Poolies do not let hooligans spoil Euro 2016 fun

England football fans from Hartlepool are refusing to let the mindless violence of hooligans spoil their Euro 2016 trip.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2016, 14:33 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2016, 15:38 BST
Hartlepool England fans at Euro 2016. From left: Richard Boddy, Danny Sanderson, Andrew Sanderson and Ian HendryHartlepool England fans at Euro 2016. From left: Richard Boddy, Danny Sanderson, Andrew Sanderson and Ian Hendry
Hartlepool England fans at Euro 2016. From left: Richard Boddy, Danny Sanderson, Andrew Sanderson and Ian Hendry

Clashes between some England supporters, organised Russian thugs and French police have marred the opening days of the tournament.

But a group of Poolies out there to watch the Three Lions say the atmosphere has generally been good and are looking ahead to Thursday’s match against neighbours Wales.

England fans from left; Ian Hendry, Richard Boddy, Danny Sanderson and Andrew Sanderson in MarseilleEngland fans from left; Ian Hendry, Richard Boddy, Danny Sanderson and Andrew Sanderson in Marseille
England fans from left; Ian Hendry, Richard Boddy, Danny Sanderson and Andrew Sanderson in Marseille
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Pals Ian Hendry, Richard Boddy and brothers Danny and Andrew Sanderson, who are all from town, are travelling around France together for all three of England’s group games.

Ian, 47, a plumbing and heating engineer, said: “Generally, the atmosphere has been really good and on the whole the England fans have been well behaved.

“Everything we saw it was the Russians that caused it. We are travelling to Nice now and are having a couple of days away from it all.”

They sent us these pictures of themselves flying the flag for Hartlepool in France and relaxing by the beach and enjoying drinks in the sun.

A picture taken by the Hartlepool England fans inside the Stade Vélodrome during England's opening game against Russia.A picture taken by the Hartlepool England fans inside the Stade Vélodrome during England's opening game against Russia.
A picture taken by the Hartlepool England fans inside the Stade Vélodrome during England's opening game against Russia.
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On Thursday, the lads, who are all Hartlepool United supporters, travel to Paris before heading north to Lens to attend England’s clash with Wales on Thursday afternoon.

They are due to meet up with several more fans from Hartlepool.

And Ian is predicting an England win after being held to a late 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

“It is a big game and we have got to turn them over,” he said. “I fancy England to win 2-1.”

Wales are currently leading England in their group after beating Slovakia 2-1 at the weekend thanks to a late winner.

Thursday’s momentous game kicks off at 2pm.

Related topics:EnglandHartlepoolWales