted by Welsh fans". Evening Standard. London. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  84. ^ "Ramsey makes Wales vow". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  85. ^ a b "Times chief football writer shuts down idea of Great Britain team". Nation.Cymru. 25 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  86. ^ WalesOnline (28 July 2012). "Welsh Team GB stars slammed over anthem controversy". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  87. ^ a b c Kelso, Paul (22 March 2012). "Team GB kit for London 2012 Olympics designed by Stella McCartney and Adidas launched". Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  88. ^ "Team GB Olympic kit launch – in pictures". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 22 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  89. ^ "Team GB 2012 Olympics Adidas Away Football Shirt". Football Shirt Culture. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  90. ^ "London 2012: Stuart Pearce wanted Euro 2012 players". BBC Sport. 19 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  91. ^ a b "David Beckham not selected for London 2012 football squad". BBC Sport. 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  92. ^ "Giggs to captain GB". BBC Sport. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  93. ^ Stuart Pearce joins an illustrious list of GB managers Archived 12 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine When Saturday Comes, 18 January 2011; Accessed 20 January 2011
  94. ^ EnglandStats.com Archived 5 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 12 August 2012
  95. ^ Great Britain's Amateur History 1908-71 Full list of Great Britain's internationals, including non-Olympics-related friendlies, as well as a list of warm-up friendlies against British club sides England Football Online; Retrieved 14 August 2012
  96. ^ Remembering GB's last Olympic match Archived 23 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine, When Saturday Comes, July 2012; Retrieved 12 August 2012
  97. ^ a b How Britain's footballers earned a reprieve to compete in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics Archived 9 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Inside the Games, 1 July 2012; Retrieved 12 August 2012
  98. ^ The GB Olympic team played its last ‘home’ fixture on this day in 1971 Archived 27 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine The FA, 24 March 2010; Retrieved 12 August 2012
  99. ^ X Olympic Football Tournament (Qualifying Stage) – Group 5 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Linguasport.com; Retrieved 14 August 2012
  100. ^ "FIFA.com". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  101. ^ "Great Britain – Senegal". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  102. ^ "Great Britain – United Arab Emirates". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  103. ^ "Great Britain – Uruguay". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  104. ^ "Great Britain – South Korea". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
[edit]