HOPE, HOPE HOORAY!
Carnival spirit as fans chant: We’re here to party – and help the economy!
TENS of thousands of fans turned London into a Tartan Army carnival yesterday.
As millions more across Scotland gathered in anticipation of the eagerly awaited clash last night, Scots took over Leicester Square and Hyde Park for impromptu parties despite frequent downpours.
And while large swathes of London were awash with Saltires and kilts, even more excited Scots north of the Border cheered on the team as they played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw against the Auld Enemy at Wembley.
Pubs and beer gardens began filling up as kick-off approached amid predictions that Scotland’s long-suffering hospitality industry would sell around two million pints during the day.
In Glasgow, thousands of nervous but optimistic supporters packed the official fan zone enjoying the party in the evening sunshine, while across the country, countless homes hosted friends and family to watch the historic Euro 2020 clash.
But it was in London where Scotland fans made themselves the centre of attention.
Police and politicians had made it plain that only the 2,600 Scotland supporters with tickets for the showpiece Wembley occasion should come south. However, hordes of fans began flooding London on Thursday and their numbers grew yesterday as thousands more arrived at Euston and King’s Cross railway stations.
The traditional Tartan Army rallying point of Trafalgar Square was ruled out of bounds and it had been made clear that there would be no fan zones or facilities laid on.
Instead, supporters converged on other landmarks and made their own entertainment with a soundtrack of singing, chanting and the skirl of bagpipes.
Heavy downpours peppered the city for hour after hour, but far from being deterred by the rain, fans – many bare-chested and kilted – turned the pavements into water slides. One fan, Rab Foulis, said: ‘Everybody’s throwing a party. We’ve all had double vaccinations and we’re saying, you know what, why is Britain as a country still holding the economy back? So we’re here and we’re helping London’s economy.’
Another supporter, Mark Graham, added: ‘Scotland will make their own fan zones. We’ve booked a pub for last night and for tonight, so we’re well prepared.’
At Piccadilly Circus, despite the rain, fans set up their own five-a-side pitch using traffic cones for goalposts, with passing fans and even some bemused locals joining in to cheers. James Fettes, 38, who had travelled from Aberdeen with six friends, said: ‘We’re not letting this dampen our spirits. That’s the Scottish way. It’s even better like this – we’re used to the weather.’
At Leicester Square, a massive conga line and blue flares added to the carnival atmos
phere. Met Police Chief Inspector Joseph Stokoe said: ‘It’s a shame, it feels like there aren’t enough places for the fans to enjoy themselves, but that’s why the message has always been “if you don’t have a ticket, don’t travel”.’