Attending my first EPL match. What do I need to know?
Aug 16, 2019, 12:44 am
#61
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Your game is on the Sunday. On the Saturday, how about going to Brentford v Derby? It’s a Championship games and a last chance to get to one of the real old school grounds (Griffin Park) left before it is demolished at the end of the year - it’s famous for having a pub at every corner!
There aren’t many other games in London that day (all the way down to Conference South level). Other games in London that day are:
Millwall v Hull (Championship - a fairly routine match, nothing to get excited about... Millwall’s fans are better behaved than they used to be, so you should probably escape without serious injury!).
Wimbledon v Wycombe (league 1... even as a Wimbledon fan who will be at this one, I wouldn’t suggest you subject yourself to it - we’re awful and Wycombe are the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there).
And 3 Premiershit games, but I imagine you’ve already checked these out:
Chelsea v Sheff Utd
Palace v Villa
West Ham v Norwich
There aren’t many other games in London that day (all the way down to Conference South level). Other games in London that day are:
Millwall v Hull (Championship - a fairly routine match, nothing to get excited about... Millwall’s fans are better behaved than they used to be, so you should probably escape without serious injury!).
Wimbledon v Wycombe (league 1... even as a Wimbledon fan who will be at this one, I wouldn’t suggest you subject yourself to it - we’re awful and Wycombe are the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there).
And 3 Premiershit games, but I imagine you’ve already checked these out:
Chelsea v Sheff Utd
Palace v Villa
West Ham v Norwich
Aug 16, 2019, 1:46 am
#62
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G
Aug 16, 2019, 3:52 am
#63
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Your game is on the Sunday. On the Saturday, how about going to Brentford v Derby? It’s a Championship games and a last chance to get to one of the real old school grounds (Griffin Park) left before it is demolished at the end of the year - it’s famous for having a pub at every corner!
There aren’t many other games in London that day (all the way down to Conference South level). Other games in London that day are:
Millwall v Hull (Championship - a fairly routine match, nothing to get excited about... Millwall’s fans are better behaved than they used to be, so you should probably escape without serious injury!).
Wimbledon v Wycombe (league 1... even as a Wimbledon fan who will be at this one, I wouldn’t suggest you subject yourself to it - we’re awful and Wycombe are the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there).
And 3 Premiershit games, but I imagine you’ve already checked these out:
Chelsea v Sheff Utd
Palace v Villa
West Ham v Norwich
There aren’t many other games in London that day (all the way down to Conference South level). Other games in London that day are:
Millwall v Hull (Championship - a fairly routine match, nothing to get excited about... Millwall’s fans are better behaved than they used to be, so you should probably escape without serious injury!).
Wimbledon v Wycombe (league 1... even as a Wimbledon fan who will be at this one, I wouldn’t suggest you subject yourself to it - we’re awful and Wycombe are the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there).
And 3 Premiershit games, but I imagine you’ve already checked these out:
Chelsea v Sheff Utd
Palace v Villa
West Ham v Norwich
I am leaning toward Griffin Park. That does sound like a more unique experience, stadium wise, then The Den.
Though I am intrigued by "the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there", as that sounds like a great football experience as well....
Any insight into which section of Griffin Park I should sit in? Looks like tickets are on general sale now, so will likely grab one later today.
Thanks to everyone for the info and ideas.
Aug 16, 2019, 4:07 am
#65
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Sounds like a plan! There are lots of decent pubs around Bermondsey and I know quite a few of them (thanks to the beer crawls with the lads from head office up in London) so let me know if you need any suggestion. Going back to football, the atmosphere at The Den (Millwall's football ground) may not be as 'tense' as back in the days but still amongst the best in the Country I would say (I'm a Blackburn fan and visited quite a few over the years).
G
G
Cheers.
Aug 16, 2019, 5:33 am
#67
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This is great stuff. Thanks.
I am leaning toward Griffin Park. That does sound like a more unique experience, stadium wise, then The Den.
Though I am intrigued by "the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there", as that sounds like a great football experience as well....
Any insight into which section of Griffin Park I should sit in? Looks like tickets are on general sale now, so will likely grab one later today.
Thanks to everyone for the info and ideas.
I am leaning toward Griffin Park. That does sound like a more unique experience, stadium wise, then The Den.
Though I am intrigued by "the biggest bunch of diving, cheating, time-wasting, cynical sods out there", as that sounds like a great football experience as well....
Any insight into which section of Griffin Park I should sit in? Looks like tickets are on general sale now, so will likely grab one later today.
Thanks to everyone for the info and ideas.
https://www.footballgroundguide.com/...tml?expand=all
Aug 16, 2019, 10:48 am
#69
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Just snagged a great seat for the Brentford v Derby County match at Griffin Park. Thanks again to the great FT community for lending your opinions and expertise.
And will have plenty of time to wander about Tottenham area the next day to check out some local pubs for that match as well.
COYS !
And will have plenty of time to wander about Tottenham area the next day to check out some local pubs for that match as well.
COYS !
Aug 17, 2019, 2:39 am
#71
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Incidentally, West Ham v Norwich was mentioned as a possibility upthread - up until a couple of days ago tickets were apparently still available in home areas (the away allocation sold out in less than 45 minutes), so a reasonable option to see a Premier League game.
I think that’ll be a decent game - Brentford have played very attractive football for the whole of their time in the Championship, and I’d think Derby will be the same even with a change in manager. I too like Griffin Park - it’ll be sadly missed when it’s gone.
Aug 17, 2019, 5:29 am
#72
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Aug 18, 2019, 1:50 am
#73
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I’ve been at Palace with the mighty Rovers from the North quite a few times and don’t think it’s that bad. But then I’m guessing you’ve never been to places like Blundell Park (nothing better than a grim Tuesday night at Grimsby...), Turf Moor or that s***hole of Luton’s Kenilworth Road...?
G
There are worst away experiences than Selhurst, but i can’t think of many in London - perhaps QPR in some of the upper deck seating, and the attitude of the stewards there does evoke similarities with Palace (although both are improved).
Kenilworth Road is certainly, err, unique though. Now Filbert Street is gone, I don’t think there’s any grounds left where you effectively enter through a terraced house, and to be greeted by the sight of someone’s underwear hanging out to dry afterwards is definitely the icing on the cake ...
Aug 18, 2019, 4:26 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Cracking! I think the Baseball Ground in Derby was able to replicate such ‘experience’ but that’s also a distant past now and which, in all honesty, I happen to miss (and I can assure that’s not because we’re now a mediocre Championship side as opposed to the the Shearer-&-Sutton’s glory days!) 
G
Aug 18, 2019, 6:35 am
#75
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I’d venture that our current offering at Kingsmeadow is worse in many respects for away fans, however - a very shallow terrace on the side of the pitch which means that 1/3 of the pitch is not easy to see unless you’re very tall. Thankfully, almost 30 years since we left, we’re heading back to Plough Lane soon...
York City, Bristol Rovers and Accrington Stanley all come to mind as “fun” away days in the pouring rain - all open terraces (York also has open toilets, well a wall with a drain).