If Norfolk became an independent state, what would its national football team look like?

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Spillane playing for Norwich City. Picture: Mark Chapman/Focus ImagesMichael Spillane playing for Norwich City. Picture: Mark Chapman/Focus Images (Image: Focus Images 2010)

An amateur regional team already exists in Yorkshire and competes in the CONIFA World Cup for nations which are not recognised by FIFA, alongside states such as Tibet, Zanzibar and Northern Cyprus.

Further afield most Spanish regions such as Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia also have their own teams with stars which have included Barcelona's Gerard Pique, now-retired former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas.

But how would a team for Norfolk line-up? Below is a potential starting 11 and subs that were either born in the county or lived in it for five years prior to the age of 18 as FIFA's eligibility rules state:

Goalkeeper - Angus Gunn (Southampton): Born in Norwich, the 23-year-old starts in goal with strong competition from Preston's Declan Rudd, Aston Villa's Jed Steer and Aberdeen's Joe Lewis.

Right-back - Reece Hall-Johnson (Northampton Town): Another one of City's youth cup heroes, Hall-Johnson played in midfield during his time with City's youth teams however he is now being deployed as a right-back for Northampton Town.

Eastern Daily Press: Jason Shackell during his time at Norwich City. Photo: Action Images / Brandon MaloneJason Shackell during his time at Norwich City. Photo: Action Images / Brandon Malone (Image: Archant)

Centre-back - Jason Shackell (Lincoln City): A fan-favourite during his time at Norwich and a second Lincoln City player in the team, despite being born in Stevenage, Shackell began his career in the Canaries' academy.

Centre-back - Michael Spillane (Chelmsford City): The former Republic of Ireland youth international progressed through Norwich's academy before featuring 26 times for the first team.

Left-back - Harry Toffolo (Lincoln City): A member of Norwich City's FA Youth Cup winning side, Toffolo has now made over 60 appearances for the Imps after joining from Millwall in 2018.

Defensive midfield - Tom Adeyemi (currently unattached): A controversial choice given that Adeyemi's last club was Ipswich Town, the defensive midfielder moved to Norwich at the age of five, joining the Canaries in 2000.

Right midfield - Josh Murphy (Cardiff City): Obviously qualifies the same way as his brother, Murphy who usually plays at left-back for Cardiff City has been shoehorned in on the right to fit both twins in.

Left midfield - Jacob Murphy (Sheffield Wednesday, on-loan from Newcastle United): Despite being born in Wembley, the Murphy twins qualify for the side having moved to Norwich at the age of 13.

Eastern Daily Press: Tom Adeyemi playing for Oldham Athletic. Photo: Peter ByrneTom Adeyemi playing for Oldham Athletic. Photo: Peter Byrne (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Attacking midfield - Todd Cantwell (Norwich City): The only player in the team currently playing for the Canaries, born in Dereham, and a lifelong Norwich fan, perhaps Cantwell is a strong favourite for the captaincy.

Forward - Dom Dwyer (Orlando City): A product of King's Lynn's youth academy, Dwyer has been scoring for fun in the MLS, with 24 goals in 65 league appearances for Orlando City.

Forward - Chris Martin (Derby County): Despite being born in Suffolk, Martin joined the Norwich youth system in 1998 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Canaries, he has since played for Derby County, Hull City and Fulham among others.

Eastern Daily Press: Jacob Murphy playing for Newcastle United. Photo: Owen HumphreysJacob Murphy playing for Newcastle United. Photo: Owen Humphreys (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Manager - Paul Warne (Rotherham United)

Subs from: Declan Rudd (Preston), Jed Steer (Aston Villa), Joe Lewis (Aberdeen), Ian Henderson (Rochdale), Richard Brindley (Chelmsford City), Carlton Morris (Rotherham United, on-loan from Norwich City), Cameron McGeehan (Barnsley), Cameron Norman (Walsall), Luke Hannant (Cambridge United)

Eastern Daily Press: Josh Murphy in action for Cardiff City. Photo: Simon GallowayJosh Murphy in action for Cardiff City. Photo: Simon Galloway (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

You can select your Norfolk-qualified XI from the options in the list above or make suggestions for other eligible candidates in the comments section of this article.

Eastern Daily Press: Todd Cantwell of Norwich in action during the Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesTodd Cantwell of Norwich in action during the Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)

- Academy products such as Jamal Lewis, Max Aarons and Ben Godfrey have been omitted as they joined the club from other youth sides meaning they would have not spent five years with the club prior to their 18th birthday.

Eastern Daily Press: Chris Martin playing against Norwich City for Fulham. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdChris Martin playing against Norwich City for Fulham. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

Eastern Daily Press: Dom Dwyer in Sporting Kansas City action. Picture: MIKE GUNNOEDom Dwyer in Sporting Kansas City action. Picture: MIKE GUNNOE (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Angus Gunn in Premier League action for Southampton. Photo: Peter ByrneAngus Gunn in Premier League action for Southampton. Photo: Peter Byrne (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Eastern Daily Press: Harry Toffolo playing against Everton for Lincoln City. Photo: Nick PottsHarry Toffolo playing against Everton for Lincoln City. Photo: Nick Potts (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Eastern Daily Press: Reece Hall-Johnson in FA Youth Cup action for Norwich City. Photo: Jason DawsonReece Hall-Johnson in FA Youth Cup action for Norwich City. Photo: Jason Dawson (Image: JASONPIX)