villa-revolution Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 I've had a lot of fun following the Villa over the years & there once was a time many many moons ago when I would follow the Villa home & away religeously. In the seventies & early/mid 80's & in the immortal words of Danny Dyer a visit to a rival pub at an away ground really could be "pwoper Naughty" & I'm sure many of us have our own nightmare experiences instantly recountable. Fortunately the good news now though is that times have changed & many Villa fans I speak to these days regale me with tales of welcoming hospitality from trips to Newcastle where the locals are happy to entertain away fans in all the local haunts & Night Clubs in & around the Metro Centre. Believe you me that was definitely not the case when a handful of Villa fans (who bravely sneaked away from an escort of about 50) braved the Strawberry right outside St James' Park in 1977 & were only saved from a good kickin' from the welcoming committee by .PC 99 & his friendly Alsations. Coventry was also a bit tasty too, with no segregation & a pub whose name escapes me now that stood right outside the top part of the open end where fights would often kick off on it's Car Park much to the fascination & amusement of those observers safely ensconced inside the ground. And so to my point, what is the best/worst pub that you have ever visited whilst following The mighty Villa? For me, one of the worst pub experiences was at The Milestone Inn (supposed to be exactly 1 mile from The Hawthorns) in 1980- 81, ( Not sure if it still remains there today at all?) We drew 0-0. Anyway, the reason being that before the game 2 lads (Villa fans) were having an all day drinking competition here (both upto 18pts each) when one of them became extremely ill & threw up on my trousers when I & another lad we're trying to help him stand up after he had drunkenly fallen over & was lying all over the shop. The smell was horrendous & I stood in the Smethwick End absolutely reeking & constantly felt like heaving myself. My favourite Pub would have to be The Greyhound. Many of you should be familiar with it because it lies about 500 yds from Wembley Stadium & I have many happy memories of loads of Villa drinking & singing there before the Chelsea Villa Cup Final in 2000. So, cutting to the chase, where's the best away day boozer's ever for a great experience & where the natives are friendly & where are the one's to avoid like the plague for whatever reason's you so deem fit?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 (edited) My first away game took me to The Fenchurch at Blackburn, about 4 yes ago when it all kicked off outside. I was safely tucked inside the pub and it was cracking great atmosphere with songs being sung by all.. Weatherspoons in Manchester one game when we played city 2/3 yrs ago, half the pub city half villa, each set of fans taking it in turn to out sing each other. No fisticuffs just good banter. Everton away. No idea of the name but on the walk back after the game (where DB scored twice), we ventured into a random pub. Full of everton and only the three of us. Great laugh really hospitable to us, apart from jokingly threatened to feed us to the parrot that sat in corner saying fook off Edited May 3, 2013 by mikeyp102 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted May 3, 2013 Moderator Share Posted May 3, 2013 My first away game took me to The Fenchurch at BlackburnFearnhurst…. now shut on match days as its turned into some noncey carvery or some such nonsense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AValon Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Recall a big boozer at Peterborough that was rammed with Villa for a night cup game. Amidst the claret and blue throng there was two Posh fans, real old die-hards, who were sat at the bar (which they had probably done for the last 30 odd years) and were not budging for anyone. Needless to say they probably had the cheapest nights drinking ever and were pretty hammered come match time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamrob69 Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 (edited) - Edited January 17, 2014 by adamrob69 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islingtonclaret Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Best - Six Bells (I think?) at Fulham Worst - some grotty dump near Fratton Park I went to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 My first away game took me to The Fenchurch at Blackburn Fearnhurst…. now shut on match days as its turned into some noncey carvery or some such nonsense Thanks for the correction, knew it was something like that.. What a waste was a good boozer.. Probably changed after it all kicked off as mentioned above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abdulaziz1 Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 My first away day was against Arsenal two years ago .. One of the best games I ever attended ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Reading the other month, the only place we could find to get a drink pre game was Pizza Hut on the RP next to the ground. Cultured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan_007 Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Have always had a good drink / banter session at West Ham - QPR away was great too. I can't remember any of the pub names! Milwall was an experience!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hev Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 (edited) Don't make a habit of going drinking before the games really (like to look round shops insead) but whenever we go to Liverpool or Everton, we like to go to the Norman Frost for a drink and something to eat , which is a Wetherspoons - it always seems very friendly in there and very reasonable - usually a fair amount of Villa fans in there - even though full of the home fans. Have been to the famous Fernhurst though - they used to have a beer tent and food stall in the car park as well. Also, like a nice little Tea Shop near Fulham - for something nice to eat as well (can't remember what it's called) Used to love going to a specific cafe at Blackburn too - used to do a brilliant full breakfast there! Now could we have a thread of "where's the best shops to visit before a game" (there were some nice ones by the Doncaster ground a few years ago in the Cup - also like to mooch around the shops by Wigan - missed the shops at Bolton this year) I suppose I've gone well now Edited May 3, 2013 by Hev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa-revolution Posted May 3, 2013 Author Share Posted May 3, 2013 Don't make a habit of going drinking before the games really (like to look round shops insead) but whenever we go to Liverpool or Everton, we like to go to the Norman Frost for a drink and something to eat , which is a Wetherspoons - it always seems very friendly in there and very reasonable - usually a fair amount of Villa fans in there - even though full of the home fans. Have been to the famous Fernhurst though - they used to have a beer tent and food stall in the car park as well. Also, like a nice little Tea Shop near Fulham - for something nice to eat as well (can't remember what it's called) Used to love going to a specific cafe at Blackburn too - used to do a brilliant full breakfast there! Now could we have a thread of "where's the best shops to visit before a game" (there were some nice ones by the Doncaster ground a few years ago in the Cup - also like to mooch around the shops by Wigan - missed the shops at Bolton this year) I suppose I've gone well now Hev................Here's a couple of tips for you, watch out for Gordon Jackson in Finefare's & it's not true, it isn't all at the Co-op! Also, you'll never find a nice little tea house anywhere near small heath because they haven't got any cups! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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