Lions roar at Portman Road

JUST like the three lions on the England shirt, Portman Road roared and did England proud.The lucky 29,000 fans who managed to snap-up a ticket for the regions first ever full England international certainly had a night to remember.

JUST like the three lions on the England shirt, Portman Road roared and did England proud.

The lucky 29,000 fans who managed to snap-up a ticket for the regions first ever full England international certainly had a night to remember.

The atmosphere inside the ground was electric and the occasion was more akin to a carnival than a football match.

The traditional sea of blue and white, which normally fills the stands on a Saturday, was replaced with the red and white of England.

Flags swayed, horns and cow bells sounded and the clapping, cheering and singing never stopped for the entire 90 minutes of entertaining football.

A 'once in a lifetime experience', the glory of the day is sure to live long in the memory of the town.

Sir Bobby Robson was given a rousing reception and chants of 'There's only one Bobby Robson' echoed around the ground as he was introduced to the sides by the two captains.

Both national anthems were respected and there was a minute's silence for the recently deceased Jimmy Davis and Ray Harford.

And it wasn't long before the atmosphere hit fever pitch when England captain David Beckham converted a penalty and gave England the lead.

For once the North Stand wasn't the noisiest area of the ground, with the South and Britannia housing the more vocal supporters.

The reception given to the Real Madrid star was overwhelming. Every time he stepped up to take a corner the crowd around him went wild and gave him a standing ovation.

Throughout the match, cameras were flashing in the crowd as everybody wanted a keep-sake and their own special momentum of the occasion.