England v France

[marko69]

To all Tractor Boys, and indeed other English supporters going to Wembley tonight; have a great night. Stay safe and welcome the French with open arms. It'll no doubt be an emotional night......., a night where no one really cares about the result.

'MON THE FRENCH!























No, no. Didn't mean that. Let's have an entertaining score draw.

[Charnwood]

Given the events that took place in Paris over the weekend I'm amazed that both the English and French FA's have agreed that this game should be played. Whilst I understand people not wanting to give into terrorism it seems bizarre that Belgium have cancelled tonight's fixture with Spain because of security fears whilst we don't consider this necessary.

The Belgium FA have stated, "....taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we cannot take any security risk to our players and fans,".... surely the same applies to all those planning to be at Wembley tonight.?

I just hope and pray the match is played without incident.

[Shed on tour]

As usual will be there tonight with the family
Over the years have been to Wembley many times for various events. However, no doubt tonight is going to be so different to anything else that I have experienced there in terms of atmosphere and emotion after the events in Paris last Friday.

[derick_ipsw]

Given the events that took place in Paris over the weekend I'm amazed that both the English and French FA's have agreed that this game should be played. Whilst I understand people not wanting to give into terrorism it seems bizarre that Belgium have cancelled tonight's fixture with Spain because of security fears whilst we don't consider this necessary.

The Belgium FA have stated, "....taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we cannot take any security risk to our players and fans,".... surely the same applies to all those planning to be at Wembley tonight.?

I just hope and pray the match is played without incident.

Completely agree.

[herforder]

Given the events that took place in Paris over the weekend I'm amazed that both the English and French FA's have agreed that this game should be played. Whilst I understand people not wanting to give into terrorism it seems bizarre that Belgium have cancelled tonight's fixture with Spain because of security fears whilst we don't consider this necessary.

The Belgium FA have stated, "....taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we cannot take any security risk to our players and fans,".... surely the same applies to all those planning to be at Wembley tonight.?

I just hope and pray the match is played without incident.

Of course it comes down to balancing the risks - which, under any scenario, can never be entirely negated. Apart from the key issue of not giving in to terrorism, there are significant differences between the Belgian situation and tonight at Wembley. The symbolism of an England v France encounter following so soon after Friday's events, will resonate world-wide and act as a powerful unifying force against evil. The two nations, the players and supporters want the match to be played, both to demonstrate collective strength and determination, and as an act of honour and respect to those who died.

So far as the security implications are concerned, I'm afraid that Belgian's are probably amongst the least professional and effective in Europe, and their decision is correct. I have far more confidence in our intelligence, special forces and counter-terrorism community to minimise any threat. Believe me, they will have been working flat-out to achieve that, and if there was any doubts amongst them, then the game would not be happening.

We all pray for an incident free night, where all those attending return safely home having taken part in a poignant and memorable occasion. And where a football match sends out a simple message: that ordinary people refuse to give in or be intimdated. No matter how long it takes, ISIS terrorists will ultimately be defeated.

[marko69]

A very uplifting post at the end there, Herforder, worded absolutely perfectly. Thanks for that.

Shed, stay safe, and let us all have a report of the extremely poignant occasion tomorrow.

[herforder]

On a slightly lighter, though not disrespectful note, when the French National Anthem strikes up tonight, those of a certain vintage might be tempted to burst into the 60's Beatle's anthem: "Love, love, love - All You Need Is Love"! (Given the circumstances, perhaps not too wide of the mark!

[lucy]

The game between Germany and Netherlands is off. The stadium evacuated after suitcase found. I hope the game in London is completed ok with no trouble.

[J4ck22]

The game between Germany and Netherlands is off. The stadium evacuated after suitcase found. I hope the game in London is completed ok with no trouble.

Reports saying that a truck disguised as an ambulance containing explosives had been found. Far too scary if true.

[lucy]

The game between Germany and Netherlands is off. The stadium evacuated after suitcase found. I hope the game in London is completed ok with no trouble.

Reports saying that a truck disguised as an ambulance containing explosives had been found. Far too scary if true.

