amsterdam 2000 we were above the dutch fans and away fans in lansdowne were often in the west lower. the north terrace is the most obvious place for away fans but having our own behind both goals would be ideal
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You've a great memory (musn't have been eating the funny cake), I remember being in the upper tier, but to be honest wasn't sure what was below, right behind the goal we were defending in the 2nd half, and a useless piece of information had almost identical seats for the last friendly there when Robbie scored the winner!
I think it's a long time since fans were in the west stand, up near the havelock sq end.
I think its fair to say the new Lansdowne will probably never see an Ireland England "friendly"
I reckon they will be invited to play soon after the ground is open, Trap has expressed his desire to play them and in fairness they have sorted out most of their problem on relation to who gets tickets, with their travel club.
I'd be very wary of trouble but still I reckon it's likely to happen.
I dont think there would be that much trouble. Over in England its not seen as 'cool' to be Irish, everyone like's to claim to having an irish granny! Also, the probs in the North of subsided to a certain extent and this in turn has increased anglo-irish relations.
Well I was at the game in 1991 when there were handbags when we drew 1-1 with them. I actually enjoyed that game though the wannabee English hardmen on O'Connell street after the game were a joke.
The 1995 version were sinister and very much over here to cause mayhem. I was around town leading up to and during the game and many white power nazi skinheads had travelled over. They situated the away supporters in the first game away from everyone and nobody could drop things on top of people. The second match where they were located was beyond ridiculous.
I'd like to play them again and continue our unbeaten record but I don't think it would do anybody any good to have away supporters here just to cause trouble. Lets hope if they do play its a good natured affair I cannot see it though.
I was in the upper west stand around half way line that night so I wasnt far away from them animals and there is no way in hell I would invite the English team to play in a friendly over here again no matter how the political situation improved. There are still alot of Hooligan elements attached to club football in England especially in the lower leagues and you could be pretty much guaranteed that they would love the opportunity to come over here and cause mayhem again, if not in the stadium at least in the city
Unfortunately many of the idiots who follow the English team around Europe (a significant minority I think it's fair to say) are not too concerned with current affairs. The events of the second world war fuel much of their hostility towards the Germans, Croatians, Italians etc. so I don't think the peace process in the North is going to change much.
I travelled to the world cup in 2006 as a neutral fan and found myself steering clear of the English mob on more than one occasion as they started their hate-filled chants about German bombers, no surrender and their long-faded empire. Although the English police have been very successful at moving trouble out of the domestic football grounds there is still a very nasty atmosphere surrounding the English national team away from home.
Ask any of the residents in Stuttgart -when England played there in July '06 there were glasses flying and riot police out in force, 3 months later all us Irish fans packed out the main square and held a party.
Having said all the above though we know the FAI won't think about all that if there's a chance to make a few bob:rolleyes: