SPORTS Minister Tony Banks said yesterday he hoped to see a return of the annual full international fixture between Scotland and England .
His comments came before he kicked off a match between Scottish and English
MPs at West Ham's Upton Park which saw England win 2-1 victory and take away the inaugural Football Trust Challenge Cup.
Mr Banks said: ''I've made it clear, as Sports Minister, I would personally welcome a move towards playing the fixture again.
''These are decisions for the two football associations, but it would be a nice way to celebrate the millennium or the reopening of Wembley Stadium after it is renovated.''
Both the Scottish Football Association and the FA said they could not rule out reviving the fixture.
Mr David Findlay, of the SFA, said: ''It had become increasingly difficult to find a suitable time to play the match.'' The SFA hoped a match might be played when Hampden Park re-opens.
An FA spokesman said: ''This has been a fixture of great history over the years, but it is not just a matter for the two football associations, there's also a security issue. There are a number of factors to take into account.''
Pitch invasions over the years were among the reasons why the fixture was stopped following the last match in 1989, he said.
The score in the MPs' match was level at half-time after goals from Labour's Jim Fitzpatrick, a Scot despite his east London constituency, and Loughborough Labour MP Andy Reed.
A goal from Hove Labour MP Ivor Caplin midway through the second half settled the game.
The Scottish MPs' coach, national boss Craig Brown, said: ''I think we were worth at least a draw.''
qConservative Life Peer Lord Taylor of Warwick played for the Scottish side, claiming ''a Scottish mother-in-law''.
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