England fans out to enjoy the game (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

First match for our boys attracts supporters to city centre pubs

10:11pm Monday 11th June 2012 in Bradford By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

by Dolores Cowburn Bradford Chief Reporter Locals poured into city centre pubs last night to watch England and France battle it out in the nation’s opening match in the European Championships.

The result was a 1-1 draw, but that did not stop some Bradfordians remaining hopeful that England might go all the way to the final.

England now play Sweden on Friday night in their next group match.

Wetherspoons in Centenary Square was busy with office workers and workmen of all ages who gathered round the television screens.

About 80 people were in Wetherspoons including groups of friends who came out specially to see the match.

Some people took that extra step of kitting themselves out in flags and England shirts in case anyone was unsure where their loyalty lay.

The pub filled up with cheers and boos as the second half wore on with fraught minutes punctuated by hopeful cheers as fans watched their team bid for a second goal.

In Centenary Square people spilled out of the pub after the match in good spirits and there were plenty of cheers all round from people who had clearly raced to the pub straight from work to catch the match.

Bohdan Pazyniak, 46, was watching the match and thought that England should have won. He was staying on for the Ukraine versus Sweden game because he comes from the Ukraine.

Other pubs showing the England match included The Ginger Goose on Broadway.

Staff said that 50 people turned up to watch the game with the pub busier than usual.

The Queen on Bridge Street was also showing it as was The City Vaults on Hustlergate.

Faye Allen, 20, of Clayton, said that she thought the match was “all right, considering the weak team with many players injured or missing”.

“It was a good performance and I think we may get to the quarter finals,” she added.

e-mail: dolores.cowburn @telegraphandargus.co.uk l Match report – Page 33