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On this day 20 years ago: When France and Bulgaria turned St James' Park into their playground; Thousands of fans arrived in Newcastle to see France defeat Bulgaria 3-1 in the Group B game of Euro 96.

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Byline: Michael Marsh

It's two decades since England and Tyneside were gripped by football fever.

Even if you weren't a football fan, you couldn't escape the Euro 96 football championships that raised the nation's hopes.

World stars of the game arrived in Newcastle as the city embraced our first home tournament since the triumphant 1966 World Cup. Ah, those were the days.

St James' Park would host three matches in Group B of the tournament, featuring France, Bulgaria and Romania.

And it's 20 years ago today (June 18) since our foes across the Channel beat Bulgaria 3-1, thanks to goals from Laurent Blanc, Patrice Loko and an own goal.

More than 20,000 foreign football fans were expected to fly into Newcastle Airport.

A Brown Ale Welcome Village - a nine-acre site between St James' Park and Scottish & Newcastle Breweries - was created to greet them.

Its main focus was a huge tent with bars, food outlets and five large television screens providing live coverage of all matches. It also boasted a funfair.

And, as The Chronicle reported at the time: "Whether you're a soccer nut or think a square ball is a dance for people in flares, Euro 96 is going to affect your life over the next...

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