Voll Blau

Not sure the investigating force reporting that the defendants "had no choice but to plead guilty" sits terribly comfortably with me. Calling it a "hate crime" would also seem to trivialise the suffering of the genuine victims of such crimes too. Poor from The Met (shock).

Huge if true. Where did you see this?

"Islamists are running Britain", says the bunch who have been running the show for 14 years.

Deep looks some player. Mind you, no umpire in the world and 99% of fielding captains aren't going in for that Pope decision.

You get anti-social behaviour from football fans on the railways over there too (pyro out the window, vandalism, attacks on trains carrying rival fans etc). In fact, I'd argue German troublemakers have a much higher ceiling for chaos, both in public places and stadia, than their English counterparts. The difference is that the authorities understand the twin benefits of being able to transport hundreds of normal fans effectively and also keeping any herberts off of regular service trains. The idea that you *might*, on the odd occasion, have to deal with an incident like those outlined above is priced in. On balance, it's still well worth doing from their point of view. The odd Football Special does still run here (London clubs from midweek at our place , for example) so a return to their routine use really isnt that far-fetched if British fans keep on making the case for their return (see also safe standing areas).

Another point about Germany is that Football Specials are very much still a thing, often chartered by the fans themselves. They're great and come complete with a disco/bar carriage!

I'm 100% agreeing with the point you make there. Sad but true.

Depends on the area. In certain regions you have access to regional trains and other public transport for free on matchdays, but the ticket doesn't cover high speed trains. Mind you, I did manage to jib on an ICE with a match ticket to get to Bochum last year when my train from Cologne was severely delayed. Depends on whether the inspector's an arse or not (much like here I guess).

Yep. Hard to see how this could lead to any meaningful change, maybe apart from some of the offers mentioned being brought in. Just bring back Football Specials and make tickets cheaper. It's not rocket science.

I'd love that to be true but there's absolutely no chance of that.

Yeah, only been going in very occasionally since November. Seems a lottery as to what kind of crowd are in there on any given evening. Gaffer seems a nice bloke, hope it works out.

Yeah, had a bit if a revamp in January. Haven't been in since, so encouraged if they're mixing up their selection a bit. Wanted to make it there when I was over there. Saw their stuff in the supermarkets along the south coast. Felt Banks tasted nicer last year than it did previously too.

Oh look, organised fan power winning again while England has divs like Wor Flags sucking up to the horrific regime that owns their club.

Must be new on there then?

Cool little music pub called Sincopa in the Barri Gotic. That area's also worth a walking tour. Decent locals brown pubs I found in Amsterdam: In t'Apjen (red light district) Cafe van Beeren (right off the main drag heading out of Centraal) Cafe Mulder and Le Patron (near the Heineken brewery) Apjen the busiest, the others great for people watching with friendly staff.

Where are they from?

Keep making this point but that used to be part of the fun, having the Moan-In or Sports Report on. Taking in whatever happened in other games while crawling down The Saff. Think the "I pay my money, I'll do what I like" crew need to start admitting to themselves that "I waste my money" and spend their Saturdays some other way.

I quite agree.

Cheers for the tip.

Fixed. We have four-figures minimum standing at most grounds in England - including ours - but no will to organise effectively, unlike elsewhere.

Must be so jading posting a score like that and then feeling pressure within 5 overs in the field. Feel you just have to fight fire with fire and go hard for wickets all the time. Fire your bowlers up by showing you back them, even if England are smashing it to all parts.

Sometimes I envy the likes on here who discuss various aspects of their experience supporting Leicester City on a forum specifically designed for that purpose. It's not that deep guys, chill.

That shot from Patidar was so fvcking village.

Even got belted out at Trent Bridge during Leicestershire's Cup final in September. Imagine it's the first time an Argentine footballer's name has ever been chanted at a cricket match. Leicester Boys Are We mentions the league win. You're right though, we should sing way more about it.

All the best to her and your son!