England fans take over Gelsenkirchen in a largely peraceful display of patriotism
Credit: Paul Currie/Shutterstock
England fans are dancing in the dark at the Euros after unleashing a new repertoire of songs to cheer on the Three Lions.
Residents of Gelsenkirchen,the German city where England took on Serbia last night,were treated to renditions ofHey Jude by The Beatles and an adaptation of Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 hit Dancing in the Dark with lyrics about midfielder Phil Foden.
About 50,000 England fans descended on the city for last night’s game after bringing the party to much of western Germany where there was largely a party atmosphere.
During the match,fans in the stadium could be heard singing Hey Jude as Jude Bellingham scored his winning goal.
Before the game,amid chanting and cheering,some violent scenes broke out between England and Serbia supporters in central Gelsenkirchen,ahead of the match between the two countries last night.
Riot police intervened,as bottles were smashed,tables were toppled and chairs thrown by fans.
England fans have widened their repertoire for Euro 2024
Credit: Paul Grover
The sound of It’s Coming Home could be heard all over,but this year fans have brought an extended setlist.
While some fans ignored calls not to sing the offensive 10 German bombers most were focused on making Phil Foden,the 24-year-old midfielder,who was last month voted England’s footballer of the year,the star of an adaptation of Springsteen’s anthem from his seminal album Born in the USA.
“You can’t start a fire / You can’t start a fire without a spark / Phil Foden’s on fire / Running through the middle of the park,” fans sang as they danced on tables and downed German lagers in city bars.
Bellingham,the 20-year-old superstar will also become a focal point for the fans in Germany during Euro 2024.
Rather than harking back to 1966,England fans have gone back in time to 1968 and the Beatles number 1 Hey Jude’ is belted out in a tribute the young Brummie,hailed as the new David Beckham.
Other recent additions to the England back catalogue include Harry Kane is on My Mind to the tune of Manfred Mann’s 1964 chart topper Do Wah Diddy Diddy.
Fighting breaks out between what appears to be England and Serbia fans
Credit: Story Picture Agency
“Singing do wah diddy,diddy dum,diddy do,” the song goes. “Running past the Germans scoring number two.
“He looks good. He looks fine. Harry Kane is on my mind and he’s England’s number nine.”
In a sign of England’s confidence and despite the national heartbreak of Harry Kane’s botched strike from the spot at the 2022 Qatar World Cup,the lyrics insist penalties will not be a problem.
“For once we’re on top and it’s clear to me,” fans sing. “That we’d win even on penalties.
“Harry’s scoring up top,beer’s flowing non-stop. Let’s have another six son. Harry’s scoring up top,beer’s flowing non-stop”.
Despite the party atmosphere,other controversial songs have been heard in the bars of Gelsenkirchen,with fans ignoring calls from police not to sing “10 German Bombers”.
The song,which mocks German casualties during the war,can still be heard a week after Peter Both,the police chief in Gelsenkirchen,told fans,“Don’t be a d---” by singing the song.
Sunday was not free from trouble either,after England fans fought among themselves and later started a running battle with Serbian fans on a side street.
At least seven people were arrested after hooligans fought and threw bottles and furniture outside of a steak restaurant before the fray was broken up by hundreds of riot police.
One man was seen covered in blood,with a bleeding gash on his head after the brawl. Police were on high alert last night,escorting Serbian ultras from the train station.
UK officers have said any fans identified will be issued with football banning orders.
Initially,some suggested the brawl was started by either British or Albanian.
However,it is understood the crowd were England supporters.
In one video,a fan hurling a table had a Bolton Wanderers tattoo on his leg. A number of fans were injured in the skirmishes.
A number of fans were injured in the skirmishes in Gelsenkirchen
Credit: Story Picture Agency
Hooligan social media accounts show Albanian ultras from Shvercerat posing with Birmingham City fans in Gelsenkirchen this morning.
British police spotters were on the scene as the violence erupted,with one English fan claiming a group of men in balaclavas “ran around the corner and started throwing bottles”.
“I ran away and the next thing I saw was the tables being smashed and chairs being thrown,” the fan,who gave his name as Larry,added.
Pictures of the aftermath showed riot police clad in black uniforms standing on a street strewn with shards of broken glass and broken furniture.
While it remains to be seen whether the confident predictions of England’s success contained in the songs will be overly optimistic,one tune has already lived up to its name.
“Scotland get battered,everywhere they go,” fans sang as they forced a lost Scot in a kilt to join their party.
