But having the Lions doesn't prevent having national teams in Rugby so why not in football?
Just been looking up the history of the Lions which started over a century ago. Maybe in another century we will look back and say what was the fuss about Team GB.
Know I am flogging a dead horse, just feel it is a shame we can't work together to overcome obstacles.

there are 10 nations playing rugby at a reasonable level in the world (if you include argentina and italy) if you grouped the home nations together then there would be no point so there is no danger of the home nations losing there teams
there are way too many footballing nations in europe never mind the world meaning that quailfing for major events is too long so fifa and uefa want to lose a few nations by combining teams like GB by putting a team into the 2012 this would give them ammo