Ewood Beat

Fans map out road to peace

IF England's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier with Turkey passes without incident in Istanbul next month then Blackburn Rovers fans can give themselves a huge pat on the back.

That's because no-one has done more to heal the rift between the two nations in the build up to the game than Rovers and their impeccably behaved followers.

Major security concerns were raised in certain quarters when last month's UEFA Cup draw paired Blackburn with Ankara-based outfit Genclerbirligi.

Given the explosive history between the two countries, it was almost inevitable that people would become twitchy about the potential for trouble, especially with the first round tie being played so close to next month's Group 7 decider.

But nothing could have been further from the truth this week as fans from both clubs embraced each other in a public show of peace and unity.

Genclerbirligi officials extended a warm hand of friendship and the gesture was reciprocated with equal sincerity by their visitors from Blackburn as two different cultures came together in perfect harmony, joined by a mutual love of the beautiful game.

Nowhere was that more evident than at Ankara airport itself.

In the past, English football fans have been welcomed into Istanbul by banners proudly proclaiming 'Welcome to Hell.'

However, in Ankara it was an altogether different scene.

A troup of Turkish belly dancers formed the official welcoming party and instead of rocks and stones, Rovers' 300 or so travelling fans were showered with gifts of flowers and Turkish delight.

But the real pinnacle of the roadmap to peace was a friendly 7-a-side game which took place between the two sets of rival fans.

Genclerbirligi officials provided a venue, about a 30 minute walk from their 19 Mayis Stadium.

The Turks triumped 4-2, thus carrying a crucial two-goal advantage into the second leg just like their senior counterparts.

But, to coin a corny cliche, football was the true winner.

"The whole trip has been a great experience," said Paul Brooking, one of the men responsible for organising the game.

"The fans' match created a tremendous amount of interest in Turkey and I hope this shows the Turkish people that the vast majority of English football fans are decent, ordinary people.

"Genclerbirligi went out of their way to make the Rovers fans feel welcome.

"At the airport, they were greeted by a group of dancers dressed in all the traditional gear and the two sets of supporters got on very well together.

"I just hope those English fans who make the trip to Istanbul next month get a similar reception. We certainly could have done much more to help than we did."

Brooking and several other supporters from the BRFC.com fans website are now in talks with Rovers about setting up a return fixture with their Genclerbirligi counterparts.

Foggy's dog's life

SUPERBIKE legend Carl Fogarty recently bought his wife, Michaela, a new pet and he was all set to name it after his favourite Rovers player until he upped sticks and moved clubs in the summer.

"There was only one condition on Michaela having a new Jack Russell puppy - and that was that I got to name him," explained Foggy, in his column 'Two Wheels Only.'

"So, on his first night in the house, I handed everyone a rolled-up piece of paper with the chosen name on it, took the dog over to the sink, dripped some water on its head and announced: "I baptize you - right, you can open your papers now - Keano!"

"I'm not sure having a dog named after the Manchester United footballer Roy Keane was what Michaela would have chosen, but there's no going back now. (I would probably have called it Dunny - after the Blackburn Rovers player David Dunn, if he hadn't been sold to Birmingham!)"

Amoruso ready for Rangers reunion

FULHAM left-back Jerome Bonnissel is looking forward to meeting up with a couple of old pals when the Cottagers travel to face Blackburn tomorrow.

While his new team-mates focus on gaining revenge for last season's 4-0 loss to Rovers at Loftus Road, Bonnissel is keen to see how two former Rangers colleagues are settling in at Ewood Park.

The Frenchman said: "I don't know very much about Blackburn, other than that my friend Lorenzo Amoruso will be playing for them of course.

"We played together at Rangers and we were good friends, and also Barry Ferguson who has moved there as well. He is a very good player, and I think that Graeme Souness did very well to take him there - he will be a big threat for them.

Police provide a Turkish taxi

SO much for the Turks being hostile towards English football fans.

In Ankara this week, the locals couldn't have been more hospitable hosts when Rovers rolled into town for their UEFA Cup clash with Genclerbirligi.

One group of Rovers fans left the hotel in search of a late drink on Tuesday night only to discover they couldn't find a taxi to take them to a nightclub.

"No problem," said a passing police officer. "Jump in the van and I'll take you instead."

He then preceded to take his guests on a mini tour of Ankara, stopping at three separate venues until he found one open and dropped them off at the door.

Now that's what I call service with a smile!

Even the pundits miss Channel 5

FORMER Blackburn star Tony Gale must have felt like a right Turkey when Rovers played Genclerbirligi in the UEFA Cup this week.

For those who didn't see Channel 5's coverage of the game, Gale had been lined up to be their pundit for the tie.

But a flight delay meant that he turned up 15 minutes late for the match so had to make a humble apology when he finally took his seat in the commentary box.

Off Beam with passport problem

STILL in Turkey, and the trip got off to a disastrous start as far as commercial director Ken Beamish was concerned.

For when Ken arrived at Manchester Airport on Tuesday morning he soon realised he had left his passport at home.

Thankfully, a quick call to his wife saved the day and she dashed to the airport in time to save his blushes.

However, the flight was late in taking off anyway because Graeme Souness had got the departure time mixed up!