Around the grounds... London edition

[Gassin's finest]

Chaps and Chapette's... a mate and I, being not indigenous to the city, are trying to do a tour of the footy grounds within the M25. Thought it'd be good to have a thread with people's thoughts on other clubs grounds, where best to sit, pre-match pubs/eats etc...

For example, we're going to try and make Craven Cottage our next stop, it being a nice little old fashioned ground, and something of a dying breed. Seems to sell out quite fast with it being of smaller capacity, so any advice on how "restrictive" their restricted view seats are?

So far we've stopped at Griffin Park and whatever Wimbledon AFC's little shed in Kingston is called.

 

[tiger666]

Chaps and Chapette's... a mate and I, being not indigenous to the city, are trying to do a tour of the footy grounds within the M25. Thought it'd be good to have a thread with people's thoughts on other clubs grounds, where best to sit, pre-match pubs/eats etc...

For example, we're going to try and make Craven Cottage our next stop, it being a nice little old fashioned ground, and something of a dying breed. Seems to sell out quite fast with it being of smaller capacity, so any advice on how "restrictive" their restricted view seats are?

So far we've stopped at Griffin Park and whatever Wimbledon AFC's little shed in Kingston is called.

Kingsmeadow

 

[Gassin's finest]

So last night a colleague of mine, who supports Charlton, asked me if I'd be up for a free game of football, as his son was unable to go to last nights home fixture to Huddersfield. Now I like football what ever shape or size, so I was happy to tag along with him and his usual mates to the match.

Now as most know, Charlton are currently rooted to the bottom of the Championship, almost certain to be playing in League 1 next season, and just sacked popular manager Chris Powell. The troubles this season it seems compounded by a new Belgian owner who also owns a few other clubs around Europe, including Standard Liege (currently bossing the Belgian league). However he has ruffled feathers by bringing in several youth players from his other teams and insisting they get played in Charlton's first team. Case in point, calamitous young keeper Hamer.

With the sacking of Powell, the owner has appointed the youth team coach of Liege as manager, is lining up the likely sale of many a first teamer with the view of cutting all costs and rebuilding from scratch in League 1. A dangerous ploy, seeing as the 3rd tier is arguably the toughest league of them all to get out of, and at the same time stay in.

The chaps I went to see the game with have all been watching Charlton for a good 40 years each. And yet after the pre-arranged 3rd minute chanting of Chris Powells name, two of these guys then left the ground in protest, along with a sizeable chunk of the support, and retired to the pub. There was such an air of dejection and resignation in the crowd, I don't think I've ever felt anything like it. A club whose support feel that they are being used for the business maneuverings of someone who has no respect for the club and it's ties to the community, and coming to terms with what could be a bleak few seasons to come.

Puts our "shambles" into perspective, when in reality we're actually a top club, with just a few prima-donna's and a manager finding his feet and yet STILL fighting for European qualification and one of the most profitable clubs in Europe.

 

[nailsy]

So last night a colleague of mine, who supports Charlton, asked me if I'd be up for a free game of football, as his son was unable to go to last nights home fixture to Huddersfield. Now I like football what ever shape or size, so I was happy to tag along with him and his usual mates to the match.

Now as most know, Charlton are currently rooted to the bottom of the Championship, almost certain to be playing in League 1 next season, and just sacked popular manager Chris Powell. The troubles this season it seems compounded by a new Belgian owner who also owns a few other clubs around Europe, including Standard Liege (currently bossing the Belgian league). However he has ruffled feathers by bringing in several youth players from his other teams and insisting they get played in Charlton's first team. Case in point, calamitous young keeper Hamer.

With the sacking of Powell, the owner has appointed the youth team coach of Liege as manager, is lining up the likely sale of many a first teamer with the view of cutting all costs and rebuilding from scratch in League 1. A dangerous ploy, seeing as the 3rd tier is arguably the toughest league of them all to get out of, and at the same time stay in.

The chaps I went to see the game with have all been watching Charlton for a good 40 years each. And yet after the pre-arranged 3rd minute chanting of Chris Powells name, two of these guys then left the ground in protest, along with a sizeable chunk of the support, and retired to the pub. There was such an air of dejection and resignation in the crowd, I don't think I've ever felt anything like it. A club whose support feel that they are being used for the business maneuverings of someone who has no respect for the club and it's ties to the community, and coming to terms with what could be a bleak few seasons to come.

Puts our "shambles" into perspective, when in reality we're actually a top club, with just a few prima-donna's and a manager finding his feet and yet STILL fighting for European qualification and one of the most profitable clubs in Europe.

Sounds like they are in big trouble. I'm not sure wht message walking out of the game does though? Surely it would be better to not attend at all so that it hits the gate receipts?

 

[Gassin's finest]

Sounds like they are in big trouble. I'm not sure wht message walking out of the game does though? Surely it would be better to not attend at all so that it hits the gate receipts?

The season ticket holders showed up merely to show their appreciation and thanks to Chris Powell, who remains very popular at Charlton from his playing days as well as managerial, before heading off to the battle cruiser.

 

[wearetheparklane]

Grosvenor Vale.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Trying to think of the London grounds I've done.

White Hart Lane (obviously)
Wembley (old and new)
Highbury
Upton Park
Craven Cottage
The Valley (old)
Plough Lane (old Wimbledon)
Stamford Bridge
The (old) Den
Selhurst Park
Griffin Park
Loftus Road

 

[Gassin's finest]

So, after the Lane I've so far been to:

Griffin Park
Kingsmeadow (thx @tiger666 )
The Valley
Old Wembley
Loftus Road (end of this month)

Gonna try a new one every month... might be leaving The Den to the end...