The only foreigner was an Irishman

Terry Palmer of Barnsley alleges that British talent is being stifled by the numbers of foreign players in the Premier and Football Leagues.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2016, 06:13 BST
Updated 15th Apr 2016, 06:17 BST
Johnston's Paint Final Barnsley v Oxford Barnsley's George Williams celebrates the second goalJohnston's Paint Final Barnsley v Oxford Barnsley's George Williams celebrates the second goal
Johnston's Paint Final Barnsley v Oxford Barnsley's George Williams celebrates the second goal

If he watched his home town team playing against Oxford United at Wembley recently he would have seen a match which, by common consent, was a credit to the third and fourth tiers of English football.

The only “foreigner” in the Reds team was Irishman Conor Hourihane.

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The Premier League now claims the likes of Kane, Vardy, Stones, Barkley, Sturridge, Welbeck, Alli, Butland, Dier and other home-grown players who would command colossal transfer fees.

So much for our game being “foreign-money driven”.

The English game has benefited from the influx of foreign players: you only get to be the best by playing with and against the best.

In the “good old days” before “foreigners” spoiled the party for the xenophobes among us, the fine players I saw playing for Barnsley and Oxford would be performing at least two divisions higher.

Brian H Sheridan

Redmires Road , S10

Related topics:BarnsleyConor HourihaneWembleyOxford United