Forum

xml	No replies possible in the archive

Author: WiSK
Date: 25-01-2002, 14:03

Liverpool and Galatasaray in the same CL group: there is a lot of respect between the fans. I have heard there is an initiative between two fanzines to promote goodwill. I don't expect any trouble at the matches.

England and Turkey in the same Euro2004 qualifying group: this makes me very worried. I don't mean to insult any English people, but there is no denying that there is a small element of racists who follow the national team. Perhaps that small group don't even care for football itself, just for fighting.

Any opinions?

Author: ahmet
Date: 25-01-2002, 22:02

Liverpool-Galatasaray
I don't think there will be any problem at all. Not in Istanbul for sure. Whem I was young and Liverpool was the best of all, it was the most respected team among Galatasaray fans plus we love Graeme Souness.

England-Turkey
It is actually England against the good old Galatasaray. If played in London I don't expect any problems. More civilized, more cosmopolitan. Plus English could not afford any other incident. I think they will be forced to play in London. When it comes to Turkey, we have some bastards over here as well but negligible in numbers. They don't have the culture of gathering in hundreds and going from bar to bar. If you remember the events in Copenhagen before the UEFA cup final 2 years ago, the fighting Turks were Turkish people living in Germany, Holland and Denmark who are familiar with Western European type football activites out of the pitch. The Turks who went to Copenhagen from Turkey were shocked since they have never seen something lik this before. Most probably security measures will be extremely tight and listed english hooligans will not be allowed to enter the country. Police will be brutal in case of any negative development in these few days.

Locally, we sometimes have problems between Galatasaray and fenerbahce fans but it is usually in the form of barking rather than biting.

Lets enjoy the game.

Re: Trouble at matches
Author: porker Date: 29-01-2002, 17:46	It disappoints me when I read comments like Wisks pointing the blame at English fans (although he did mention that it is only a small minority). Ahmet is honest enough to make the point that Turkish fans are involved as well. As the saying goes it takes 2 to tango. Lets hope there's no trouble and everyone can enjoy what they go to the stadiums for...to watch football.

Author: ahmet
Date: 30-01-2002, 12:16

Don't worry, nothing will happen. Fan sites of both clubs are working together. They will host each other. They have already produced a comman logo for this match as a memorial. I have copied a few lines below from KOP forum. The topic has already 162 replies and 4899 views. Interesting reading, if you want more please click:

http://www.redandwhitekop.co.uk/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.pl?board=LiverpoolFC;action=display;num=1005064605;start=0

Great initiative.

REGARDING POSSIBLE LEEDS FANS INTERFERENCE

"I wouldn't worry about the Leeds fan situation. Police here have got very good at identifying these risks and working to prevent any problems. Let's leave the policing to the police ...

... our endeavour is to ensure that your fans and our fans have a good time in each other's cities, and that regardless of the result there is cameraderie, and an increased understanding of the clubs and the supporters. We have had many good times recently with visiting supporters who, despite being beaten on the pitch by Liverpool, have shared a drink and a song with us in the city, and have left understanding why The Kop is known throughout the world."

FROM A REPLY TO A MORON
I think your last comment about "the Turks" is moronically racist (and therefore has no place on this forum so I fucked it off) and it undermines the more intelligent assessment you made before it. That kind of ignorance is pathetic - and very ill-informed. If you take THAT attitude to Turkey, you may well have a hard time.

The early feedback exchanges I've had on the net with Galatasaray fans has been very positive. Given that Liverpool FC is held in high regard in Turkey, and given an intelligent approach to travel there, the risks seem no greater than they do in going to Roma, and possibly lower. There is a great chance to establish good rapport with the Galatasaray fans at the home leg which preceeds the away, and there are already some discussions on a few fan-activities to achieve this. A simple truth : go anywhere in the world and get ludicrously pissed, become offensive, have a racist attitude and show no respect for people and their customs and you run a good chance of falling foul of the law, whether uniformed or common law. Go with some respect, a bit of nouse, and a genuine humanity and you've a much better chance of having fun. But it takes all sorts ... There are some of our lot who I've seen abroad at matches before with whom I would not want to find myself in Turkey, Rome, or even my local."

