[Archived] Feyenoord 0 Rovers 0

[boris bear]

I thought the organisation was pathetic. Where were the direct trains to the stadium? We were told to get off the train at Rotterdam Blaak which was desserted, we ended up on a train full of Feyeenoord fans, some of whom were quite scary.

The stewarding was rubbish and unreserved seating only works if the place is half empty. Luckily we got seats early, I would have been really annoyed if I couldn't see after spending good money to go there. Apparently the stewards sent people with middle section tickets to the upper section so no wonder it was over-crowded.

I have to say that the trains were excellent compared to the UK, we were straight onto the train as we came out of the match and back in Amsterdam in about an hour to catch a clean, reasonably priced bus back to the hotel.

We manged to vist the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, went for a boat trip round the canals and a walk round the red light district so overall a good trip.

However my letter of complaint about the organisation at the ground is already penned and will be winging its way to John Williams tomorrow.

[Jordan]

However my letter of complaint about the organisation at the ground is already penned and will be winging its way to John Williams tomorrow.

Its not John Williams' fault. I come to expect that sort of treatment when watching Rovers in Europe. I am not saying it is right however its not the first time and certainly wont be the last.

[stuwilky]

Its not John Williams' fault. I come to expect that sort of treatment when watching Rovers in Europe. I am not saying it is right however its not the first time and certainly wont be the last.

I dont think anyone (apart from Vinjay ) would suggest it was John Williams' fault.

boris - John Newsham was the Rovers official who dealt with the arrangements, he is your man to contact.

[Jordan]

I dont think anyone (apart from Vinjay ) would suggest it was John Williams' fault.

boris - John Newsham was the Rovers official who dealt with the arrangements, he is your man to contact.

Stu - How come you left your seats in the upper tier? Did you manage to get seats downstairs. Don't think I saw you after that.

[stuwilky]

Stu - How come you left your seats in the upper tier? Did you manage to get seats downstairs. Don't think I saw you after that.

becky needed to go to the loo, went out and that was when the "fun" and games started.

[Manchester Blue]

No he didn't unfortunately. I'm sure he'll tell the tale later anyway so I'll not steal his thunder. Poor fella. Watched it in a pub.

Real shame he didn't get in as we really thought he would, didn't seem much organisation at all so seemed quite likely.

[OJRovers]

I take it this was Thursday evening? Me and PKS went to Leider Plane for a few beers and one-or-two homosexual approaches (PKS being hit on [literally..] by a fellow Norwegian- worth the trip alone actually).

But by that time most of you lot were busy elsewhere it seems, and the few Brits we saw were watching that awful Ashes "sport"..

just sent you a PM....!

[Ricky]

A bloke who we hooked up with says he sat next to a pretty Scottish girl, who is a Rovers and Celtic season ticket holder from the London area, works in accounting-any recognise this description?

Grab your coat Jan, looks like you've pulled.

[1864roverite]

Its not John Williams' fault. I come to expect that sort of treatment when watching Rovers in Europe. I am not saying it is right however its not the first time and certainly wont be the last.

ditto

I echo Jordans views on this

it was unorganised and I dont think that they were prepared for such a wholesome bunch of Rovers supporters who on the face of it were well behaved, well received, drunk or stoned, and just there to support their team (and visit the museums and RLD).

I know the locals we talked to put our small club way and above anyone else who has visited Holland in the past few years.

[boris bear]

Its not John Williams' fault. I come to expect that sort of treatment when watching Rovers in Europe. I am not saying it is right however its not the first time and certainly wont be the last.

I know it's not John Williams' fault and I have said that in my letter, however it's wrong that we should be treated like that and people's complaints should be passed to the relevant authorities so that it doesn't happen to the next set of fans.

I've been to eight european away games and that was the most badly organised.

I dont think anyone (apart from Vinjay ) would suggest it was John Williams' fault.

boris - John Newsham was the Rovers official who dealt with the arrangements, he is your man to contact.

I always think you should go straight to the top!

[Fife Rover]

if you think there's anything wrong with complaining about the things he complained about then you're just as bad as the people he described. if you even come close to equating what you may call 'snobbery' with the hateful behaviour of that set of rovers fans then you're just as bad as them. and quite frankly, theyre ignorant vile individuals who deserve some form of painful terminal illness.

