Wed (23/6)

Another trip to Cologne, and a failed attempt to seek out Mama Kleinmann's Bar to stone the windows. Oh well - that just means more Kölsh drinking time! (One bar was a classic - the waiter storms over when he sees us laughing and not drinking and yells "You are here to drink and not have a good time!" Oops!)

Back to Dusseldorf and Knoten for another hard night. The Dragons front office, plus a contingent of Claymores and Dragons fans (Montse and John) have now arrived and another great evening is had. Montse teaches us once again the steps to "Follow the Leader" (the Spanish version).

Thur (24/6)

It's Media Day - but despite that the Cheddars, along with Markus, Montse and John decide to go along and cause trouble. And cause trouble we did! Despite being invited inside the Rheinstadion where the press conferences are taken place by Miguel Matas (enjoying his last days as the president of the Dragons), one of the Fire front office is clearly worried by our presence and escorts us into the stands and locks the gate! And thus the HOOLIGANS were born! Unbelievable!

Dick demonstrates to Jack just how far Kleinmann's misses were, safely away from the hooligan presence.

But the Hooligans broke through the bench and stormed the field! Thankfully Dragons DL coach Sam Clancy managed to nab this Scottish fan and escort him back to the cage!

Lawrence Phillips - Offensive MVP

GM of the Broncos John Beake with the Cheddars. John is also the Chairman of the NFL Working Group Committee of NFL Europe. We didn't want to force John in being cheddared, so the Troy Aikman holding position was sufficient for us! However we only did this as a courtesy after John had so kindly let us don his jewellery (see below).

Super Bowl Ring Baby!

After all that it was back to Knoten again for more "Follow the Leader". Slowly more fans were assembling for the weekend's festivities. Spotted here is Steve "Touchdown Claymores" Dalgiesh enjoying his first taste of Alt Beer!

The Party Girls - Montse and Lynda. Monste's ability to take 1000's of photographs is without parallel in NFLE!

First Down on Tour! Ben and Neil. Ben's ability to master the Spanish version of "Follow the Leader" was an extraordinary combination of skill, suave and drink! As Keith Webster kept reminding us, "Ben's just one bullet away from being editor!"

With the party slowly fading at about 4am it was time to embark on another "Mission Possible". This one was quite simple. Basically it was time for some night-time shopping of World Bowl flags!

We head down to the waterfront and spotted a prime row of poles that needed climbing. The wrecking crew of Cheddars, Steve D, Derek, Ross, Christof, John and Montse set about the task. One would get a shoulder lift up the pole and untie the bottom. Then the flag could be lowered - but the top of the rope was still attached to the top of the very high pole. The only way to get it down involved 3 or 4 of us maniacally swinging on the rope till it ripped off the top of the pole. The problem was this took some time and when the rope finally gave way, we were hurled 10 yards backwards collapsing in fits on the concrete! (10 yards the other way and we were water borne!)

This was no problem and we quickly made small work of these flags near the water. By this time it was getting light and we headed for home. However passing the Rathaus (Town Hall) on the way back we spotted another, and figured that this one in full view and gathering daylight, would present a far greater challenge! And it did, but despite a few observers we had another flag!

Before (left) and After (right). Mission Complete! Sadly we went to sleep in our hotel after hanging the flag out and forget about it until the next day. Ooops! Big oops when we were rudely awakened by the police the next morning. But alas, it was just a set-up ...

 Click here to go back to the 1999 menu!

 Click here to go back to the NFLE menu!

 Click here to go back to the main site!