GOING DUTCH

Berwickshire's Tartan Army footsoldiers go Dutch

Fans head to Amsterdam for World Cup qualifier

GOING DUTCH: Chirnside Tartan Army, along with their Jim Clark flag, head off to Amsterdam
25 March 2009

By Kenny Paterson

BERWICKSHIRE is going orange crazy this weekend as Tartan Army footsoldiers from the region descend on Amsterdam for Scotland's crucial World Cup qualifier with the Netherlands on Saturday.

Fans from Coldstream, Duns and Eyemouth are preparing to meet up with the famously colourful Dutch supporters, while Chirnside Tartan Army will boast their biggest contingent to an overseas game.
A total of 28 Chirnside fans will make the trip across the North Sea with their now famous Jim Clark Scotland flag by any means possible.
Chirnside TA member James Bolton told the Berwickshire News: "We must have one of the biggest groups of people going in the Borders.
"I know there are 19 lads going to Holland from Newtown, and lads from Eyemouth, Duns and Coldstream are also making the trip, but 28 is the most we have ever taken to an away match so far.
"Ten of the guys are getting the train from Berwick and then the Eurostar to Brussels, while another eight of us are going from Teeside Airport and the rest from Newcastle Airport.
"We are all staying in a hostel in the centre of Amsterdam and should all be aboard by Friday evening."
Despite previously going to matches in Ukraine, Macedonia, France and Macedonia, James is among the thousands of Scotland fans without a ticket for the game at Amsterdam's Ajax Arena.
Only eight of the group have tickets, but the other 20 Chirnside supporters aim to enjoy their weekend nonetheless and will still be praying for a Scotland victory against the odds, similar to the famous France win in 2007.
"We will just have to drink," added James, who will be one of the Chirnside TA wearing specially made orange shirts from the village's Shenanigans and Signs store.
" Holland are a better side than France were and I think we will probably be beaten two or three to nil.
"Our squad is not good enough and I think we will need to go to Norway and get a result in August to stand any chance of qualifying.
"But I am still really looking forward to the Holland trip."
Fans from Chirnside who have recovered from their visit to Europe's most liberal city will travel to Hampden Park, Glasgow next Wednesday, April 1 for Scotland's home match against Iceland.
Chirnside TA also host Tartan Army member and musician Roger West on Saturday, April 4, before Scocha visit the village on November 7 for a charity gig at the primary school.
An estimated 10,000 of the Tartan Army will visit Amsterdam hoping the Scots can produce a shock result against Group 9 leaders Netherlands, who are ranked third in the world.
George Burley's side are currently second in the World Cup qualifying group but need to pick up points in their remaining five games if they are to gain a play off spot.

Click here to return to the News page

Powered by Create