Tips for a visiting football fan?

[Quakes05]

...I'm bringing the family for our first and (quite likely) our only EPL match, on the 13th vs Manchester City. Any tips for a California fan? Who to keep an eye on, best food, beer etc., best local pub.

Also, what's the best transportation route for us, staying over by Trafalgar Square?

I'll have the wife and 10yo son along.

Thanks for any suggestions...

[claret50]

...I'm bringing the family for our first and (quite likely) our only EPL match, on the 13th vs Manchester City. Any tips for a California fan? Who to keep an eye on, best food, beer etc., best local pub.

Also, what's the best transportation route for us, staying over by Trafalgar Square?

I'll have the wife and 10yo son along.

Thanks for any suggestions...

Your best way of getting to the ground would be from the Embankment tube station, it's on the District line and will take you directly to the ground, you'll see loads of beggars in central London, don't give!! food's an individual thing, but there's every type of cuisine available in London, also there's possibly a greater selection of beer there than there is in California, if you can find a Greene King pub, don't go past a pint of Abbot ale, there is a pub right next to the ground called the Boleyn, and one called the Queens just outside Upton Park station, but with a 10yo, give them a miss, two pubs that I like are the Hammers in East Ham, and the Black Lion in Plaistow High road, both these pubs are a good 10-15mins walk from the ground, (I walk slow) Enjoy your visit mate.

[Quakes05]

Your best way of getting to the ground would be from the Embankment tube station, it's on the District line and will take you directly to the ground, you'll see loads of beggars in central London, don't give!! food's an individual thing, but there's every type of cuisine available in London, also there's possibly a greater selection of beer there than there is in California, if you can find a Greene King pub, don't go past a pint of Abbot ale, there is a pub right next to the ground called the Boleyn, and one called the Queens just outside Upton Park station, but with a 10yo, give them a miss, two pubs that I like are the Hammers in East Ham, and the Black Lion in Plaistow High road, both these pubs are a good 10-15mins walk from the ground, (I walk slow) Enjoy your visit mate.

cheers! thanks very much.

[El Toro]

I liked Ercan's (sp?) fish n' chips a few doors down from the West Ham shop. I did a search for it on the net and all I found was an archived "Big Soccer" post by ME :) I've been there twice, before both matches I've attended at UP.

[Footstomper]

Dont forget that travel on the london underground is free for american tourists as long as when leaving the station you use the code-phrase 'we saved your butts in 2 world wars you cockney pillocks'. Oh how they will laugh!
You will see the famous british bobby in their tit and nipple hats. Dont forget they are not real policemen, but more like public clowns. Knock their hats off with a match program ( available free at the station). As long as you accompany this activity with the traditional cry of 'Screw you copper!'; oh how they will laugh!
Dont forget that us east end chappies are friendly folk. It is therefore normal for a first time supporter to stand among the away supporters. Dont forget to make them feel especially welcome by singing 'bubbles' as loud as possible. Oh how they'll laugh!
After the game walk around the corner to Nathan's for their gourmet cuisine. Walk in, sit down and wait for their excellent service. Dont leave until you've tried their lobster. Its not written on the menu, because its a kind of in house secret, but dont leave without it. They will at first deny its existence, but sit fast and insist, and you will find yourself welcomed into the heart of the cheeky cockney community that is Upton Park

[Quakes05]

After the game walk around the corner to Nathan's for their gourmet cuisine. Walk in, sit down and wait for their excellent service. Dont leave until you've tried their lobster.

brilliant! I'm actually a Brit though...living here since I was 4yo. So, it won't all be unfamiliar. I did try once, in 98 to get to a match, dragging my poor wife all the way to Wembley to see Chelsea v. Middlesborough in Coca Cola cup final...thinking I could scalp tix, and sorely disappointed. This time, tix in advance...

Oh, and the lobster idea sounds marvelous...I'm sure that'll be our first stop!

Kidding aside, we are thrilled for the opportunity to check out football at this level. We sadly had our pro team (the San Jose Earthquakes - who incidently were playing the best ball in the country last year) shipped off to Houston (of all places) last year...a very bitter pill. So this stopover and watching WC06 will hopefully take some of the sting out.

:D

[Quakes05]

I liked Ercan's (sp?) fish n' chips a few doors down from the West Ham shop. I did a search for it on the net and all I found was an archived "Big Soccer" post by ME :) I've been there twice, before both matches I've attended at UP.

excellent! Proper fish n chip is definately on our to-do list! Thanks

[Footstomper]

excellent! Proper fish n chip is definately on our to-do list! Thanks
Ok go to the old spotted dog, I cant remember the address but someone else will (I mean the one in Plaistow, not barking). 12th century building, just about the oldest football club in the world, good food and great Irish music on (I think) a sunday. Also dont forget that legally kids are not allowed in pubs before they're 14. I blame Lloyd George. Many landlords dont bother with this rule and I think if food is involved anyone is allowed in

[claret50]

Ok go to the old spotted dog, I cant remember the address but someone else will (I mean the one in Plaistow, not barking). 12th century building, just about the oldest football club in the world, good food and great Irish music on (I think) a sunday. Also dont forget that legally kids are not allowed in pubs before they're 14. I blame Lloyd George. Many landlords dont bother with this rule and I think if food is involved anyone is allowed in

Are you referring to the old spotted dog in Upton Lane, Forest Gate? I don't recall one in Plaistow, the E7 one is 16th century and King Henry the 8th used to keep kennels there for his hounds, I've got a link to it somewhere.

