England game behind closed doors?

JohnG · 09-06-2009, 9:21 AM

They are saying on Talk Sport that the England game on wednesday might be behind closed doors due to the tube strike. Pathetic decision if they do go ahead with this, what about all those people with tickets and have made arrangements etc?

DJT75 · 09-06-2009, 10:04 AM

Nah, it'll never happen. What about the ten of thousands that can get there by car or rail?

JohnG · 09-06-2009, 10:07 AM

that was my thought, but the FA are going to make an announcement later today according to the radio!

**Stuart** · 09-06-2009, 2:25 PM

Just had an email:

Quote:

A MESSAGE TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS:

The FA can confirm that England's World Cup qualifier™ against Andorra will
kick-off at 8.15pm on Wednesday night as planned.
England

Chief Executive Ian Watmore said: "Ever since we were alerted to the planned industrial action, we have been working very hard to ensure that the match goes ahead and that as many supporters as possible can see the game. We can confirm that the game will not be played behind closed doors and every ticket purchased remains valid. The turnstiles will now open earlier at 5.45pm to ease the disruption.

"However, due to the planned industrial action, travelling to and from the game is going to be very difficult and we are disappointed that England supporters are being inconvenienced in this way.

"We recommend that supporters plan to travel to Wembley as early as possible and prepare for a disrupted journey. We are advised that no additional transport will be available on the evening. The journey home will be particularly difficult and supporters should make their own arrangements and not rely on public transport.

"As a special measure, refunds will be made available to ticketholders who decide not to attend this game because of the tube strike."

Details of the procedure for applying for refunds will be posted on TheFA.com in the days following the game. Please continue to visit TheFA.com and Transport for London?s tfl.gov.uk website for regular updates.

I'm really frustrated with this strike as I have fantastic tickets, front row by the corner flag, but getting there will be a nightmare so I'll probably miss it.

At least the FA have been generous enough to offer refunds

hot-fuzz · 10-06-2009, 6:52 AM

****ing tube drivers.
Im sure they have good reason to strike, but not on a day like this. Bloody idiots.
Anyhoo, there are overground trains arent there?
Which menas you can get pretty close to Wembley, if not at the nearest station. Im going in on a motorbike (as im sure alot of people will).
If you want to get there you can and as i read somewhere elsea, Man Utd get 64,000 every week and the stadium has 1 station and single carriageway roads up to the ground.

It can be done, you just have to want to get there. Dont let the ***** stop you from enjoying what will be a great match (i hope)

**johnscarlet** · 10-06-2009, 9:14 AM

But there is so much parking available around OT its almnost rediculous

thelegendofyrag · 10-06-2009, 7:32 PM

It just shows when something else goes tits up in this country so does everything else. London in particular.

DrWise · 10-06-2009, 8:05 PM

3-0 lads are doing well
well rooney in particular

Beany31 · 10-06-2009, 8:13 PM

National Express is the best way to get there, not necessarily back though

it takes ages lol. I've been to watch England 5 times at the new Wembley and have taken the National Express each time.

I took the tube when I watched Ebbsfleet vs Torquay last year and to be honest I'd take The National Express because it's much less hassle.

loz · 10-06-2009, 8:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaced_K

Anyhoo, there are overground trains arent there?

Yes there are.

However, the operators have suspended the service as they are worried about overcrowding due to the tube strike

DrWise · 10-06-2009, 9:13 PM

7 wins in a row good stuff

IAN P · 10-06-2009, 9:22 PM

Most pointless substitute decision ever, getting hammered 6 nil and with 2 minutes to go they change the keeper.

Nope, I don't know either.

Answers on a postcard to, who cares.

Can't be Beckham's last game can it?

**Greg** · 10-06-2009, 9:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAN P

Most pointless substitute decision ever, getting hammered 6 nil and with 2 minutes to go they change the keeper.

Nope, I don't know either.

Answers on a postcard to, who cares.

Were you not paying attention?

It was the goalkeeper's last ever game for Andorra, so clearly the manager wanted to give him a send off. Which you could tell as the crowd gave him a good round of applause aswell.

The commentators did mention this several times.

IAN P · 10-06-2009, 9:30 PM

I know, I know, but 2 minutes, jeez, at least give the other guy a chance of leaking a few goals.

bekko · 10-06-2009, 9:47 PM

Now they have won a game 6-0 against a crap team England will be branded a top team until they loose against a half decent team like Italy or something.

Dony · 10-06-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Were you not paying attention?

It was the goalkeeper's last ever game for Andorra, so clearly the manager wanted to give him a send off. Which you could tell as the crowd gave him a good round of applause aswell.

The commentators did mention this several times.

I wouldn't give the fans that much credit....I think they were applauding the fact that he had let in 6 goals.

Didn't you hear them booing when the other guy playing his last game when he came off at the start of the second half?

hot-fuzz · 11-06-2009, 7:40 AM

Yep had no idea that was his last game.
I applauded him because he didnt drop his gloves walking to the dugout.

AgentCool · 11-06-2009, 9:24 AM

After watching that match last night, I think it's definitely about time the poorer UEFA teams had to compete in a preliminary competition amongst themselves to earn the right to a place in the proper qualification groups. The theory that they'll get better by playing big teams clearly isn't true. If anything, Andorra and San Marino are worse than ever. From my count, there are only 11 teams ranked below 100 in the UEFA confederation. If, through a simple home-and-away leg knockout system, they whittled this down to 2 or 3, it would make a lot more sense and, who knows, these teams might be more competitive and exciting to watch when playing sides of a similar ability.

Bursar · 11-06-2009, 9:50 AM

Did I blink and miss something during the game last night? I'm not sure why the crowd were booing Beckham towards the end. The quality of his crosses seemed to tail off, but I wouldn't have branded that as a booing offence.

JohnG · 11-06-2009, 9:53 AM

I think they were shouting "shoot" weren't they ?

Bursar · 11-06-2009, 9:56 AM

Oh, maybe. It just sounded like booing everytime he touched the ball.

hot-fuzz · 11-06-2009, 10:33 AM

It was SHOOOOT. Kept us amused anyway.

mrmcdean · 11-06-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dony

Didn't you hear them booing when the other guy playing his last game when he came off at the start of the second half?

I presumed that was because he had been kicking the begeesus out of Crouch for most of the game.

alasone · 11-06-2009, 4:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnG

I think they were shouting "shoot" weren't they ?

I thought they were booing too?? I coulda sworn it. Some fans started whistling it out in defence when it became more apparant?
Oh well, shoot was what I was shouting so it kinda makes sense.

I've been checking around for ages seeing why the crowd were booing. Or so I thought.

Should've been a record breaking night though.

I go with Greavesy. They were the worse team I've ever seen as well.