Quietness greets England departure

IN stark contrast to the jubilant scenes after England's epic win over Argentina – today the streets were empty.In celebration last week fans filled the Cornhill and congered their way through the town in carnival style.

By Victoria Knowles

IN stark contrast to the jubilant scenes after England's epic win over Argentina – today the streets were empty.

In celebration last week fans filled the Cornhill and congered their way through the town in carnival style.

The town centre had been a heaving mass of red and white faces, flags and shirts all dancing to the tune of an England victory.

But today the streets had only despondent fans making the slow walk back to work. They trickled rather than poured through the streets, heavy hearted and reluctant to let go of the world cup dream.

The odd England shirt cut a lone figure against the back drop of such an important defeat. But while fans were understandably up set they kept their dignity and the streets remained trouble free.

The pubs in and around Ipswich which were showing the game had been packed by 7.30am. But the air of celebration soon turned to despair when Brazil's second goal thundered in to the back of the net.

Police spokeswoman Lisa Wilson said there had been no trouble and that the deflated England fans had been gracious in defeat.

"We had a police presence around the town throughout the build-up , during, and after the game but everyone was well behaved.

"Some of the pubs had good humoured rowdiness but nothing that we needed to intervene in. We had given guidelines to publicans before the games and these seemed to have worked. People seemed too sad to bother causing trouble," she said.

Brannigans in Grafton Way, Ipswich showed the match, and manager David Dedona said there was too much sadness for any trouble.

"People were obviously up set after the match but it was not a violent atmosphere at all.

"Everyone was just too sad. People trickled out of the bar and just went on their way, " he said.