If you believe the stereotype, England soccer fans are drunken hellions with a rabid thirst for violence. As the FA face charges after alleged incidents in Croatia earlier this month, one passionate fan from Brighton has been compelled to give a first hand account of events that day.
As she strolled through Zagreb, Lisa Kerridge remembers the atmosphere between the two sets of fans being upbeat and jovial, with each exchanging songs and mingling without incident. The ugly scenes that followed, she says, were sparked by inexplicably poor organization on the part of local Police.
"As we approached the ground, there were only one or two very small gates to go through and they were frequently being shut," she says. "Naturally, fans became more frustrated as the crowds grew. The nearer it got to kick off, the more agitated we all became."
As panic took hold, England fans were met by baton-wielding police and resultant clashes reportedly left several supporters with head injuries. According to FA spokesman Adrian Bevington, lax security at the perimeter of the stadium led to many fans without tickets passing through the turnstiles.
"Not once did I have to get my ticket out, I still have it in one piece at home," says Lisa. "It was further evidence that they were simply not equipped to deal the large number of us safely and instead put us in a truly frightening situation."
UEFA has bought charges against the Croatian FA for their alleged mismanagement of the stadium entry process, but the English FA have been charged in relation to the subsequent misconduct of their supporters. Lisa believes the charge is wholly unjustified.
"The problems were caused by the inept way we were handled," she says. "It's a sad fact that you get used to being treated like this so it becomes part and parcel of being an England fan abroad."
Lisa advocates a more relaxed and non-confrontational approach to policing, one that has proved the most successful during her time following England.
"We have a reputation and obviously policing is different wherever you go. The police in Slovakia treated us very badly, but Dutch police have a totally different attitude of calm and friendliness which seems to work."
Of England's hooligan element, Lisa says reports are grossly exaggerated. Those who do engage, she believes, are motivated by over-zealous national pride, partly due to a generational inheritance of this country's war mentality.
"There are still pockets of England fans where the hooligan element remains. It is very difficult to explain, but I think us English have a mentality that we cannot be defeated and therefore we feel very superior especially when we are all together, singing and shouting for the same cause."
Despite their reputation for testosterone-fueled antics, Lisa has found England fans ready to embrace her at every turn.
"I'm treated with respect because I understand football," she says. "I think as long as you like and understand the game as a female fan, then you'll be taken seriously. I always feel safe at games, because I know I'll be looked after."
Lisa Kerridge has followed England all over the world. Juggling her career as an employment consultant in central Brighton with exhausting midweek trips to faraway football venues might not be everybody's idea of fun, but Lisa can't imagine life without England.
"Some people don't understand it, "she says, "but my husband and I had our honeymoon at the World Cup. We both love following England and it was the dream trip. There's a camaraderie that you can't beat. As long as I'm able to, I'll be a traveling England fan. Perhaps one day, the team will actually win something!"
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