Owen Hargreaves

[Bigpapa42]

I know Hargreaves is Canadian by birth (Calgary), but that he plays for England based on his parentage. And while I'm sure its a sore spot for some Canadian soccer fans, I can't really blame him for doing so - he's good enough to get caps with the English squad, which means he gets to play in most major tournaments, something that is not as likely playing for Canada.

But I'm curious if anyone knows the exact reasoning that lead him to play for England over Canada.

[Joe MacCarthy]

The anti-CSA brigade will tell you that he was put off Canada because he was cut by a U16 team by Tony Taylor. (He was underaged and too small).

He stated later on Soccercentral that he would play for Canada. He played three countries off against each other and possibly a fourth. His old man who was from Bolton Eng. wanted him to play for England (mother was from Wales) and he might have had eligibility for Germany.

He was hated by many for his lying about playing for Canada. It is now water under the bridge as the topic was debated ad nauseum, ad infinitem and is definately now laid to rest.

[canadiansoccerrules redded]

The anti-CSA brigade will tell you that he was put off Canada because he was cut by a U16 team by Tony Taylor. (He was underaged and too small).

He stated later on Soccercentral that he would play for Canada. He played three countries off against each other and possibly a fourth. His old man who was from Bolton Eng. wanted him to play for England (mother was from Wales) and he might have had eligibility for Germany.

He was hated by many for his lying about playing for Canada. It is now water under the bridge as the topic was debated ad nauseum, ad infinitem and is definately now laid to rest.


He wanted to do what was best for his international career,
every players wants to make it to the world cup (except the canadian team) Hargraves had no other choice, he saw Canada going no where internationally so he made the right decision. Just like young DeGuzman will when he
elects to play for Holland.

[TopDogg]

He wanted to do what was best for his international career,
every players wants to make it to the world cup (except the canadian team) Hargraves had no other choice, he saw Canada going no where internationally so he made the right decision. Just like young DeGuzman will when he
elects to play for Holland.
You are such a pompous p.o.s., Beast.

The Canadian team doesn't want to make it to the World Cup? Hargreaves made the right decision? Why the hell do you even bother calling yourself Canadian?

[CanuckFan]

I know Hargreaves is Canadian by birth (Calgary), but that he plays for England based on his parentage. And while I'm sure its a sore spot for some Canadian soccer fans, I can't really blame him for doing so - he's good enough to get caps with the English squad, which means he gets to play in most major tournaments, something that is not as likely playing for Canada.

But I'm curious if anyone knows the exact reasoning that lead him to play for England over Canada.
English father, English grandfather lived with him in Calgary, brothers born in England, watched and supported England at home growing up.
He was approached by Wales but decided not to commit to them. He then held off committing for Canada until his pro career was firmly established (his experience with Cdn youth teams and the CSA was not positive). Would have played for Canada but his unexpectedly good showing for Bayern as a 20 yr old in their double Champions League/Bundesliga title season led to interest from England. He couldn't turn them down.

[Bigpapa42]

English father, English grandfather lived with him in Calgary, brothers born in England, watched and supported England at home growing up.
He was approached by Wales but decided not to commit to them. He then held off committing for Canada until his pro career was firmly established (his experience with Cdn youth teams and the CSA was not positive). Would have played for Canada but his unexpectedly good showing for Bayern as a 20 yr old in their double Champions League/Bundesliga title season led to interest from England. He couldn't turn them down.

Thanks. I figured it was something along those lines, but I wasn't entirely certain.

[TopDogg]

CF forgot the part where Hargreaves went on Canadian TV and pledged his international future to Canada before suiting up for England. :rolleyes:

[CanuckFan]

CF forgot the part where Hargreaves went on Canadian TV and pledged his international future to Canada before suiting up for England. :rolleyes:
He asked for the reasoning behind it. Not a blow by blow account. Hargreaves said he would play for Canada one day (as I said) but then was given the surprise opportunity to play for England.

[TopDogg]

He asked for the reasoning behind it. Not a blow by blow account. Hargreaves said he would play for Canada one day (as I said) but then was given the surprise opportunity to play for England.
The answer you gave was pretty much a blow-by-blow account, minus one sucker punch, of course.

[TopDogg]

De Guzman the next Hargreaves? (http://sportsjunkie.ca/?p=3)

[Daniel from Montréal]

Pretty one-sided article.

Comparing Gyaki and McKenna to the likes of Robben or RVN. We do have top players, but the author chose to ignore it to add "drama" to his piece.

However, I tend to agree with his conclusion. The Whore decided to play for England because his father and his siblings all supported England and probably encouraged him to do so. With Julian and the Deguzman clan firmly on Canada's side, I doubt that he'll go against the family grain.

[TopDogg]

Pretty one-sided article.

Comparing Gyaki and McKenna to the likes of Robben or RVN. We do have top players, but the author chose to ignore it to add "drama" to his piece.

However, I tend to agree with his conclusion. The Whore decided to play for England because his father and his siblings all supported England and probably encouraged him to do so. With Julian and the Deguzman clan firmly on Canada's side, I doubt that he'll go against the family grain.
I'll admit something, I'm the author. :o

It is a one-sided article, only because I feel so strongly about the subject. And yeah, I used McKenna and Gyaki for dramatic effect, but the point still stands. I love both of those guys, but neither of them would get a sniff on the Holland squad.

[CdnBhoy67 redded]

CF forgot the part where Hargreaves went on Canadian TV and pledged his international future to Canada before suiting up for England. :rolleyes:

How many other people make a pledge to their place of employment only
to bolt it when a better chance comes along? It happens all the time.