Absolutely right Tony; except that the highlighted bit is perhaps going a little too far. IMO what these kind of public transport yobs really require is somebody on the train or bus to stand up to them and tell them what's what. I do know it works as I have done it myself on many occasions. Unfortunately I am past doing this sort of thing and the sometimes necessary follow-up now. But take my word for it, it DOES work; you just have to go for it. I could tell you some tales of my adventures in this direction, but I wont bother. 'Twill only cause controversy and is best left in the past.

[OhmiBRFC]

at the oude haven

[OJRovers]

I agree with what's been said before about the organisation not being quite there.

The rovers fans were VERY patient 99.9% of the time despitew being guided around north Holland like sheep.

eg I got off the train at Rotterdam North (from A'dam) and we were on the platform for about 30mins until the police then decided that we were supposed to get coaches. We walked out of the station and weren't told where to go. Them we had to wait another 30 mins for the buses. Good laugh and sing on the bus though!!!!

[American]

As we got throught the turnstiles a full can of drink , a bottle and a firecracker flew past my head. As I was patted down by the security, I commented on the welcome.

"Just be glad you're not German, they f~~~~~~ hate the Germans!"

At the end of WWII, the Germans left Amsterdam on bicycles stolen from the locals, as the surrounding areas were flooded to prevent them taking their tanks and such. Apparently, to this day, when Holland plays Germany they sing "give us back our bicycles" or something to that effect.

On Friday, we went to the Art Gallery in Rotterdam, last day of the Magritte exhibition-recommended...

I would take you up on the recommendation, but as you say it was the last day, it'll be kind of difficult.

[OhmiBRFC]

The roads where dangerous in rotterdam, If it wasnt a car running you over it was either a bike, tram, scooter or car

[Ozz]

At the end of WWII, the Germans left Amsterdam on bicycles stolen from the locals, as the surrounding areas were flooded to prevent them taking their tanks and such. Apparently, to this day, when Holland plays Germany they sing "give us back our bicycles" or something to that effect.

I would take you up on the recommendation, but as you say it was the last day, it'll be kind of difficult.

It's been extended into December.

And the Dutch/German hatred is probably based on the massive blitzkreig of Rotterdam and other important key docks, and subsequent 2 day occupation process, witness Anne Franks nightmare!

[herbergeehh]

Huh, I'm looking through the videoes to see if I can spot someone familiar, when this one pops up. I was sitting right behind the bloke singing in the end. What are the odds..

[modes98]

I was sitting right behind the bloke singing in the end. What are the odds..

2,500 to 1?

[MCMC1875]

[Glenn]

I've been back about 3hrs now and I'm still furious about leaving Amsterdam at 6:15pm and still missing the first 17 minutes of the game.

[herbergeehh]

I'll take that bet, Modes

Seems like we were luckier than most here, after following the advice of our Dutch friends. Most of you lot stayed on to the stadium (right?), we left the train the stop before. A miles walk appr. to the stadium, and ending up on Feyenoord's side of the wall of policemen - luckily no colours showing though. But at least we went straight in to the stadium and got good seats.. left Centraal Station Amsterdam at 6!

[Jan]

We got a tram to the ground with the Feyenoord fans. Luckily my friend and I don't really look like football fans so were quite safe.

At the ground we got to the line of riot police and said "excuse me, how do we get into the ground". The lady policeperson took us in- we had our own personal escort!

Got the tram back afterwards as well.

1864- just checked and the photo caught the wrong person. I had to take it surrepticiously and it caught the girl to the right of him (who wasn't singing anything) rather than him. I'm sure I'll see him again though, and I'll be ready!

Ricky- he seemed a very nice man too. Just not quite my type. But isn't it a small world!

[only2garners]

I've been back about 3hrs now and I'm still furious about leaving Amsterdam at 6:15pm and still missing the first 17 minutes of the game.

So you should be Glenn. You needed the conductor we had on our train. We left on the 7.10 from Amsterdam, which went the long way via Haarlem and wasn't scheduled to stop at the stadium. The conductor arranged a special stop for us (about 200) so we were in the ground just before the teams came out. Admittedly we were standing in a crush in the aisle on the lower tier for the first half, but we appear to have been very lucky.

[bigfilbar8]

I've been back about 3hrs now and I'm still furious about leaving Amsterdam at 6:15pm and still missing the first 17 minutes of the game.

We just made kick off - we were on the first train you and Gill got off. We had to get off at Rotterdam centre and get a taxi.

[SAS]

i set off around 4ish, got in ground like 2 hours early