Republic v England Abandoned

[Jack D Rips]

Thirteen years ago today the match at Lansdownne Road was abandoned because of trouble caused by English hooligans. The Republic were leading 1 - 0 at the time.

I was at the match with my two young sons and it was honestly one of the most frightening experiences of my life.

Was anyone else there and what were their experiences?

[Shaggy]

I can't believe that was 13 years ago.

[Maestro]

I remember it well - shocking stuff. Every young scumbag in Dublin got on the first bus in the direction of Landsdowne Road looking for a ruckus with the yobs who started it.
I don't think the Gardaí were in any way prepared for it.
All the pubs in the city centre put their shutters down and there was a weird vibe around the town.

I'll never forget the TV pictures of that one kid looking ****-scared.

[johnp]

I remember it well - shocking stuff. Every young scumbag in Dublin got on the first bus in the direction of Landsdowne Road looking for a ruckus with the yobs who started it.
I don't think the Gardaí were in any way prepared for it.
All the pubs in the city centre put their shutters down and there was a weird vibe around the town.

I'll never forget the TV pictures of that one kid looking ****-scared.

There was a documentary about it last year or the year before. It showed the cops running towards Lansdowne (under the West Stand) and into a tunnel. A few minutes later they were running out of it and trying to find the right way into the stadium.
They hadn't a clue what was going on. Proper Keystone Cops stuff.

[Jack D Rips]

I remember it well - shocking stuff. Every young scumbag in Dublin got on the first bus in the direction of Landsdowne Road looking for a ruckus with the yobs who started it.
I don't think the Gardaí were in any way prepared for it.
All the pubs in the city centre put their shutters down and there was a weird vibe around the town.

I'll never forget the TV pictures of that one kid looking ****-scared.

It was indeed a frightening experience. I remember the do gooders at the time saying it was regrettable, but was the actions of a small minority of a couple of hundred hooligans, when my own eyes told me it was more like a couple of thousand scumbags who occupied the top tier of the west stand.

[johnp]

There was a documentary about it last year or the year before. It showed the cops running towards Lansdowne (under the West Stand) and into a tunnel. A few minutes later they were running out of it and trying to find the right way into the stadium.
They hadn't a clue what was going on. Proper Keystone Cops stuff.

Although they did crack some heads in the end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntc0kgshzYk

[Maestro]

Although they did crack some heads in the end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntc0kgshzYk

Did they frog march them out to Dun Laoghaire onto the boat in the end as well? Or am I imagining that bit?

[Jack D Rips]

Did they frog march them out to Dun Laoghaire onto the boat in the end as well? Or am I imagining that bit?

I have taht recollection as well, although I think a few of them spent a few days in the "Joy"

[Craig_H]

I can't believe that was 13 years ago.

Same here.

[Neil Young]

It was indeed a frightening experience. I remember the do gooders at the time saying it was regrettable, but was the actions of a small minority of a couple of hundred hooligans, when my own eyes told me it was more like a couple of thousand scumbags who occupied the top tier of the west stand.

What "do-gooders" are these then?

Most "do-gooders" I know are usually reluctant to support the activities of mindless idiots organized by Nazis.

[Neil Young]

There was a documentary about it last year or the year before. It showed the cops running towards Lansdowne (under the West Stand) and into a tunnel. A few minutes later they were running out of it and trying to find the right way into the stadium.
They hadn't a clue what was going on. Proper Keystone Cops stuff.

Was Ian Blair in charge?

[Jack D Rips]

What "do-gooders" are these then?

Most "do-gooders" I know are usually reluctant to support the activities of mindless idiots organized by Nazis.

Sorry I probably used the wrong word.

The people I meant were the ones who regularly suggest that it was only a mindless minority who caused the trouble. Im not sure what the proper term for them is.

Apologies to all do-gooders that I may have offended

[Neil Young]

Sorry I probably used the wrong word.

The people I meant were the ones who regularly suggest that it was only a mindless minority who caused the trouble. Im not sure what the proper term for them is.

Apologies to all do-gooders that I may have offended

Possibly the word "apologist" might have been better?

I agree there is a very nasty hardcore of bigots and thugs among the England support and this is often played down by elements of the media and, more understandably perhaps, the FA.

I suppose it's arguable that what happened 13 years ago was a low point although I dare say there are shopkeepers all over Austria and Switzerland who are relieved England are having the summer off.

[Jack D Rips]

Possibly the word "apologist" might have been better?

I agree there is a very nasty hardcore of bigots and thugs among the England support and this is often played down by elements of the media and, more understandably perhaps, the FA.

I suppose it's arguable that what happened 13 years ago was a low point although I dare say there are shopkeepers all over Austria and Switzerland who are relieved England are having the summer off.

Yes thankfully such scenes are now mostly memories from a dark past.

[Nic83]

I can't believe that was 13 years ago.

Yeah shaggy, you've come a long way since then mate. No violence in you these days.