[hammer_scout51]

Are you referring to the old spotted dog in Upton Lane, Forest Gate? I don't recall one in Plaistow, the E7 one is 16th century and King Henry the 8th used to keep kennels there for his hounds, I've got a link to it somewhere.


All these memories make me homesick. The Spotted dog in Upton Lane was a lovely pub which served a great meal. As Brian said it has a lot of history attached. My dad couldn't handle crowds and used to watch Clapton play in an old groung behind that pub. Used to get about 50 supporters but was a very famous Amateur league team early 20th century. Never been a great lover of pie and mash but that was a good fish and chip shop mentioned earlier. If you are into historical England and have time the Kings Head at Chigwell has Dickens connections. Enjoy yourself its a great experience. I lived just off Topanga canyon for a year and love California.

[West 'am 'till I die]

Dont forget that travel on the london underground is free for american tourists as long as when leaving the station you use the code-phrase 'we saved your butts in 2 world wars you cockney pillocks'. Oh how they will laugh!
You will see the famous british bobby in their tit and nipple hats. Dont forget they are not real policemen, but more like public clowns. Knock their hats off with a match program ( available free at the station). As long as you accompany this activity with the traditional cry of 'Screw you copper!'; oh how they will laugh!
Dont forget that us east end chappies are friendly folk. It is therefore normal for a first time supporter to stand among the away supporters. Dont forget to make them feel especially welcome by singing 'bubbles' as loud as possible. Oh how they'll laugh!
After the game walk around the corner to Nathan's for their gourmet cuisine. Walk in, sit down and wait for their excellent service. Dont leave until you've tried their lobster. Its not written on the menu, because its a kind of in house secret, but dont leave without it. They will at first deny its existence, but sit fast and insist, and you will find yourself welcomed into the heart of the cheeky cockney community that is Upton Park


hahahaha........ "screw u copper" I love it! but u gotta learn the welcome our freinds from Northern England with a cockney sing-song:

Manchester- full 'o shit
Manchester- full 'o shit

[EastHammer]

All these memories make me homesick. The Spotted dog in Upton Lane was a lovely pub which served a great meal. As Brian said it has a lot of history attached. My dad couldn't handle crowds and used to watch Clapton play in an old groung behind that pub. Used to get about 50 supporters but was a very famous Amateur league team early 20th century. Never been a great lover of pie and mash but that was a good fish and chip shop mentioned earlier. If you are into historical England and have time the Kings Head at Chigwell has Dickens connections. Enjoy yourself its a great experience. I lived just off Topanga canyon for a year and love California.


The spotted dog has closed down :(

The best place for food near the ground is oppsoite the station and just to the left down the hill away from the ground at Duncans pie and mash.

If your staying at trafalgur square, yes the embankment station is there, its a short hop down past st martins in the field and down villiers street, its about 4 quid to upton park

if your in London for a while it might be worth investing in an oyster card, you can register it and use it again , its like a prepaid card , you can top up.

just a bit of help as im in LA for the semis so quid pro quo !

[norwaytips]

The Spotted Dog closed?? Are they mad? What's happened to the football ground? I used to play for Clapton. Quick bath after the game and into the dog for a couple of pints. Happy days.

Otherwise, I agree with Claret..........Nice one Stomper. You must have read Never make love with a porcupine. :D

[Footstomper]

The spotted dog has closed down :(


This cannot be true, and I do mean the one in Upton Lane. You sure you're not talking abiout the one in Barking?

I demand confirmation from another quarter. Only a fool would let a pub like that go o-ut of business.

As for food eat indian. Where? Ask an indian!

[Footstomper]

The Spotted Dog closed?? Are they mad? What's happened to the football ground? I used to play for Clapton. Quick bath after the game and into the dog for a couple of pints. Happy days.

Otherwise, I agree with Claret..........Nice one Stomper. You must have read Never make love with a porcupine. :D
Wasnt, isnt, Clapton one of the oldest, if not the oldest club in the country?

[Footstomper]

Drive out to chippinig Ongar and see the oldest wooden structure in the world; the church. *th century and you0 can still the the artisans hammer blo=ws on the giant nails holdingi the thing t8ogether. Then drive to Abridge and have lunch in one of the many family friendly9 pubs there.
This is NOT a wind up. If I could do it tomorrow I would. After lu0ch you0 can have a great romantic stroll down the river bank while your 10n yr old puts slugs in his ears

[Footstomper]

The spotted dog has closed down :(

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/20/2026/Old_Spotted_Dog/Forest_Gate

[Quakes05]

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/20/2026/Old_Spotted_Dog/Forest_Gate

excellent! Thanks Footstomper. We'll check it out.

[claret50]

The Old Spotted Dog closed in January this year, sorry.:(
http://www.photopolis.co.uk/e7.htm

[norwaytips]

So am I Brian, so am I. :eek: