Seeing matches at other clubs in London

[idiparker]

I thought I'd start a thread like this since it often comes up with people who are over in London. "What other games can I see in London?" Chances are that if you are in London for a Saturday game, someone, somewhere, will be home Friday or Sunday so consider making it a football weekend.

Here is a report on some places I've seen matches:

West Ham--Upton Park
They play at Upton Park (which is not the West Ham tube stop, but a different one). It's a pretty big stadium, and generally not that tough to get tickets to. The Main, West Stand is the most recently developed if I recall and has the most features. The East Stand is a bit of a shack, and then there is behind the goals.

A few notes:
*The area around there is pretty interesting. Lots of Pakistanis and a few chip shops.
* There are horrible line for the tube, and the lines start down the side street of the station (i.e. not down the high street in front). Follow the crowds after the game. Many are running for a reason.
* Consider the Jubillee Line and then transfer over to the line that goes to Upton Park. Can save you some time as fewer stops then going direct from Central London.

Fulham--Crave Cottage
Haven't been in awhile. The away stand is open to the elements (no roof) last I checked. Near a couple of tube stations in Central area so not tough to get too, and I think tickets are easy enough to get except for big games. Stadium is kind of a dive though. Wasn't that impressed.

Chelsea--If you get forced...

Believe it or not, it's not tough to get a ticket to Chelsea. They often don't sell out. Be wary of the lower...ummm...West Stand I think, as the seats there are obstructed by the upper deck. The East (I'm confused) is the newest stand...

* Lots to do in the area around Chelsea--nice stores, but a bit sterile.

QPR--Loftus Road

This is a favorite of mine, and not just because I have a soft spot for QPR, but because Loftus Road is a 'fun' intimate stadium to see a game. You can literally reach out an touch a player on the touch line. Tickets are rarely sold out (check ahead). You really feel a part of the game. White City and Shepards Bush Tube. Area is redeveloping into nicer places. Not far from Central London.

I should also note that QPR fans hate Chelsea, and are ambivilant (generally) toward Arsenal or closet Arsenal supporters. No real bad blood now as far as I can tell.

* Close to Central London
* Real intimate lower division feel
* Seats are small--long legs will be scrunched

Brentford--Griffin Park(?)

Very small stadium where sit where you want seating more or less. Not on the tube so you have to take BRail or a Cab from the tube station. Middle of a neighborhood with no real High Street nearby. Only been once (but was a good game) and fans were pretty chatty.

[Bluto11]

QPR--Loftus Road

This is a favorite of mine, and not just because I have a soft spot for QPR, but because Loftus Road is a 'fun' intimate stadium to see a game. You can literally reach out an touch a player on the touch line. Tickets are rarely sold out (check ahead). You really feel a part of the game. White City and Shepards Bush Tube. Area is redeveloping into nicer places. Not far from Central London.

I should also note that QPR fans hate Chelsea, and are ambivilant (generally) toward Arsenal or closet Arsenal supporters. No real bad blood now as far as I can tell.

* Close to Central London
* Real intimate lower division feel
* Seats are small--long legs will be scrunched


got tickets the day of the match to Loftus Road. just took the Tube over in the morning and got them from the ground. Went with GP and muradom. atmosphere was really lacking (which goes against everything I've heard) the loudest noise were the 10 year old behind us screaming "come on you RRRRRRRRRRRRRs". liked the ground though, even if the view was blocked by some thin columns. Leicester City won on an offsides goal (i know because the player was lined directly up with me when the ball was kicked!)

sat in the Ellerslie Road stand and didn't sample any of the pubs nearby, but The Springbok on South Africa Rd (on the way from the White City Tube stop to the ground) looked like the place to have a beer.

[idiparker]

Went with GP and muradom. atmosphere was really lacking (which goes against everything I've heard) the loudest noise were the 10 year old behind us screaming "come on you RRRRRRRRRRRRRs". liked the ground though, even if the view was blocked by some thin columns.

It can be lacking if the game isn't very good. When it is loud it does shake a bit, especially if you are nearer the Loft end which is where their loudest supporters hang (you have to be in the supporters club to sit in there).

