DIEHARD football fan and York pub landlord Craig Holt is preparing to ignore FA advice and head for England's crucial World Cup clash with Turkey.

Craig, boss of The Five Lions, in Walmgate, is heading to the Turkish resort of Bodrum in early October for a holiday with his wife, Jo.

He plans to fly to Istanbul on October 11 - the day of the potentially explosive match - then decide whether or not to go to the game.

Craig usually watches England with Jo, but he said she will be staying in Bodrum when he goes to Istanbul.

The Football Association refused its allocation of tickets and has been urging fans not to travel.

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has even warned fans they could die if they make the trip.

The Foreign and Common-wealth Office website states: "We understand that every possible measure will be taken to prevent English fans from gaining access to the stadium even if they have a valid ticket. The FA has made clear that any England fan who attempts to gain access to the stadium risks being banned for life from obtaining tickets from the FA."

But Craig said: "I'll get a flight down there, with a friend of mine, and see how it looks. If it looks too dodgy I won't hang about, I'll be straight out of there."

Craig, a York City supporter, says he does not expect any problems getting a match ticket, and thinks they may even be available in Bodrum.

He said he had watched more than 30 England away games in 22 different countries.

He travelled to England's recent win in Macedonia, despite the FA not taking up its tickets.

He said: "It is a massive game and I really want to see it. I know I'll be looking over my shoulder a bit, but you nearly always are when you're away with England."

Craig, 44, said he had seen trouble while following England in Albania, Greece, Belgium, Italy, France and Holland.

He added: "You try and steer clear of it, but sometimes you get caught up in it. Jo was hit on the head by a policeman's truncheon while we were in Albania."

Asked what Jo thought of his plans, Craig said: "She just goes along with it."

The game has been identified as a potential flashpoint following a series of ugly clashes between English and Turkish football fans.

England were fined by UEFA after fans spilled on to the pitch when the two sides met at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, earlier this year.

Two Leeds fans were killed when fans clashed in Istanbul ahead of a UEFA Cup tie against Galatasary in 2000.

On the FA's website, Paul Barber, director of communications, urges fans not to travel.

He says: "Please do not put our country in a position where our players' and coaches' efforts are undermined by problems off the pitch. Please ensure we do not have to face the shame and indignity of expulsion from a major tournament. On behalf of The FA and all of the England players and coaches, please respect our request for England fans not travel to Istanbul."

Updated: 11:26 Wednesday, September 24, 2003