FROM A READER...

" Just wanted to say that although I can do very little to help I'm very excited and impressed by what I'm reading and would love to do whatever I can.
Whether it's writing a piece or just plugging the action on the 'shrine."

Just read this thread with great interest.
Great work, Bob !!!!.. nice one mate. You never cease to amaze me.. respect.

This club is famous for its friendliness.. the award after last season's UEFA final just reflects the great atmosphere that we all shared with the Alaves fans, what a great final that was. Lets continue this with Galatasary. Like Bob said, its all a matter of attitude.

ANOTHER ONE

"To the Galatasary Fans.. I hope you find as great a welcome at Liverpool as we will when we come to Istanbul. The Champions League is about great Football clubs meeting each other. Respect is due to all for achieving qualification to this great competition, our mutual respect will hopefully be there for all to see. Enjoy Anfield.. it is very special to us, as of course your famous stadium is special to you. May this be a start to a great friendship between our clubs."

AND ANOTHER ONE

" This all great to see, from my time in Istanbul I discovered how popular Liverpool FC are over there, and the contacts made thus far only go to prove that. I can just imagine how excited the Gala fans are at the prospect of seeing their favourite two teams play each other.

The Turkish are very hospitable and those of you that continue to make connections to Gala fans, and make the trip, can expect one of the best experiences you'll ever have - football match aside.

One suggestion for Bob or anyone out there making contact, suggestions to Gala fans about where they can go and what they can do in what will be the first trip they have ever made to Liverpool. The turkish men (and women) love blondes so directions to places with high numbers of blonde totty are advised (Stevie G's bedroom?). Or perhaps the city should have a 'wear a blonde wig' day instead.

For great ideas, I'm full of it!"

ABOUT THE LOGO

"Hi Bob,
the logo choice should be B because the other logo is not even our logo ant more, it used to be our original logo in very early 1900's and it is written with the old Turkish characters.

great looking logo by the way great job"

FROM THE LONDON REPRESENTATIVE OF GALA FAN SITE

" I have been reading this topic and keeping in touch with Bob for long time but never had chance to write a message in here. I beleive you LFC supporters and we UltrAslan together will achive something never done on this level before.
I hope to join you in an LFC match in Anfield soon."

Author: WiSK
Date: 01-02-2002, 12:45

Porker, of course I don't mean to blame English football fans, I just tried to say that there are a small group who ruins it for everyone else. That is what I am worried about.

Ahmet, yes that is the initiative I was talking about. It seems Liverpool and Galatasaray fans are going to make a fanzine in both England and Turkish and distribute it for free at both matches! Wow, now that would be cool if it happens.

Re: Trouble at matches
Author: WiSK Date: 08-03-2002, 01:38	I was looking in the news for a follow up on what I posted, and came across the following article A big thank-you to the Turkish people

Author: ahmet
Date: 08-03-2002, 12:17

I've read the article, exactly as expected. On the other hand, I travel everywhere with Galatasaray and never experienced any problem to date. I was not in Copenhagen two years ago for the UEFA final against Arsenal.

I normally travel with 2 friends without attachment to any organized tour or group. We go in in the morning and take the first plane available back home. Sometimes we don't even spend the night there. On that basis we normally don't feel the any pressure. However,two years ago we had to join a tour to visit Bologna since we decided to go at the very last moment. Therefore, the plane was full of Galatasaray supporters. The moment we landed Bologna we were surrounded by Carabinieri and forced to wait in Coaches. It was the morning of the matchday, as we realized that their intention was to keep us out of the city during the day, it took us an hour to convince them that all we wanted to do was to wine and dine all day. Eventually they agreed after noticing that the group was made up of relatively elder businessman-like people. Typical Galatasaray supporters flying from Turkey. However, we had to promise to meet the Carabinieri in the city center at a certain time to be taken to the stadium in the coaches. This was my first and last experience as a regular fan. On that day, I realized that travelling as a part of a supporter group is a completely different animal and the group psychology could affect the members of the group. Never again.

Wednesday morning I am flying to Rome. We will at least draw. 5 draws in row would be very interesting but it is a tough group. The lkast matchday will probably be very interesting.