Drinking with Frank McAvennie

West Ham United 1 v Sheffield United 1

Premier League

Saturday 26 October 2019

SUFC 2019/20 Game 34

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London Stadium, the new home of West Ham United is the 233rd different ground I've seen a Sheffield United XI play on. I must have been about a dozen times before. But that's the first time for football & the first time with United. Unfortunately, I must be one of the only Blades yesterday who didn't have the standard script. You know. The script about it being a shit hole, soulless and lacking atmosphere. FFS, I'm an atheist. I don't even believe you and me have a soul. Let alone an architectural structure. Lighten up. I quite like the place. That lower tier behind the goal. You'll struggle to get a better view from a similar position anywhere in football. Absolutely A Grade.

Sure, the top tier, set way back is poor. But, it's a 60k stadium. You've got to pack a lot in a small space. You build UP. Or you build OUT. Or. If you're an aspiring London club. In an increasingly affluent & cosmopolitan city. You DON'T build. And, you fall behind. Yesterday, that's what a 60k stadium is. Deal with it.

The Carrier Bag Firm had some meet n greet obligations to fulfil. That meant the main drinking of the day was all about the handshakes & the back slapping. Rather than the beer. A big hello, we survived wave to all the young & old Hammerheads who welcomed us into the Leyton House Working Men's Club & Institute (in Leyton). Unfortunately, we were not able to use their minibus. Which (I understand) takes a ducking, diving, blagging route to get as near the turnstiles as possible. You'd barely know that club is there. Even as you walk past it on the side street. Discreet sign. Hidden door set back. Swipe your key card if you're a Member. Or, like us, ring the buzzer & take your chances. Buzzzzzzz. Buzzzzzz. And, we're in. First fella. Sporting a marvelous pair of Claret & Blue Adidas Gazelles.

"Welcome. Come in. There's some trays of sandwiches. Help yourself"

Signed West Ham & Leyton Orient shirts & memorabilia on the walls. No beer mats. Just West Ham themed coasters. Over the course of the day, mine included Frank Lampard Sr & Frankie McAvennie. Proper. No beer handles. The doable beer was Adnams Ghost Ship on keg at 4.5%. Broadly, that's OK as a session beer. Reminded me a bit of Shipyard Pale. Many. Many. Other West Ham punters piling chest deep into JagerBombs. We had a great day.

Just up the incline to Leyton tube is the Leyton Star. I had the Outstanding Beer Of The Day in there;

Orbit Beers, Peel, Belgian Pale on keg at 4.3%.

That was a very good beer. Great balance between the flavours off the yeast & off the Hops. Sugar bang on.

Speaking of scripts. Defend well. Tick. Miss a few chances. Ggggrrrrr. Concede. Regroup. Sub. Stay in the game. And……

Equalise.

Ten games gone now. A few downs. A long way to go. But, we're in this. See you at West Ham next year. Leyton House. Bottom tier. One of the stadiums we'll play in. Enjoy.

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