Spain v England
Estadio Rico Perez
Alicante, Spain
13 Oct 2015
England's final away fixture was against the reigning European Champions from Spain. Oddly enough, the Spanish Football Federation had decided to use a Third Division stadium for the game, but that didn't bother us because the location was Alicante on the Costa Blanca. Bring on that Winter sun!
England's official allocation was 2400, but as supply had met demand there was to be no ballot and nobody could really complain. Having said that, a fair few Ex Pats/non ESTC members had acquired tickets via other routes, including touts. As is always the case in Spain, there were a lot of fakes being sold leading to many disappointed fans.
Adam Lallana made his debut for England when he was a Southampton player in the 2013 home friendly against Chile. He now has 19 caps under his belt and is bang in form following his move to Liverpool
18 Jun 1982, FIFA WC 82, Gp 3, Argentina v Hungary (4:1)
23 Jun 1982, FIFA WC 82, Gp 3, Argentina v El Salvador (2:0)
10 Jul 1982, FIFA WC 82, 3rd Place, PO Poand v France (3:2)
Day 1 Arrival and matchday. After checking in at hotel 'Tryp Gran Sol' we head straight out to collect tickets
Estadio Jose Rico Perez has a capacity of 29,500.
Soaking up the atmosphere with Chelsea (Derby) Mick
Soaking up the atmosphere with Chelsea (Derby) Mick
La Terracotta just opposite the Marina.
Hercules are in the 3rd tier of Spanish football
Roofless in Alicante
England in Block 10
View from the South stand.
East stand
West stand
Spain's most famous football fan, Manuel Careers Artesero.
AKA 'Manolo el del Bombo' or 'Manolo the Bass Drummer'
England's most notorious Tapas King.
Sue's 50th cap.
Worried England fans.
Happy Spanish fans.
To be fair we are getting spanked.
Spain 2 England 0
Attendance: 29500
History of Hercules
Day2 - Exploring Alicante. The promenade at the port - 'Paseo de Tomas y Valiant' is spectacular
Estatua de Canalejas,
former Prime Minister of Spain 1910-12.
Parque de Canaletas, full of really old and deep rooted trees.
Ice cream on the Marina, can't beat it.
Our massive hotel, the Tryp Gran Sol.
'Return of Icarus' statue on the marina, Alicante.
The life size replica of the 18th C Spanish galleon,
'Santisima Trinidad'.
Life on board could be good.
You even get a drink with the 5€ entrance fee.
Alicanti's beach
Church of Santa Maria
Modern art or a weird protest, discuss?
A wedding taking place as we walk up
the mountain to the Castle of St Barbara
Entrance to the castle
The walk to the castle.
View of the Marina
The highest point.
The Bull Ring
Estadio Jose Rico Perez
The descent begins
Mexican guitarists are preparing to serenade
the wedding couple from earlier.
The long road up to the stadium from town.
Castle of St Barbara.
Mercado Central.
Statue of the Bulls on 'Plaza De Toros'
A Butchers specialising in Horse meat in the Old Town.
Approaching the scene of last nights defeat
The billboards are still up
Sadly the club shop is closed
England shirts on sale
Floodlight porn 1
England's entrance
Concrete simplicity
Floodlight porn 2
Day 3 - Sweeping up the culture. First up is the Ayuntamiento (Alicante City Hall)
Street music in the old town.
Avida General Marva.
Drum class at the other castle (Castle of St Fernando).
On top Castle St Fernando.
Ocean Race Club at the Marina.
The Marina with the Castle of St Barbara in the distance
Anchovies and crisps, the best Tapas ever.
Anchovies on a bed of crisps drizzled with
olive oil, vinegar and a sprinkle of salt.
Spanish Ham being cut on the Marina.
The last supper (Paella) was top draw.
Paula and Kev (Freddie's brother) from Sunderland.
Buenas Noches Alicante.
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