FAW behind home internationals

The Football Association of Wales have welcomed the prospect of a revived Home International tournament in 2013.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford has confirmed provisional discussions have taken place with a view to resurrecting the defunct championship, which was a regular fixture on the football calendar until 1984.

"I can confirm some provisional discussions have taken place but they are just discussions at the moment with regard to what the remit of the 2013 tournament could be," Ford said. "I can certainly suggest, on behalf of the Football Association of Wales, that if England did come back into the fold for a competition we would delighted to take part ourselves."

The English Football Association revealed on Tuesday they were considering arranging a series of friendlies with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to coincide with their 150th anniversary celebrations in two years' time.

They stressed suggestions that the home internationals could return on a regular basis were wide of the mark but the FAW would welcome playing the tournament on a one-off basis.

Wales are competing in the new Carling Nations Cup with Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland this year and Ford would be pleased to see England involved in 2013.

He added: "I don't know the exact details of how it would work but what we are talking about at this moment would be a one-off.

"It is the FA's 150th anniversary and it is very much a celebratory tournament in that respect.

"But I remember those matches as a kid. They are fantastic and take friendlies to a different level. They would be competitive matches, not friendlies.

"For the fans, what a great opportunity it would be to see those come back."