Nevertheless most of the arguments have been reasoned and well thought out, proving that when it comes to open debate - Soccernet readers take their football seriously.

'The idea has been floated before and I absolutely detest the thought. I would support anybody else (everybody else) in preference to a GB team dominated (rightly) by English players.' Paul Coey

'Of course there should be a British football team, if only to ensure that the delights of watching the next George Best, Dennis Law or Ryan Giggs will not be lost to the wastelands of teams that will never grace the world stage.' Joe Evans (Anglo-Welsh), New York USA

'I have followed Scotland at three World Cups and had some of the best times of my life. If you think that I would risk life and limb following a team supported by maniacs - think again. It ain't broke, so don't fix it. As far as I'm concerned there is no 'Great' Britain, just a very average one. Long Live the Tartan Army!' Mike, Garlic, Scotland.

'International competitions are about football sides representing recognised sovereign nations. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not sovereign nations recognised by the UN (or the IOC for that matter). If FIFA wants to continue to allow pseudo-nations to compete in, for example, the World Cup, then why don't we allow Brittany, Quebec or the Confederate States of America to compete as well?' Darren Nelson, Sydney, Australia

'Having a Great Britain team would do nothing to improve the game at international level. The simple fact is that there are too many foreign players in the English Premiership. These clubs are hell bent on instant success and are not prepared or are unwilling to nurture home grown talent.' Eddie Small, Perth, W Australia

'I'm tired of explaining to foreigners the differences between England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Britain, The British Isles, and the UK. If you look at your passports it says United Kingdom. Every other footballing nation is just that - the national team. I've felt for years that we should have a UK national football team. It will build a sense of national pride, and it will give a chance to some super-talented players from Wales and Northern Ireland to have real international careers.' Neal Richardson

'The idea of a single home nation for football is rubbish, and proves that policitians (particularly those who probably don't know much about football) should stay out of sport. as an England supporter, notwithstanding our coaching and team problems who would we want from Scotland, Wales and NI? Maybe Ryan Giggs, that's all and never a Scots keeper. So let's keep our our football teams seperate ... forever.' Nigel Benton, Weymouth, Dorset

'It is obvious what the Home Secretary has between his ears - straw! Everyone outside England knows that a British team would consist of almost all English players irrespective of who were the best players at the time. It's the nature of the beasts.' Richard Evans

'I guess this pointless debate underlines how far England have fallen and how desperate they are for success! 10 Englishmen & Giggs? That is very sad.' Adrian, Australia

...and from the other side of the coin completely...

'Let me provide my two cents from a non-British point of view. Why should the British teams be allowed four chances at participating in the World Cup when every other country only has one. There are provinces in China with a greater population than of all of the British Isles put together, so should China have, say, ten teams try to qualify for the World Cup?' Arun Subramanian, Chicago USA