In an interview published today with The Scotsman, the Chancellor ,  the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, claims there is popular support in Scotland for the idea which has always been fiercely resisted by the Scottish Football Association who fear participation in a British Olympic side would jeopardise their participation in events like the World Cup and European Championships.

 

"Obviously we have Scottish national teams for the European and World Cups, but right from the start of the Olympics it's been a UK team," Brown told The Scotsman.

 

"I would expect there to be a UK football team.

 

"When I was at the first schools Olympics in Glasgow (last year) I met a young girl, 15 or 16, from Glasgow, who said come and see me swim on Saturday or, if you can't, come and see me swim in the Olympics of 2012.

 

"The enthusiasm for participating in the Olympics is there in Scotland and goes right across the United Kingdom.

 

"I think you'll find hosting the Olympics is something that will make people proud of the whole of the country of Britain."

 

But Brown's comments were condemned by Scottish supporters groups. Hamish Husband, spokesman for the Association of Tartan Army Clubs (ATAC) which is officially recognised by the SFA, insisted a Great Britain team would receive no backing from their members.

 

Husband also said that a joint campaign against the inclusion of a unified team in the 2012 games is being launched by ATAC and their counterparts in England (Football Supporters Federation), Wales (Football Supporters Federation Cymru) and Northern Ireland (Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Fan Clubs).

 

"There may be a GB international team at the 2012 Olympics, but even if it included 11 Scots in the starting line-up, it would be of no interest to the Tartan Army," said Husband.

 

"If the GB team, with 11 Scots, were playing Brazil, then the Tartan Army would support Brazil.

 

"We are totally opposed to the idea and it is a view shared by our colleagues in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

"We have a consistent dialogue with them and we will be campaigning strongly against a GB team taking part in the Olympic football tournament.

 

"All we are interested in is continuing to support our own teams in international football, whether it is Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

 

"A GB team means nothing to us and we are opposed to anything which might threaten the separate identity of our countries in a footballing sense."

 

Husband claimed Brown was backing the idea of a united GB team to court support among English voters.

 

"That's a dead cert," he said. "I think if a GB team was playing at Hampden, he would probably turn up wearing an England top."