The perfect Match Day experience...

[GWGunner]

I'd like some tips from you guys on what to do to maximize my family's gameday experience when we are in London in a couple of weeks.

The five of us (myself, wife, 17 y/o niece, and 2 boys - ages 9 & 7) were lucky enough to get tickets to the season opener vs. Fulham on Aug 12.

I'm looking for specific advice on what you recommend doing on gameday.

We're staying in Kensington at the Holiday Inn. I figure we'll take the Tube down to the Arsenal station and walk to the stadium. Obviously, we'll have to meet up with Rick, I assume at Gunners Pub?

How early do fans start gathering in the pubs, etc. before a 12:00 game? Should we get inside the stadium real early so we can see the players warm up? How much time should we allow for crowds on the Tube & on the streets surrounding the stadium?

We're also meeting up with one of my mates from our soccer club here in Florida. Ironically, he's in London the same time and his brother lives in London and is an Arsenal season ticket holder. (My mate was a schoolboy with the Gunners in the 70's.)

Last time I was there, we hit the Gunners Pub for a few pints before the game. Is it ok to have the kids with me in there for a short while?

How would you plan your day???

Cheers...
GW

[Skizz]

I wake up, have a beer.

Get on the train, have a beer.

Get on the tube, have a beer.

Get to the Tavern, have several beers.

Get in the ground - no beer as its too expensive but I do text that number to get a free beer, don't always win though.

Get back to the Tavern, have several beers.

Go home, sleep.

All this is quite irrelevant but there's not really much you can do apart from the matchday ritual. You might want to get in the ground and watch the boys warm up, but you have to get some beers in before the match and mingle with the other Arse fans. I'd say people get to the pubs a couple of hours before the match.

[Bluto11]

i noticed that the crowd arriving to the matches I went to arrived a little later then the normal time we Americans do at sporting events. it might have something to do with not being able to drink beer in your seat.

anyways, if you've never been I would suggest getting to the ground like 20-30 minutes before kickoff instead of 5, just to have a look around. oh, and don't pass up the pub or hanging around in one. good atmosphere.

[KevTheGooner]

Rick will be sure to remind you that the tube lines are notoriously unreliable on weekends due to construction. You really can't leave early enough. Honestly, I'd leave at 8 or 8:30, get up there at 9-9:30, have a fry-up in the restaurant on 7 Sisters Road across from Finsbury Park tube/rail station (esp. since Rick is likely to be in the area, although maybe not that early), then head down the Arsenal Tavern on Blackstock Road for beers and meet-ups with the various travelling Gooners.

I've never yet been in early enough to see the warm ups. Drinking with old and new friends from around the world is much more fun! And I've always seen kids in the Arsenal Tavern. Especially once they open up the back there's plenty of room (i.e. the kids won't be getting squished, beer spilled on them, etc.).

[Bluto11]

getting there really early and getting some grub is a good idea.

[GWGunner]

Yeah, I figured I can't get there early enough.

Beer, beer, and more beer. Hope the kids can carry the old man home!

Rick's trying to get us into the family section...I've been trying to figure out which block this is in, to no avail. Anyone?

Thanks for the input so far......

Cheers,
GW

[Rick B]

Yeah, I figured I can't get there early enough.

Beer, beer, and more beer. Hope the kids can carry the old man home!

Rick's trying to get us into the family section...I've been trying to figure out which block this is in, to no avail. Anyone?

Thanks for the input so far......

Cheers,
GW

Don't worry - I failed................:( Quite annoying really, but there we go!!!!

Anyway you will get my PM soon re meet up time etc etc

[ArsenalTexan3]

Wake up around 9am.

10am: go and check email.

By 11am(depending on the location and direction where you are coming from); Get on the tube to the Arsenal stop. Once I get there walk out and survey the area. If some of the stalls are opened, I'll go and see what merch they have or go to one opf the shops. On this last trip(Emirates Cup) I ended up picking up to differents match pics(Bergkamp and RVP/£5 each), a signed picture of Tony Adams(£10), a Mad Jens shirt, and the 2002/04 pepsi cola away top(for only £15) from the vendors on the street. Also bought a few match programs to send back to a few folk I know. Head to the Tavern(or whatever pub is the meet up point). Plenty of places to get some quick food in before drinking. Get to the pub, drink, and have a good time.

2:15ish: Head to the stadium to take some pics(if it is your first time why not) and find the enterance. Take some mroe pics inside.

3pm: Go mental for Arsenal

Post match: Pub/get something to eat/hang out some more.

