Furious fans left in dark

THE 2,000 travelling England fans were stunned by the postponement, furious with Polish authorities who ignored weather warnings and disappointed that Roy Hodgson and his players did not come out to see them in Warsaw. Failing to acknowledge supporters is one of the details contained in England’s new code of conduct but the players were changed and on their bus by the time the game was called off. Supporters were left to find out details about the game via friends at home watching on television. Some were weighing up the extra cost of rearranging flights home while others were resigned to missing the game and not even seeing it on television because they will be in the air. James Holland and Matthew Newton, both in the RAF and based at Lossiemouth in North Scotland, are just back from Afghanistan. Holland said: ‘The FA advised fans to pack for rain on our fans’ website so no-one can say that they weren’t expecting rain. It’s a disgrace. ‘We had to take two different flights. We’re working-class lads, this is a treat for us.’ Newton said: ‘What disappointed me most was the players could not be bothered to come out and see the fans.’ Brian Wright travelled from Coventry with his father, also Brian, and David Hartopp, flying from Birmingham to Katowice and then more than six hours on a minibus by road to Warsaw. ‘The fact that we were getting our information from friends at home was a disgrace,’ said Brian Jnr. ‘There was only one announcement in English all night. ‘Why didn’t they shut the roof? We knew it would rain.’