The Airport

The Rovers Line Up

[edit] Away

Rovers return to Europe saw them drawn against Turkish side Genclerbirligi, just a few weeks ahead of Englands game against Turkey in Istanbull. Memories of past incidents with Leeds and Arsenal were fresh in people minds and many Rovers fans felt uncomfortable travelling to Turkey (fans had been advised NOT to travel for the England game).

Mainly in an attempt to show that both countries were capable of rising above the pest events Glenn from brfcs.com and Baris from the leading Genclerbirligi online forum started to arrange a "fans friendly" between the two sides. It was initially envisaged that this be a simple kick about in a park, but Baris went all out to show us Turksih hospitality.

When the fans landed at Ankara airport, Baris was on the tarmac to meet the Rovers fans and everyone seemed to be waved through customs and secuity at lightening speed. Once on the public side of the airport, the fans were greeted by very attractive local girls wearing either national dress or Genclerbirligi football shirts giving out Turkish Delight. Once outside there were a hundred or so fans, many in national dress, the Turkish media and the mayor of Ankara, shirts were swopped, photos were taken and TV interviews were done. Nothing could be further from the "Welcome To Hell" reception English fans had recieved previously at Istanbull.

The day of the game, after Glenn had done a radio interview with five live (Paul had also done several interviews from the UK), the fans were picked up from their hotel on the outskirts of town and the clubs official team bus (again, arranged by Baris) to everyone to the Genclerbirligi training ground in central Ankara.

Whilst Rovers team had some talented amatuers it also had a few bad hangovers and when the team were informed that the Turkish side had two ex-Gerclerbirligi professionals in it that were expecting a very tough game. The crowd consisted of around 20 fans from each side, several dozen children from the ajoined school, three news crews (one British), several not-so-undercover police from both sides, a few club club official and the British Ambasador to Turkey.

The game was kicked off by the British Ambasador (who's office had proved very helpfull in setting the game up), with the Rovers team playing in new kits kindly provided by the club.

Glenn and Baris missed most of the game as the media organisations interviewed them, but footage from the game was shown both live on Turkish TV and on UK TV as part of the pre-match build up to the following days first team game.

Everyone expected the game to end there, but many of the fans wanted to spend more time with each other, so local nightclub DJ "Orcan" seemed to comendeer the team bus and after checking what the fans were intending doing next, took the fan to a pub. Perahps in a case on over-literal translation, they bar they chose was called "The Pub".

The afternoon was spent making lots of new friends, including a student with a Fez (which we were told was technically outlawed in Turkey) and a bunch of anti-Nazi skinheads ! The drinking carried on for many hours to come.

The following day, the Turkish fans once again meet up with their English counterparts, many of whom even watched the game from the away end with the Rovers Fans.

[edit] Home

The trophy

The Genc' Team with a few Rovers players

Much of the organization of the return game at Brockhall was done by Ste B, JPW, Paul, Den and the team was significantly different. Visa problems ment that Baris was unable to travel and it looked unlikely that any of the Turkish fans who'd attended would be able to travel because of the cost involved. However, the Turkish club agreed to give away the unused seats on the plane chartered for players and officials and several of the fans travelled and were put up and entertained by fans in Blackburn.

Rovers CEO John Williams attened the fans game and many people got a rare look at the Rovers training ground. A special trophy was presented on the pitch by Glenn to Orcan just before the first team game.