(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 [CRYING FACE]
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.