[Bluto11]

It can be lacking if the game isn't very good. When it is loud it does shake a bit, especially if you are nearer the Loft end which is where their loudest supporters hang (you have to be in the supporters club to sit in there).
yeah, we were on the other end. match was 1-1 after 10 minutes and then ended 3-2 Leicester, with the rest of the goals coming in the last 10 minutes. good 1st 10 and last 10, crap in the middle!

[Achtung]

Went to Craven Cottage last season to watch Sunderland-Fulham. First experience in a smaller stadium, roughly the size of your average MLS soccer-specific park. Thought it had a certain old-timey feel to it, and I liked it. Fairly spartan environment--other than the sideboards, it could've been a match from 25 years ago. But it was fun, no bad seats that I could see, and nice to get the "come on Fulham" and "come on you Whites" chants going. Only wish McBride had scored.

[pookspur]

... But it was fun, no bad seats that I could see, ...

you clearly weren't sitting deep in the stevenage road stand, then. ;)

it's a wonderful old stand - an archibald leitch classic. fenway- or old commiskey-type architectural feel (for us americans), circa 1905. but the columns can be very imposing.

i'm glad to have been able to sit there, but next time i'm at the cottage, it'll likely be in another stand.

while i'm here, i'll thow in my two cents on a couple of others. loftus road is great, in my book. as far as atmosphere goes, i've seen it dire on a cold, wet tuesday night, and i've seen it brilliant on a sunny saturday four-goal afternoon. either way, a qpr match gets my full endorsement. a proper football ground.

i'll also give an endorsement to the valley. charlton athletic have a reputation for being a 'friendly club', and it's well-earned. if any of you fellas are old enough to remember when customer service representatives were friendly and genuinely interested in being helpful, it's kind of like that. atmosphere waxes and wanes with the fortunes of the team, and that doesn't bode well these days; but when they're playing well, the valley can be pretty good.

then, of course, there's the best atmosphere in all london up in N17. proper stadium, too. may not be first choice for folks on these boards, however. ;)

[Achtung]

you clearly weren't sitting deep in the stevenage road stand, then. ;)

it's a wonderful old stand - an archibald leitch classic. fenway- or old commiskey-type architectural feel (for us americans), circa 1905. but the columns can be very imposing.

i'm glad to have been able to sit there, but next time i'm at the cottage, it'll likely be in another stand.

Still got the ticket--Stevenage Road Stand Upper Tier. :)

Luckily the columns weren't much of a problem for me where I was sitting. But I can see how they could be for others.

[pookspur]

Still got the ticket--Stevenage Road Stand Upper Tier. :)

Luckily the columns weren't much of a problem for me where I was sitting...

no kidding? you were fortunate.

... But I can see how they could be for others.

yeah. after my first trip to the cottage (a last-minute decision), when i had a column right in front of me, i made certain to order my next ones in front of the columns (still wanted stevenage road). and then, when i got there, there were two people sitting in our seats - with tickets identical to ours! an usher came up and resolved the situation by taking us to two different seats, futher up. naturally, the result was a column right in the middle of each box. nice.

i'm sure most seats in the stand aren't so bad, but with fifteen- or twenty- thousand other options around the ground, i won't be finding out. :o

[Lanesra]

you clearly weren't sitting deep in the stevenage road stand, then. ;)

it's a wonderful old stand - an archibald leitch classic. fenway- or old commiskey-type architectural feel (for us americans), circa 1905. but the columns can be very imposing.

i'm glad to have been able to sit there, but next time i'm at the cottage, it'll likely be in another stand.

while i'm here, i'll thow in my two cents on a couple of others. loftus road is great, in my book. as far as atmosphere goes, i've seen it dire on a cold, wet tuesday night, and i've seen it brilliant on a sunny saturday four-goal afternoon. either way, a qpr match gets my full endorsement. a proper football ground.

i'll also give an endorsement to the valley. charlton athletic have a reputation for being a 'friendly club', and it's well-earned. if any of you fellas are old enough to remember when customer service representatives were friendly and genuinely interested in being helpful, it's kind of like that. atmosphere waxes and wanes with the fortunes of the team, and that doesn't bode well these days; but when they're playing well, the valley can be pretty good.

then, of course, there's the best atmosphere in all london up in N17. proper stadium, too. may not be first choice for folks on these boards, however. ;)

not in London but Cardiffs great,you'll have to take my word for it Pook:)

[pookspur]

not in London but Cardiffs great,you'll have to take my word for it Pook:)

yup, 'cause it's back in wembley this year. ;)

[mixmastermatt]

You have forgotten Charlton, Crystal Palace, Watford, Sp*rs (it still premiership football), Barnet, Leyton Orient, Millwall... there are loads, you got tons to go to. Outside of London you have St Albans of the Vauxhall confrence and Stevenage also of the Vauxhall confrence.

