(02 Feb 2016, 11:35 am)MrFozz wrote Mint...
Seen England play 4 times in the North East Now...
1999 Belgium 2-1 SoL
2003 Turkey 2-0 SoL
2004 Ukraine 3-0 SJP
2005 Azerbaijan 2-0 SJP
The Turkey game was one of the worst atmospheres I have ever experienced at a Football Match, it was electric, but also very nasty...The murder of 2 Leeds Fans in 2000 in Istanbul was still fresh in peoples minds and I have not seen a Police operation like it at a football match, the ring of steel round Sunderland that night was mad, there was over 5,000 Police Officers kicking about that night. I have never seen racism like it at a football match and I was very ashamed in that I was very involved in some of the racism
Tbh, i'd rather see it play at Newcastle because atm Sunderland haven't got any decent hotels...... will change soon though when the Hilton opens near the stadium AND the one in Joplings - when work starts on it, not sure when that will be.
I think the council have noticed we need hotels and many years later... they have started.
I don't remember much about the Leeds fans, i was 8 or 9.