[KirbyNYC]

I think I might already know the answer to this, but I'll ask anyways. BTW, apologies GW for semi-thread jacking, but in concerns my "perfect match day experience" involving pictures. AND LOTS OF THEM. :D

Am I right to assume that larger, SLR-type cameras are not allowed in the stadium? Not a professional photographer (perhaps even amateur for that matter), but I do tend to take massive amounts of pictures when I travel. And being that the Emirates is a classic subject, I plan on taking images of the grounds, the fans, everything. I have a rather "bulkier" digital Nikon, but if its not allowed inside, might have to bring the compact.

[DallasGooner]

Am I right to assume that larger, SLR-type cameras are not allowed in the stadium? Not a professional photographer (perhaps even amateur for that matter), but I do tend to take massive amounts of pictures when I travel. And being that the Emirates is a classic subject, I plan on taking images of the grounds, the fans, everything. I have a rather "bulkier" digital Nikon, but if its not allowed inside, might have to bring the compact.

I have a Nikon D80 that I took with the kit 18-135 lens and the lady at the gate seemed to be debating about and I said I was not going to take pictures inside and she said "yes you are, just be careful about it" so it depends on who is at the gate. None of the stewards said anything to me about it. So you can risk it if you want.

[Rick B]

I have a Nikon D80 that I took with the kit 18-135 lens and the lady at the gate seemed to be debating about and I said I was not going to take pictures inside and she said "yes you are, just be careful about it" so it depends on who is at the gate. None of the stewards said anything to me about it. So you can risk it if you want.

The rules are that you are allowed to take pics when the game is not in play, but could get in trouble if you take if the game is in play. At the gate as Dallas said it really depends on who is at the gate. Basically if it is a bloke get your wife to hold the camera and play up the American tourist taking photos only when allowed and throw in Sir a few times and you will be fine.

[surfcam]

Since this seems to be an early match, go early and have a breakfast fry-up as Kev suggested. The Arsenal Tavern is where a lot of people will meet up.

Also, pay close attention to Rick's meet-up instructions and be early. Last season he had everyone meet next to a memorabilia and sweets stand outside of Arsenal station, so there will be plenty to do for you and the kids while you wait.

After the match, go to the pub and see if you can get a pass for the night!:D

[KirbyNYC]

Thanks for the info guys.

And cheers Dallas! That is one major camera! I guess if I risk it, I will definitely play the ignorant/innocent tourist card. Otherwise, it might be a job for the pocket Lumix.

[Detlef]

The rules are that you are allowed to take pics when the game is not in play, but could get in trouble if you take if the game is in play. At the gate as Dallas said it really depends on who is at the gate. Basically if it is a bloke get your wife to hold the camera and play up the American tourist taking photos only when allowed and throw in Sir a few times and you will be fine. And if you are in the section next to Sperz fans, and you take a photo of a Sperz fan giving you an obscene gesture, just tell the steward you are taking a photo of the ground. Worked for me ;)

[GWGunner]

Thanks for asking about the camera Kirby....it's something I was going to get around to asking myself, now I know!

I've got my meeting instructions from Rick also. The meeting place sounds similar to last years' instructions. I'm sure my kids will find plenty of memorabilia to spend their old man's money on while waiting to meet Rick.

Anyone know the name of the restaurant Kev is referring to for the fry-up?

Cheers,
GW

[Rick B]

Thanks for asking about the camera Kirby....it's something I was going to get around to asking myself, now I know!

I've got my meeting instructions from Rick also. The meeting place sounds similar to last years' instructions. I'm sure my kids will find plenty of memorabilia to spend their old man's money on while waiting to meet Rick.

Anyone know the name of the restaurant Kev is referring to for the fry-up?

Cheers,
GW

Did you come to a game last year?!! Can't recall your name although apologies if you did!!

The fry up place is called the Madeira Star. Go to Finsbury Park station. Follow the sign for station place to get out that entrance. Turn right and walk accross the main road. Turn left and walk over the road towards the Barclays Bank. Continue down the main road and it's about the 6th or 7th place on the left. Blue facade. Wooden floor.

Great fry up's!! From there it's about a 10 minute walk to the meet place.

[Shibby13]

I wake up, have a beer.

Get on the train, have a beer.

Get on the tube, have a beer.

Get to the Tavern, have several beers.

Get in the ground - no beer as its too expensive but I do text that number to get a free beer, don't always win though.

Get back to the Tavern, have several beers.

Go home, sleep.