[CdnBhoy67 redded]

You are such a pompous p.o.s., Beast.

The Canadian team doesn't want to make it to the World Cup? Hargreaves made the right decision? Why the hell do you even bother calling yourself Canadian?

I was born here, i didn't have a say in the matter, pompous twit. How would
you like it if someone told you where you could work and where you couldn't,
you'd be the first one crying for your right to work where YOU wanted,
so let Hargraves and J DeGuzman get on with things and lighten up dude.

[TopDogg]

I was born here, i didn't have a say in the matter, pompous twit.
You have a say in the matter now. Get the ******** out.

Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

How would
you like it if someone told you where you could work and where you couldn't,
you'd be the first one crying for your right to work where YOU wanted,
so let Hargraves and J DeGuzman get on with things and lighten up dude.
They can work wherever the hell they want.

How many other people make a pledge to their place of employment only
to bolt it when a better chance comes along? It happens all the time.
Playing for the national team has absolutely nothing to do with employment. He's already employed, at Bayern.

[CanuckFan]

I'll admit something, I'm the author. :o

It is a one-sided article, only because I feel so strongly about the subject. And yeah, I used McKenna and Gyaki for dramatic effect, but the point still stands. I love both of those guys, but neither of them would get a sniff on the Holland squad.

Well you've got a full blown technicolour imagination and a massive problem with Hargreaves. "Went in front of the national media and pledged his future to Canada"? Huh? Really?
"Can't win a place over Nicky Butt". Check the stats; you're wrong.
"Hargreaves showed his true colours, as a glory-hunting mercenary with no real pride in his heart." Really. I think he takes massive pride in playing for the country of his father and grandfather and brothers. Nobody else in Canada would even get a sniff from the FA although young de Guzman MIGHT, but he has a long way to go to fill Hargreave's shoes as a soccer player.
I wish Jonathan all the best and hope you show some class in treating him like a person not a pariah as I would say the odds long in favour of him suiting up for Canada.

[hobbes]

Did Hargreaves not say on Soccer Central that he planned to play for Canada once he had setttled his club career out. This was a Canada over Wales decision and everyone is entitled to changing their minds. But had he not said this I think the vitriol would be less.

Well Terry Dunfield got more than a sniff from the FA. Which compounded my bitterness about the English FA.

Canadian fans treated Hargreaves quite well until he bolted. There was a petition showing that Canadian fans backed him and we sent him at least one Christmas card. Which he kindly thanked us for.

Jonathan DeGuzman is a different case to me. He lives in Holland and plays there. Has for five years I believe. They've given him a chance to further his career and he lives there. I would be disappointed if he opted not to play for Canada, but he has at least lived in the country he would represent and spent a large chunk of his life there. I think people would be more understanding.

cheers,
hobbes

[PsychedelicCeltic]

All of this crap gives me massive respect for Ryan Giggs, who would be in the England team now well into his football career, but chose to represent Wales instead.

[TopDogg]

Did Hargreaves not say on Soccer Central that he planned to play for Canada once he had setttled his club career out. This was a Canada over Wales decision and everyone is entitled to changing their minds. But had he not said this I think the vitriol would be less.
Thank you. Apparently a nationally-televised soccer show on the number two cable sports network in Canada is not the enough for Hargreaves' eternal apologist. :rolleyes:

Well Terry Dunfield got more than a sniff from the FA. Which compounded my bitterness about the English FA.
Quite true. And look where he is now.

Even the almighty FA does not have a crystal ball to see where a teenaged player will be 5 years down the line.

Canadian fans treated Hargreaves quite well until he bolted. There was a petition showing that Canadian fans backed him and we sent him at least one Christmas card. Which he kindly thanked us for.
I had forgotten about that card.

Hargreaves was followed quite eagerly on the V's board until he pledged his future to England.

Jonathan DeGuzman is a different case to me. He lives in Holland and plays there. Has for five years I believe. They've given him a chance to further his career and he lives there. I would be disappointed if he opted not to play for Canada, but he has at least lived in the country he would represent and spent a large chunk of his life there. I think people would be more understanding.
My thoughts exactly. JDG Jr. would be a huge loss if he ended up playing for Holland, but it would sting far less because (as of yet) he hasn't said a thing about his international future other than that he wants to focus on his club side until he's firmly entrenched, at which point he'll weigh his options for the future. Even that was said by proxy, I think.

So while the fence-sitting is a little unnerving, at least he's being honest.

And like I wrote, I have a suspicion that playing alongside Julian will be far too tempting for young Jonathan to turn down.

"Hargreaves showed his true colours, as a glory-hunting mercenary with no real pride in his heart." Really. I think he takes massive pride in playing for the country of his father and grandfather and brothers.
I think that sums it up right there.

If he takes so much pride in England, then he should take pride in never returning to Canada when his playing career's done. And he should take his father and brothers with him.

[CanuckFan]

Hargreaves was interviewed by a reporter at a Calgary gym while recovering from an ankle injury which had kept him out of most of the Bayern season. He had yet to get a look on the Bayern senior team, and certainly was not on the radar for England. He said he would play for Canada someday and I am sure at that point in time he was quite sure he would. After he, as you call it, 'pledged his future for Canada in front of the national media', he returned to Bayern a month or two later and got his break. When England came calling, he changed his mind. If you want to take away his citizenship for that high act of treason, get a life.