gabebash

We're going to be in London next April, and my son, who is a big soccer fan (and player) has requested we get tickets to a game while we're there. I've been researching and have come up with two possibilities: Tottenham vs. Chelsea or Fulham vs. Birmingham, both on April 3. I'd appreciate any guidance as to which might be the better game to see, as well as the easiest to get to. We'll be staying at Scala House near the Goodge St. tube. Many thanks!

emjoy

wow you'll probably get a lot of 'opinions' on what would be the best game to see, mine included: too bad you won't see an Arsenal game.
I thought I'd stay out of the debate on what team/game will be more enjoyable to see and just mention that Chelsea have a webcam now. So if you get tickets to the Chelsea match, your son can build up the excitement by regularly checking in to watch it on camvista.com
http://www.camvista.com/sports/football/chelsea01.php3

AR

Without doubt, Spurs v Chelsea is the better game but you'd find tickets cheaper and easier to get for the other game.

Koshka

Be prepared for a LOT of partisan fans (be careful of the colors you wear outside the stadium) if you choose Chelsea/Hotspurs.

I've attended two Manchester United matches, the first in the 70s and the last three years ago. I loved it! But it was pretty wild.

oweno

I'd vote for the Spurs v Chelsea match as well. If you don't have success getting tix for a Premier League match you can also find quite a few 1st & 2nd Division games around greater London. I saw Crystal Palace v Fulham (before they moved up) and it was great. Good luck.

flanneruk

The answer's depressingly predictable, I'm afraid.

On current form, Chelski (as it's now universally known) vs Spurs will be the more important game. Its new owner is pouring money into new signings.

However London derbies (as we call matches between teams close to each other) are almost always sell-outs. Expect to pay serious money to a tout if you really want to get to it.

Fulham v B'ham City belongs to a quite different, and not even parallel, universe. Getting tickets should be a lot easier.

But it's nearly a year away. Fulham might learn to play football, for example.

Most importantly, London derbies seldom throw up really good football. I'd risk it with Fulham. Or follow Oweno's advice.

AR

Flanneruk - Are Fulham playing at Loftus Road this season? Nice to see a good Swansea boy as a manager!

gabebash

I know my son would love to see Manchester United, but since that isn't possible he'll have to settle for one of these. So, what colors should we wear or avoid for either of these games? Also, you hear a lot about fans getting out of control at some games. Should I be concerned about that for either of these games? My son will be almost 15 when we go, if that makes any difference. Thanks again.

Koshka

Chelsea's colors are bright blue and white; Spurs colors are (I think) a paler blue and white with red trim.

How about green??? ;-)

Honestly, I think soccer hooliganism is fairly rare now at the matches, tho they do still keep the opposing fans cordoned off.

Folks are generally cheerful and helpful, tho I'd stay away from the local pubs after the match. IT HAS CHANGED CONSIDERABLY since they made all the fans sit.

If you'd like to scare socks off about soccer hooligans, read Bill Buford's excellent reportage in "Among the Thugs."

hsv

Read also: Nick Hornby: "Fever Pitch"!!!!!- the ultimate book to describe football fan's feelings!
regards
hsv

david_west

A spurs fan (and season ticket holder) here.

You will find it impossible to get tickets for THFCvCFC on the open market - it's a *very heated* derby.

A ticket from a scalper will be at least £75, more like £100+, last year they were going for £150+

Also, THFC V CFC is a category one game as defined by the police. This means that there WILL be violence. However the casual fan will not be at serious risk, but there are pubs and places, and styles of dress* to avoid.

Fulham v Birmingham, on the other hand, will be easy to get tickets for and could well have the added edge of being a relegation dogfight.

*it's amazing how on this forum eventually it always comes down to appropriate dress!

Koshka

david_west, ain't that the truth??

Thanks for info from someone who knows!!

How's Teddy Sherringham (sp?) doing?

AR

Teddy's doing so well he now plays for Portsmouth!

Koshka

oh pooh!

Is Portsmouth in the Premiereship? or one of the lower divisions?

Al_Mo

Yep!! probably with the majority in picking the Chelski match - although those derby games always seem to fail their billing. If your stuck on that day be aware that sometimes the match may move to a Sunday - if Sky Sports think it will be a great draw for the telly viewers.
Probably hard to get tickets, but it will be the better match!! unless you want to go and see WEST HAM!!!

soccr

Okay, from the point of view of an American who got to see a Manchester United vs. Juventus "demonstration" game (i.e., it didn't count toward any standings) in the US, I can say the partisanship rivals anything I've ever seen in a US hockey game, although it's certainly more musical!

I invite all European football (soccer) fans to correct me or add to what I'm about to say, by all means! But it seemed to me there are a goodly number of "fans" who are mainly there to sing, almost regardless of the action. I mean, we certainly could count on a number of rounds of "Ref's a Bastard" (sung to "Clementine&quot after a call that went against United. But what was all that silly singing about "scones and mackerel"?? ;-)

I will say, however, it was a relief that no one wanted to sing "Cotton-Eyed Joe," one of the most annoying songs ever inflicted on a captive bunch of sports fans.

Then there's the mob-mood as we left the stadium -- much amplified by the beer. Have to wonder what it would have been like if United had lost and it had been a championship or "cup" game.

Gabebash - and son -- have a great time! It's great to visit a country where people don't think you are either eccentric or an effete yuppy if you love the game.

AR

Songs are always sung at football matches, but if you think they're not watching the game then wait until the ref makes a stupid decision and their reactions are instantaneous!
Each teams have their "signature tunes" such as "We're forever blowing bubbles" in West Ham to "Delilah" at Stoke and "You'll never walk alone" at Liverpool. It's part of football.
As for partisanship, players that have left clubs have been known to need police escorts (or even been asked to stay away) when they visit their old ground with their new clubs. A good example will be the reception Harry Kewell gets this year when Liverpool play against Leeds.
BTW - Portsmouth have just been promoted to the premiership, so Sherringham has got a good deal for a 37 year old.

david_west

All crowds sing, apart from the anti-christs at the Highbury Library, who take an improving book.

The exhibition match you saw would be a lot quieter than the real thing, especially a derby. Unlike US sports it's not at all co-ordinated and is totally spontaneous.

There are websites with the various songs, but they tend not to be for family consumption (I never believed that terrible song about Posh Spice - she seems like such a nice respectable girl, but Ian Wright does have a big fat wife)

Altogether now... "We're the park lane..."

emjoy

david_west: can you lead me towards a web site with football songs? I have a mate who peppers e-mails with songs-mostly about his local team, but doesn't bother to give me the tune to sing it to so being an American I can't quite get the impact...
thanks

david_west

http://www.footballjokes.co.uk/songschants/

fill yer boots. these are the more anodyne ones.