All this is quite irrelevant but there's not really much you can do apart from the matchday ritual. You might want to get in the ground and watch the boys warm up, but you have to get some beers in before the match and mingle with the other Arse fans. I'd say people get to the pubs a couple of hours before the match.



That sounds about the same of what I did. Definitely go to the Tavern to meet up with Rick and the other fans on this board it's cool to put faces to names. Also good to go after the match to let the tube traffic die down and celebrate the victory.

[GWGunner]

Did you come to a game last year?!! Can't recall your name although apologies if you did!!

The fry up place is called the Madeira Star. Go to Finsbury Park station. Follow the sign for station place to get out that entrance. Turn right and walk accross the main road. Turn left and walk over the road towards the Barclays Bank. Continue down the main road and it's about the 6th or 7th place on the left. Blue facade. Wooden floor.

Great fry up's!! From there it's about a 10 minute walk to the meet place.

No, wish I had come up last year........I was referring to someone else's post about where you met them last year near the Arsenal Tube station.

We're planning on heading down to the Madeira Star early enough to meet up with you at the right time.

A few more questions:

1. How early is Madeira's open before the game?

2. Will memorabilia stands/shops be open early on game day? My boys want to get plenty of new Gunner gear before the match. (My oldest is devestated his Henry jersey is 'old' now! :rolleyes: )

3. I've been wanting to get an authentic Bergkamp jersey for a long time, this is my chance to get one. Are they available in the shops? Or are they only selling the current players?

4. Is it possible for my boys to meet up with any local kids for a kickaround? They've been asking, but I'm not sure if it could even be arranged.

5. My mate is leaving the States tomorrow, and wants me to give him a meeting place before the game (he's going with his brother who lives in London.) Isn't Arsenal Tavern right near our meeting place Rick? Is that the best place to meet up with him?

Thanks for the help.....

Cheers,
GW

[Shibby13]

2. The club shop is open, as well as stands around Arsenal tube station. There you can find scarves, t-shirts, programs, etc. The t-shirts are pretty funny as well and won't cost you much at all.

3. You can get Bergkamp on your shirt I believe. When you get a kit, they put the numbers on right in front of you so you might want to get there earlier so I would imagine the line might be pretty long. It might bet better just to go the day before the match to avoid a large crowd in the shop.

5. The Arsenal Tavern is close to the Arsenal tube stop, about a 5 minute walk when you turn left out of the station. On the corner of Blackstock and Gillespie I believe it is. Also it is also known as the "@ club" something which confused me at first.

[idiparker]

I assume you are at the HI Forum or HI Kennsington (they're both pretty near each other). That's the Gloucester Road tube stop and from there to Arsenal is almost exactly 30 minutes (I stay at a hotel near there--the ParkCity--which I highly recommend). You could go one more stop to Finsbury Park and then walk 'back' to the stadium. It would give you more of a feel of the surrounding environs than simple getting off at Arsenal, up to the pub, then back to the stadium.

I think a 'must' is to walk around the area surrounding Highbury and the Emirates. Buy some candy in a bag for a £1. Look at all the old jerseys for sale, and obscene Spurs t-shirts, and back issues of programs. See the police horses in their full riot-gear armor. Smell the 'meat patties' cooking on some unsanitary grill (but I swear you will vomit--guaranteed--if you try to eat one). Take in the sounds and smells of the game day, not just the sights.

Be sure to meet Rick at the pub and chat with him a bit. I think if you are early enough the kids won't be a problem, but if they are just hang outside for a bit. If Rick tells you a specific time -- be there at that time. You might not know but Rick literally has to run from pub to pub to collect tickets from this person and give them to that. It needs to run very smoothly or things foul up and get worse down the road for him and he misses the start of a game.

Let's see...your hotel is across from a Sainsburys grocery, so you'll be able to get some cheap snacks there (bagels, OJ, etc) rather than live off of the mini-bar. There is a BK and I think a Pizza the Hut there as well. There is a nice (chain) chicken place called 'Nandos' located just across the street from the Gloucester Road tube (and down a bit) right on the corner.

117 Gloucester Road
London, SW7 4ST

That's where Gloucester meets Harrington Road.

There is another chicken place down Harrington a few blocks (neither are just chicken, they offer other things, but both are clean and reasonable). Go down Harrington toward the East, past Queens Gate, and then about a block or two will be road called Bute Street. Lots of little stores and ice creams places and a small but popular restaurant called Rotiserre Jules. 6-8 Bute Street.

If you go the other way from your hotel towards Earls Court, you'll see that area has redeveloped quite nicely and there are a couple nice places to eat there as well (a Nandos, a Gourmet Burger place, and quite a few others).