what does 'caps' mean

[slinky.kate]

if a footballer wins say fifty caps is that how many goals he's scored???

[mike11111]

No, it's the number of times he's been selected to play for his country

[boxtops]

You get a cap every time you are chosen to be in your country's team for that sport.

[boxtops]

PS mike, do you actually still get a cap, or is it just on your record these days (now people don't seem to wear caps)?

[Buenchico]

Further to Mike's post, see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_%28sport%29

[slinky.kate]

i am trying to find out'how many scotland caps did ian mc millan win while a rangers player

[Stephen_G]

At the Cricket, Michael Beer (Making his Australian debut) was awarded his Baggy Green "Cap" by Shane Warne. Not too sure about Footballers though.

[mike11111]

I don't think so in Football, but maybe in other sports, cricket for example. I remember seeing a photo years ago of Billy Wright (then the most capped player for England and married to one of the Beverley Sisters) with 105 caps on his head!

[boxtops]

Thanks Chris, font of knowledge as ever ♥

[Milvus]

He was capped 6 times

[slinky.kate]

thank you milvus,

[MarkRae]

Strictly speaking, a player is "capped" when he or she actually represents his or her country in competitive international competition, i.e. actually takes to the field of play. Just being selected for the national team does not constitute a cap...

[mike11111]

Who was capped 6 times?

[Milvus]

Ian Macmillan, see Kate's post about half way down

[boxtops]

I wondered that MR, if someone is selected but just sits on the bench, does that not count as a cap, then?

[MarkRae]

No it doesn't.

[slinky.kate]

how did you find that milvus ,i have been trying to google it but could'nt make sense of it

[Milvus]

He has a wikipedia page Kate

[jno]

they're going to be wearing Baggy Pinks on one of the days in the current Ashes test

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ford/adam_aussies.jpg

For a breast cancer charity (in memory of Glenn McGrath's wife)

[Fair-Stumped]

Kate,

Although Ian McMillan did win six Scotland caps these were all while he played for Airdrieonians. His last cap was in 1956 and he joined Rangers in 1958. He scored his only two international goals on his debut against USA in 1952.

[codswallop]

This is not a question but an observation,why do so many players,Rio Ferdinand comes to mind,calls themselves FOOTBLAS????????