Back from Japan

[Dave M]

Well I made it back and just about recovered enough from jet lag to enjoy England progressing to the quarter finals.

I have read some reports in the press regarding the England supporters impecable behaviour out there and can only agree whole heartedly. The Japaneese absolutely took us to their hearts.

Seasoned and dare I say hardened England supporters hope that this will be a watershed and we will start to loose our infamous image abroad. The next games in Europe after the tournament will be the test.

Getting into Japan seemed even longer than the 14 hour flight, check after check, clearly they pride themselves on their organiastion and preparedness. I mistook an area of Osaka as the address for my first hotel in Tokyo, the result, all my documents and hotel details were double checked.

 

Saitama. 1-1 Sweden.

Going to the game many people were nervous, didn't really know what to expect, there were so many reports of potential heavy handed policing. Turned out to be rather surreal.

All the tickets were colour coded designating the area of the stadium where your seat was, the underground stations were simarly colour coded, mine was red. So I got of the tube at the alotted station. Up the escalator, large open area, loads of people, look for the red route, through the red gate, a path through allotments? loads and loads of vegetables went on for miles right up to 200 yards or so of the stadium, felt right weird, not exactly Wembly Way. Getting out again was murder a few of the England fans called it the Saitama Shuffle.

 

Sapporo 1-0 Beat the Argies.

This was the game, one of those Bedford Town moments, that only happen now and again in your life. The post match celebrations went on and on and on. These celebrations saw unpresedenented reactions from the Japaneese they just don't sing shout and party in the streets as they did that night. The locals brought us Beer and Sake, joined us in singing. Sights, sounds and fantastic memories that will live long brilliant. I collapsed about 4 am in the middle of the park and suddenly realised that I needed food. So I headed straight for the nearest Yoshinoya.

Yoshinoya is the Japaneese equivalent of our Kebab, strips of beef with onion on top of a bowl of rice, tastes geat, but only when your drunk.

 

Osaka 0-0 Nigeria.

Sunburn and photographs with the natives who had as I said previously had taken the English supporters to their hearts. I wore a bandanna and together with the Fleet flag, well if I had one photograph taken it must have been 200, incredible.

So there I am 6500 miles from Stonebridge Road, baking hot sun, surrounded by Japaneese, and this voice booms out " So when the f**k are you gonna pay us for Liam Hatch then ?" It was the Herne Bay Lads we set up Kent corner along with Sheepy United and Lordswood joining us. Great fun.

 

I'll probably get to post more about my trip as memories come flooding back, BBC 10'oclock news is a story in its self.

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Its good to see you back safe and well Dave! <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

 

Sounds like the "being there" was as good as it looked on the telly!

 

Lets hope you haven't brought the luck back with you, at least that flag of yours has now seen a victory or two! <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

[wobbly Wayne II]

The whole question of trouble / hooligans running riot in Japan, was blown out of proportion by all aspects of the media.. Being a seasoned footie fan, and an away England regular in my hey day.. I can't remember any trouble at Far off jaunts , especially expensive ones like Japan.

 

Don't kid yourself the problems gone away, it ain't.

 

The next world cup is in Germany.. Thats very close, easy and cheap to get to, many ways of getting there, and easy to sneak away from when it starts going off and recriminations start.

A different prospect altogether , but I like your optimism.

 

Superb performance, in getting your flag in prominent positions , certainly brought a bit of excitement to the games, as first one in the pub to spot it, got their drinks bought for them for the remainder of the match.

 

Well played.

[I.C.@G&NFC]

I was saying much the same thing the other night. With the cheapness of air travel and the closeness of the venues, it's just as easy to travel to games in Germany than it is to travel away to Newcastle, Sunderland or Midd*****rough.

 

Oh! In case anyone is wondering, I'm not a Geordie with a chip on his shoulder, the messageboard censor cut those five letters.