[Shibby13]

Grounds I have been to

Stamford Bridge
Well the atmosphere was electric but I'm afraid all the noise came from us(the Arsenanl fans). Also considering it was A Hole's first game against us and that added to the atmosphere. Not a bad area-pretty nice but the Chelsea support is sh**.

Loftus Road
I have a soft spot for Fulham since they were the first team I saw live in England when they were playing at Loftus Road. Loftus Road was a great place to watch a game I was 4th row and felt very close to the action. Great place to watch a game-much better than Craven Cottage.

Craven Cottage
Pretty dismal atmosphere there but it is right along the Thames and it is a very nice stadium. Not a bad day or night out and the area around the ground is nice. Good to see all the Americans playing there now also.

The New Den-Millwall
I have a soft spot for Millwall and have been too this ground on a few occasions and I actually like it. Pretty terrifying to go in at first but if the team is playing well and the crowd is big enough then it can be a good atmosphere. Just don't get caught wearing the other club's colors. Get off at New Cross Gate tube and it is about a 10-15 minute walk.


Obviously none of these compared to the Emirates but all can be a good day out if you have spare time and want to catch another match.

[RightFoot]

Has anyone been to Brisbane Road to see Leyton Orient? One of the days I will be in London, they are playing a match and I was interested in seeing it. I'm not familiar with the atmosphere there, though.

[GWGunner]

Thanks for the link to this thread idi....

We get into London on Aug 10, so I might try to make my way over to Upton Park to try for tix for their season opener on Aug 11.

[carw2005]

To keep things Arsenal I would recommend a trip to Barnet's Underhill to watch the reserve team. It wont cost you anything, youll get to freeze your arses off standing up in the terraces, and also with Arsenals history on the injury list some reserve game have half a dozen first teamers in them. :o its also not unusual to see Wenger or David Dein (well maybe not anymore!) at the reserve fixtures.

So remember all travelling Gooners keep your eyes on both the Reserves fixtures list and the Arsenal injury list!:D

Youll also have a chance of a autograph and photo of the players when they jump off of the bus.

[Schu419]

Anyone know if there is any football at all going on in London on Monday, August 6th? I have a 15 hour layover at Heathrow, and need some stuff to do.

Any London clubs playing? Can I go watch reserve training or something?

Maybe I'll just visit Highbury and take an Emirates tour.

[Frankgarrison]

Friendlies that day:

Cambridge v Leicester 19.45
Wycombe v Bristol City 19.45

[Schu419]

Friendlies that day:

Cambridge v Leicester 19.45
Wycombe v Bristol City 19.45

thanks! Unfortunately for me, those games start in hour 14 of my 15 hour layover. Much too close for comfort. I'll have to figure something out.

[Suckafree]

I'm looking for some feedback:
I'm in London the sept 30-Oct 6
No Arsenal home games while I'm here, no EPL games in London either that I would ever pay to see (Sp*rs). There are a few championship games;

On Oct 6 Charlton v Barnsley & Crystal Palace v Hull of those two which would people that have been to either stadium suggest.

The other game that intrigues me is Watford v Sheffield Wednesday on Oct 2, but Arsenal has a CL match that night in Romania.

So do I watch Arsenal @ the pub & go to one of the Saturday matches or do I go see two Americans play live?

[Jeff L]

Although this isn't the "pro game", but within sight of Leyton Orient's floodlights, I would recommend going to Hackney Marshes on a Sunday morning from 10.30am onwards to see football at "grass roots" level. Teams of all abilities, players of all creeds, colours and religions, and "football at its finest". ;)
This is where it all began for many a London player (and referee) who made it to the top. Everything that goes on in football goes on at Hackney Marshes.
In its heyday8, over 111 pitches laid out, and the most in Europe. Not quite as many nowadays, but for the "first timer" still something to mark off in the diary as "Places to go to" from a football perspective.