That's worrying news. Why do people think they can do this to innocent people. It makes me angry it really does.

[Charnwood]

The game between Germany and Netherlands is off. The stadium evacuated after suitcase found. I hope the game in London is completed ok with no trouble.

Reports saying that a truck disguised as an ambulance containing explosives had been found. Far too scary if true.

I don't think this has been confirmed J4ck, but all the same these are very worrying times.

[Charnwood]

Nice to see England playing so well this evening.

[J4ck22]

The game between Germany and Netherlands is off. The stadium evacuated after suitcase found. I hope the game in London is completed ok with no trouble.

Reports saying that a truck disguised as an ambulance containing explosives had been found. Far too scary if true.

I don't think this has been confirmed J4ck, but all the same these are very worrying times.

It hasn't been confirmed, they seem to be quite tight lipped about what's actually going on so it could well be untrue. Definitely something pretty big was planned though so thank god they found out and dealt with the situation very well.

[lucy]

Music hall in Germany has been evacuated and a Train station.

[The Don]

A lot of these suspected incidents will be due to people being extra vigilant. It's human nature to become more aware of your surroundings once a massive incident has occurred.

In my opinion, nothing will happen in the short term. Governments, agencies, security services and general public are too switched on. Probably the most they have been since the 7/7 bombings. Even at work this evening, you could see how people were around the city.

The Wembley game should always have gone ahead. We must not allow these events, however traumatic and fear inducing they are, to affect our way of life.

[Shed on tour]

The solidarity shown at Wembley last night was truly amazing.

Even before the match outside the ground you could feel it. If people were nervous they certainly weren't showing it and were determined to carry on as normal as possible. The minute silence was observed impeccably, you always wonder if some idiot will spoil it but thankfully nobody did.

Football often gets a negative press which sometimes is justified but last night showed the other side of the game and how it can unite people. Our freedom is often something we take for granted but as the attacks in Paris and other places in the world have shown we shouldn't.

[Dazzz67]

Your not going to stop all the attacks, it just means we should all be vigilant, all the time. Goes back to the IRA days but those loonies did not want to die in the process. We are fighting against a bunch of nutters who 'think' they will go somewhere better when they die, and quite happy to die and kill anyone in the process, you cannot stop all of them.

Just be aware and report anything suspicious, Christmas is coming and we are going to get a bad present if we do not watch each others backs.

Unity is the key, let's show these stards we aint scared, being scared and stopping what we all do is what they want, carry on like normal and enjoy life is one way of getting back at them.

Stay safe all.

[marko69]

being scared and stopping what we all do on a day to day basis is one way of getting back at them.

Have you typed that part wrong, Dazzza?

[Dazzz67]

Erm Marko, spot on, I clustered and got that completely wrong, cheers mate!

[arana peligrosa]

In Picadilly Circus in the center of London and its just any other day here. As many people as you would expect and feel safe enough. One or two armed police around but everyone going about their usual business.

Biggest concern was trying to purchase a carton of cigarettes in the center of London, not that goddamn straigh forward as you may expect. Lillywhites sports store is 1 minute away so going in to see whats available, its one of the largest sports retailers in London.

[marko69]

Cigarettes and Sports shops? There is a very strange song in there somewhere.

"Is it myyyyy imaginaaaaaation, or have I finally found something worth putting on........
"I was loooooooking for some laaamb cheeeooops, but all I found were cigarettes and sports shops!"

[arana peligrosa]

Cigarettes and Sports shops? There is a very strange song in there somewhere.

"Is it myyyyy imaginaaaaaation, or have I finally found something worth putting on........
"I was loooooooking for some laaamb cheeeooops, but all I found were cigarettes and sports shops!"

Lillywhites was just as we remembered it and there's a large array of soccer replicas on the second floor but no Ipswich merchandise of any kind to be found. Prices are generally for the affluent but there were reduced items to be had.

Had to get from Pimlico and tried the tube but ten pounds to Piccadilly was given short shrift so decided in the end to walk it. Took in Saint James' Park and Buckingham Palace on route. The Queen was in by all accounts, the Union Jack was up.