DIEHARD England fan and York pub landlord Craig Holt today told how he successfully defied the FA and bluffed his way into the crucial clash with Turkey.

Craig, who runs the Five Lions, in Walmgate, managed to sneak into the cauldron-like atmosphere of the Sukru Sarocoglu stadium to see England secure the point they needed.

Craig, wife Jo and two friends disguised themselves as Turkish fans to get into the game.

They had befriended and taken advice from a Fernabache fan, the team that plays its home games at the Sukru Sarocoglu stadium.

The four then bought black market tickets for the match.

Craig said the game was the most passionate atmosphere he had encountered at any of the 30 international games he has witnessed.

But he said there was never any danger to himself, his wife or his friends.

He said: "There weren't many English around and when I got stopped by the police I told them I was Scottish. The atmosphere was fantastic and the Turkish fans weren't aggressive to us at all."

Craig said he kept very quiet through the match.

"I had to. I was sitting on my hands at one point. It was well worth it, a great experience."

The FA had urged fans not to travel to the game for fears violence would break out and lead to England's expulsion from Euro 2004. It is not known how many got into the match.

The massive security operation involving thousands of Turkish police in riot gear that had swung into operation to stop trouble proved successful.

Forty-five England fans were sent back to Britain after landing in Istanbul in an attempt to see the game.

A Home Office spokeswoman said seven England fans were stopped at the cordons around the ground and were taken to a community centre, where they were held for the duration of the game.

Updated: 10:33 Monday, October 13, 2003