There has always been a debate in pubs and in the media that if you could combine the home nations into one international football team, which players would you pick?

The answer is usually the best 10 English players and a left winger who is actually left-footed. In the past it was Ryan Giggs. Now it is Gareth Bale.

For Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland it has always been insulting to be considered not to have players of a good enough quality to play in this fictional side.

So when London was chosen to host the 2012 Olympics, it was seen as a good idea — and a one-off — to enter a Great British team.

The last time Great Britain entered a football team into the Olympics was in 1960, where they fell at the first hurdle.

As London 2012 approached and the men’s squad was being drafted, it was pretty much seen as the leftover

England players who weren’t going to Euro 2012, plus Bale and Giggs, would represent Team GB.

Bale pulled out due to a back injury and five Welsh players, including Giggs, were selected. No Scottish or Irish players were called up.

Fast forward to 2015 and the English Football Association were keen to put a team together for Rio 2016.

But Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland opposed the idea and the plan fell apart last week.

It doesn’t make much of a difference for the men but it is a big deal for the women.

The Olympics raised the profile of women’s football, with their matches attracting large crowds and pulling in many new fans.

Nearly 700,000 supporters watched 71 goals scored across the 26 matches played at six different stadiums.

Even Fifa were surprised: “It shows what a vital and robust part football plays in the Olympic Games.”

The recent announcement didn’t cause many shockwaves among the male professionals, apart from Stuart Pearce, but a lot of female players expressed their disappointment.

Alex Scott, who played right back at London 2012, said last week: “It’s like it’s an opportunity missed again. For women’s football, the Olympics is seen as a major sporting event.

“For us it’s an opportunity to go and play on that world stage and further progress women’s football in this country.

“I can understand from the male point of view, all the politics that goes into men’s football.

“For women’s football in general I think we need to be part of a major tournament like this. It’s up there with the World Cup and European Championship.”

If we are to get more girls involved and improve the fortunes of the national teams, we can’t miss out on the 2016 Games.

Women’s football was only added to the Olympics in 1996 but the final that year was attended by 76,489.

The final at Wembley three years ago was played in front of a crowd of 80,203. There is interest.

There must be a way to enter a women’s team or for the home nations to come to some sort of agreement.

Even if you put in a really weak men’s team to give the women a go, and they would be among the favourites, then surely that is the right thing to do?

Fifty-five thousand fans attended the England v Germany women’s game at Wembley.

And the new highlights show on the BBC for the Women’s Super League as well as coverage on BT Sport, where they are showing live games, is proof that the British public are interested in women’s football.

As always, it’s a case of men making a decision that will affect women without actually consulting them.

If those in charge actually thought about who is really missing out then they might change their minds.

I wouldn’t hold my breath.