Northern Ireland v Luxembuourg (05/09/2024)

I’ve written in the past about everything an away day entails as a fan. For the guys who help with our Fans Embassy there’s a lot that happens which many may not even realise. A couple of weeks ago we took part in a two-day training event for Supporter Liaison Officers (SLOs) which was facilitated by NIFL and jointly led by UEFA and Football Supporters Europe, a continent wide fans collective that our own AONISC group is affiliated to. It was an interesting couple of days, attended by SLOs from several NIFL clubs and with input from the various organising bodies as well as one of the PSNI football liaison officers. One of the main learning points for me was the realisation of how far we’ve travelled on our own ‘journey’ as a fans’ body. We had the opportunity to pass on our own knowledge and experiences, built up over the past two decades, to those who are at a much earlier stage of the SLO role within their respective clubs. One of the most valuable things that comes with the many years’ experience we’ve built up is the extensive list of contacts we have across the UK and Europe. We’ll often exchange information with The recent scramble for Oasis tickets (I am a fan but decided to sit last weekend’s melee out) brought to mind the lyrics of one of their songs, “Hello, hello, it’s good to be back!”, and so it is after 10 months and four successive away games that we have a home fixture. YOU’VE GOT TO ROLL WITH IT

fan representatives from other countries about places we’ve already been to that they’re due to visit. Just a few weeks ago we met with the co-ordinators of the England Fan Embassy while across in Newcastle as part of another fan initiative we’re working on. Kevin Miles, who is handing over the reins of our English counterparts’ embassy operation after a mammoth 34 years, has been a constant source of knowledge, advice and support to us. Whilst not yet carrying the title of SLOs, the AONISC volunteers who work alongside me give their time freely as we work in partnership with Irish FA staff and the PSNI to prepare for each away game. This includes taking part in a preparatory visit, sharing the information gathered ahead of the match and giving up our time during the away trip and on match day to try and make things run as smoothly as possible. Many SLOs are employed by clubs, or national associations, or in some cases they fulfil both roles. The growing recognition of the important role that fans must play in delivering this function is welcome. We can often take the sting out of difficult situations which have the potential to become heated by chatting to fans and acting as a ‘bridge’ between fans and police. Bulgaria in Plovdiv on Sunday awaits the next leg of our Fan Embassy operation and I’ll be giving an insight into that and some other away fixtures in the next match programme. GARY McALLISTER AMALGAMATION OF OFFICIAL NORTHERN IRELAND SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

FOLLOW US AT @WGMac

TheAmalgamation www.aonisc.co.uk

IRISHFA.COM

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