PUBLICAN Craig Holt phoned home at the weekend to reveal he had beaten the ban on England fans to watch David Beckham's team manage a crucial draw against Turkey in Istanbul.

The 44-year-old from York - along with his wife and a friend - believe they may have been the only England supporters who managed to sneak into the stadium.

After the game, he phoned to say: "It was worth all the sweat - and trying not to shout for our team."

The diehard England fan who is landlord of the Five Lions in Walmgate, was on holiday in Turkey with his wife Jo, 42, and two friends.

They travelled to Istanbul as genuine holidaymakers on Friday without any problems.

There with the help of a Turkish friend, a Fernabache supporter, they bought tickets at £30 each,

His step-daughter Carla Tracey, 23, who is managing the pub, said: "Craig phoned on his mobile as they were leaving the ground. He was excited about the result, but a bit tense and nervous, saying there were Turkish fans near him.

"He went silent for a while and then continued to talk."

Carla said that Craig, Jo and friend, York builder Nigel Kelly, got through the extensive security cordon.

But Nigel's girlfriend Sian Mullarkey, was stopped and turned away.

Craig and Jo also travelled to see Macedonia, last month defying the first FA warning to see England win.

The FA banned England fans to avoid conflicts that could expel England from Euro 2004.

Speaking before the game - which saw England through to the Euro 2004 Championships in Portugal - Craig said: "Genuine fans like us should not be denied the chance to watch such a crucial game."