Told by Jason Marriner
In his own words · @marrinerj8
So 1988, I went to the European Championships. I went to Stuttgart first, England played the Republic of Ireland, where we got beat. Then we went to Düsseldorf, where everyone was talking about both of them games for different reasons.
It was absolutely colossal.
It was the height of the culture and the scene. Our first two games were the Republic of Ireland in Stuttgart and Holland in Düsseldorf. I mean, you couldn't have picked two clubs for that era anyway.
But don't forget, we're in Germany. They've only got to come through the border, you know what I mean? So we was at the Swordfish bar at Düsseldorf train station, waiting for them to come in. When I tell you there was a thousand, a thousand-strong English mob, anyone and everyone, I'm telling you, it's the best English mob I've probably ever seen. It was absolutely colossal.
Chelsea was a poxy football team, so we was never travelling abroad to watch Chelsea. That's why we took so many away to watch England. We always used to have good numbers there.
The train pulled in. We had one mob go round one way, one go round the other. Anyway, we just got up, half went one way, half went the other, and we caught them in the middle. Honestly, mate, you can imagine. 1988.
Our organisation, you know, we was ten years in front of them. We also caught them by surprise. I think they thought they was going to have an easier day. Let me tell you, we made it a very tough gig for them, one that they won't forget, I can assure you. I think they give us extreme respect after that day.
And when I tell you, these weren't Stone Island wearers. This was the firm from all clubs, up and down the country. If you was there, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Jason