Back when the draw for Euro 2000 was made, there were two games most looked forward to in our household, the Finnish ones. No, I'm not a fan of FC Jazz , MyPa47 or another strange Finnish side but I'm married to a Finn and as I'm no fan of Edward Irvine, this is the only Finnish v N.I sporting battle me and the wife could enjoy. As we got stuffed in Turkey and Finland beat Moldova the banter started and it got me thinking what sort of reaction Finnish fans would get from N.Ireland fans. I could see a fanzine article coming, and hence I was going to become an 'Undercover Away Fan'….......

The original plan was to hit Ballymena on the Friday night for the U21 game but come Friday night, I was still in Hull, of all places, due to work, watching Hull City v. Cardiff, before driving up to Stranraer for the 5am Seacat. My wife, had flown in a couple of days before complete with a "Transform you into a Finn" kit. This consisted of a pair of black slip-ons, white socks, skin tight jeans and various other items of 1980's clothing. Just as well I missed the U21 game as you would have mistaken me as a local in Ballymena.

In the end we settled for a Finland scarf and me putting on a Finnish accent which sounded like a Pakistani Welshman. With my wife dressed in a Finnish hat, scarf and carrying a 4ft Finnish flag, nobody could not mistake us for Finnish supporters. After meeting up with our "hosts" in NI shirts Rich and Martin, we took a walk around the City Centre receiving more than one curious look, especially at Marita's hat! The Formula 1 shop, avoiding the Ferrari section and the Rangers shop were popped into and the staff very friendly due no doubt to the Finnish F1 and Ibrox connections. Down in Cornmarket we encountered the first banter of the day, 3 young scamps on a shoplifting spree came up to wish us luck…

3 Young Scamps: Yeow Finland, I hope you beat those Orange Bastards today.

Undercover Finn: .(In NI accent) F**k off back to your slum you gypsy bastards.

3 Young Scamps: (!)

On round to the Crown, which is rapidly becoming the pre-match watering hole of all mainland based Norn Iron fans to meet up with old friends. Our first real encounter with N.I fans, comments ranged from "You alright" and "Good luck today" to "What the f**k are you wearing a Finland scarf for" from those who knew me! While at the bar in the Crown, a guy starting up a conversation while waiting to order drinks, which went along something like this:

Him: (when spotting my Suomi Finland scarf) Suomi Finland, SF, I hope you're flying the flag at Windsor Park today?

Me: (in Pakistani Welsh Finnish): I'm sorry I didn't understand.

Him: SF (leans forward to me ear) Sinn Fein SF Sinn Fein. Fly the flag today.

Me: (in strongest N.I accent) What the fuck are you getting at mate?.

Him: Sharp exit open mouthed to hide in one of the alcoves with his mate.


A few nods and quiet words in the ears of mates and looks over at the alcove saw our 'chucky' friend depart soon afterwards.

Me: Hey Linfield!

NI fan: Hey, Finland (thinking Linfield are famous in Helsinki).

Me: Linfield yes, Gerry Adams your MP?

NI fan: (!)

I want to make clear that the Finnish scarf was taken off for the actual game, I wasn't going that far and supporting them instead of Norn Iron!

My wife was most impressed by the stewards, making sure all was ok, and the many NI fans wanting to wish Finland luck or swapping scarves. She was most impressed however by the respect shown to the Finnish national anthem. We all should be proud of the fact that we are the only British and one of only a few European countries that respect the oppositions national anthem. After the game I became a Finn again and started ripping the piss out of more Linfield clad N.I supporters on my way up to the Four In Hand.

By this time we had gathered a posse of Finns including a pair of jokers from Tampere who flew into Dublin for the game and stayed there because "We were worried about the bombs and the soldiers". I told them I would be more worried about parking a hire car with Irish plates in the Village! The party went on in the Four in Hand until closing time.

After a day posing as an away supporter and having a right laugh, I can say hand on heart that away fans from all but one country would have no problem visiting Windsor. Oh yes, and N.I supporters in Linfield gear at N.I games aren't the brightest pins in the cushion!