Steady 4:59 Thu Feb 2
Matchday Advice
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Now as I know you're all really helpful ....... Bit of advise, hints, tips etc please. I'm bringing my 9 year old boy to his first ever match this month, I've been trying to pick a game we stand half a chance of at least scraping a draw so I've been limited regarding fixtures !!, however I've got us 2 tickets for Forest at home. I'm ex Leytonstone/Canning Town however have lived in the South West for the past 20 years so I've only been to the bowl once (first league match home to Bournemouth) in 2016.
We're arriving at Hammersmith. What's the best/easiest station to use? how long does it take to get to the ground? best places to go for food/drink? any other tips etc to make it a memorable day? Thanks in advance you *****
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Steady
3:17 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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Cheers Branded and Wils, much appreciated
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BRANDED
2:33 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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Steady
Out of Hackney Wick there's a bunch of places that do food and beer. Otherwise, go to Stratford and head into Westfield as there's all your typical and some less typical food there.
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Wils
2:18 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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Steady 4:59 Thu Feb 2
I live out Hammersmith way so do that journey regularly. There are a few options to get there, one of the best would be to walk or tube it to Shepherd's Bush overground and get a train to Hackney Wick or Stratford (about 40 mins.) Or get the Central line from across the road to Stratford (about 30 mins),
If your boy doesn't get into town much he might prefer the overground from Shepherd's bush as you get quite a few views across London as you make you way over and if you stay on it into Stratford he will get a view of the stadium as you pull in. But the walk from Hackney Wick is less arduous and quicker in my opinion.
Going via Hackney Wick saves you from going near Westfield shopping centre and there are couple of places you east and drink near the canal. You can grab a burger or hot dog (and a beer) outside the ground. Unless you prefer the more upmarket stuff in the shopping centre.
If you want better seats I may have two in the lower Trevor Brooking several rows back from the corner flag. DM if you're interested.
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roltrader
12:30 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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Buy him a Man City kit and save him from a lifetime of pain and misery. HTH.
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Steady
12:25 Fri Feb 3
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Lol, I’m about as close to being a police officer as you are a millionaire. Check my WHO id number and posts, best undercover agent ever if I’ve been on this site for 10 years+ to now ask what’s the best food place to eat at :-)
My arrest rate is matching Reg Hollis
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Come On You Irons
12:21 Fri Feb 3
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Good morning officer.
Anyone smell BACON?
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Steady
12:03 Fri Feb 3
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Coach but cow!!! Spell check, then again we are coming up from Somerset so you never know
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Steady
12:03 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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Thanks for the replies so far. Getting a cow xxx up to Hammersmith, going to be a long day for him but he’ll love it. We’re in the Bobby Moore stand upper block 250, doesn’t look the greatest of seats but it’s all sold out so I was lucky to get 2 together.
Will be a bit different from my first match. That was a trip to Duncan’s pie n mash opposite Upton Park tube, sweets from Rosie’s newsagents opposite Ken’s cafe and then to the luxurious club shop (old portacabin)
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Vonster
11:28 Fri Feb 3
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If youre driving down from the West you can park easily at one of the outer central line stations like Greenford to go to Stratford on one train. Alternatively you can get the overground to Hackney Wick from South Acton.
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yngwies Cat
10:39 Fri Feb 3
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Hope he's a great time.
Remember he'll spend the rest of this life cursing you for bringing him up as a hammer 😉
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martyboy
9:42 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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Try to get down to the barges early doors, think you need to get some sort of invite. Not sure how you get one??
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Rossal
9:27 Fri Feb 3
Re: Matchday Advice
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From Hammersmith go up to White City and get the central line to Stratford or up to Paddington and new Elizabeth line through to Stratford
Abbey Tap is a good place pre match if Carpenters is too busy, got the early KO on in there and can still walk round past carpenters and through the tunnel etc
If you're in the east stand then from behind the goal to my block 132 is standing all game
Hope he has a great time
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Charoo
9:13 Fri Feb 3
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If it’s a full day out just get into Stratford early, come out the station, go up the stairs and walk up to shake shack, burgers, fries milkshake, walk down to the ground, go to the shop get him a scarf or something to remember the first game, get a beer outside and him a drink by the Heineken bar.
Then get in the ground about 40 mins before kick off, let him walk down to pitch side and watch the players come out for their warm up - you see them up close then and it all feels more real.
Then up to your seats 10 mins before kick off, save faffing about not knowing where your going but make sure he has a piss first to try get through the first half.
If you want a more authentic experience, go to Stratford high street, walk down to the carpenters, couple of beers, burger from belly busters, walk through the tunnel and shout Irons as loud as you can then walk up to the ground.
My 6 year old only ever wants to go through Stratford high street so he can shout in the tunnel.
As for where to sit, East Stand is generally good with kids from mid to upper seats, can get in and out the ground easier too.
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Steady
2:03 Fri Feb 3
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That’s right El Scorchio, freezing cold, sat up in the West Upper with my new claret and blue cap and scarf. I’ve still got the programme
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El Scorchio
1:53 Fri Feb 3
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Steady 1:43
Unbelievably, that was my first game too. Cottee scored and Geoff Pike was on the cover of the programme, right?
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Steady
1:43 Fri Feb 3
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He loves football, is West Ham mad and has been asking to go to a match for ages. Can’t wait to surprise him and let him know we’re going. I remember my old man taking me to my first game when I was 8, (21st Jan 1984 vs WBA - won 1-0), I want to make it a great visit as none of us ever forget our first match
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Marston Hammer
1:19 Fri Feb 3
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Sorry for hijacking this thread but saves me starting one of my own.
Bringing my boys to their first game soon (ages 7 and 9). What’s the best part of the ground to get tickets in?
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BRANDED
1:04 Fri Feb 3
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Does he like walking? What food does he like?
Does he like football?
Good luck
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Jasnik
12:52 Fri Feb 3
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Good to see taking your own and not trying to borrow one as that never ends up well.
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Pub Bigot
5:03 Thu Feb 2
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If you're going to and from the ground, I recommend Pudding Mill Lane DLR station to/from Bow Church. It means you avoid the Stratford madness, and it's a 5-minute walk to the ground.
Once you're back in Bow, it's a 10/15 minute walk to Bow Church or Mile End station or a short bus ride.
I hope mini Steady enjoys his day.
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cup of tea
5:01 Thu Feb 2
Re: Matchday Advice
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TFL
McDonald's
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