Angry fans were scathing about the display on Internet sites with some suggesting that it was now crazy for the Irish FA to consider going to Chile, still suffering the effects of the earthquake, for an end-of-season tour following the nightmare trip to Albania.Gary McAllister, spokesman for the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs, said: “The match with Albania was scheduled to build confidence for the European Championship qualifiers later this year, but it didn’t work out like that.“The friendly wasn’t against the most glamourous opposition, played on a poor pitch with a demoralising outcome which had people questioning its worth.“Fans have mixed views on the value of friendlies internationals. My own is that they are useful to develop young players.”Jim Rainey, travel secretary of the Amalgamation, added: “The performance was as bad as I’ve seen in a while. Albania is not the most attractive of countries to visit and it’s hard to get there. That’s why myself and many others didn’t go. There will be lots of fans booking flights and accommodation when the dates for the Euro campaign come out next week and that will be expensive enough.”Eighty Northern Ireland fans made the trip to Tirana and David Healy reveals in his Belfast Telegraph column today that he had a frank exchange of views with one of them after the final whistle.Record goalscorer Healy wrote: “After the match one of our supporters shouted to the players that it was the worst he had seen from a Northern Ireland team. That’s his opinion. Fair enough. He also said that we weren’t fit to wear the shirt which I thought was a bit over the top so I asked him to come and have a chat.“He was obviously angry with how things turned out. I told him that the players are devoted to the country too and the easy option for the boys would have been to have stayed at home and not travelled, but we were in Tirana trying to get a result.”The fan apologised to Healy the next day for what had been said.

( “Belfast Telegraph” )

Shawcross (right) challenges Wayne Rooney during England training

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has revealed that both he and Ryan Shawcross have been in contact with Aaron Ramsey after the tackle which broke the player’s leg.

Shawcross was sent off for the challenge on the Arsenal midfielder and Pulis confirmed the club would not appeal against the three-match ban.“It was very, very important that we got hold of the lad as quickly as possible and spoke to him,” said Pulis.”We will continue to keep in contact with him through his recovery period.”

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger described the tackle as “unacceptable” but Shawcross has vowed not to change his style of play when he returns.The defender received criticism following the challenge but several team-mates and fellow professionals have come to his defence.”Whenever I play for Stoke I am 100% committed and that will be the same as ever when I next play,” said the 22-year-old, who left the field in tears after seeing Ramsey’s double fracture.

606: DEBATE Was the red card given due to the extent of the injury rather than the tackle itself? scfcand

“Hopefully, when I am back from suspension, I can do well again. The fans and a lot of people around me have been fantastic in their support over the past few days.”

In an unfortunate twist for Shawcross the challenge and injury to Ramsey came on the same day as his first England call-up.

The centre-back has spent the week with the England squad and was an unused substitute in the 3-1 win over Egypt, something he admitted has helped take his mind off the issue.”The other players have been fantastic. It has been about football really, nothing else,” he told The Sentinel newspaper.”I have enjoyed it thoroughly with England. It has been a tough few days, but all I can do now is look forward and hopefully get back in this squad again.”Hopefully I can do well over the next couple of months and get my chance.”

People like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham have been brilliant and I think Shawcross will be the first to say how much help he’s had from the players Tony Pulis

Pulis said both the player and club were keen to put an end to the matter and also moved to praise the way the England players have helped the highly-rated defender this week.”I don’t think it is an incident we want to bring up again,” added Pulis.”It was an awkward challenge, not a dirty challenge. But we’ll take our punishment as I think we have to move on and that is what we’ll do.

“Ryan’s been away and he’s had a fantastic couple of days with England.”I’ve made sure I’ve spoken to him every day and he has been fine and the players have been fantastic.”Steven Gerrard, apparently, has been exceptional and as the captain of the team has really looked after him.”People like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham have been brilliant and I think Shawcross will be the first to say how much help he’s had from the players.”Beckham has been very good with him, like they all have. It’s the first time he has been called up for England and I think they do it with most of the lads.”They are human beings and they know he is new to the squad, irrespective of what happened on Saturday, and that he will need some help.”

( BBC Football )

Rangers hooligans banned after attacking Aberdeen fans

Three Rangers football hooligans who attended the Alloa Athletic and Aberdeen game looking for trouble were hit with football banning orders. The three men targeted January 2009’s Scottish Cup clash between Alloa and Aberdeen as they thought there would be a low police presence.Cops refused them entry to the Clackmannanshire side’s Recreation Park after shouting anti-Aberdeen chants.But yards down the road they attacked away supporters at the end of the game.Known hooligan E. M., who Rangers banned from Ibrox for life 10 years ago has been banned from all UK football grounds for five years and given 150 hours of community service.M.R. and pals L. W. and L. M., were the only people out of 10 arrested during the fight to be taken to court. Several Dons fans were injured after the fighting.W., got a three-year ban and 150 hours’ community service. M., was banned for a year and fined £300.They were sentenced at Alloa Sheriff Court after being found guilty of breach of the peace and football-related violence.Procurator fiscal Andrew Grant said, “The imposition of banning orders will protect genuine fans from being subjected to such behaviouFormer prison warder M.R. has previously been alleged to be a leading figure in the notorious Inter City Firm of football casuals. He was first banned by Rangers in 1999 after being caught with a swastika flag on a flight after a match in Spain. He then got a life ban by the Ibrox club for attending a home match against Sturm Graz in 2000.And he was caught on camera in the thick of a clash with baton-wielding police at a UEFA Cup game against Osasuna in March 2007.

Source: Daily Record

Rangers Fan set to lose job over singing Famine Song