22 years, FFS! Where did the time go?

http://inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Match.aspx?oid=3656

Poor team, totally outplayed. Decent turnout in those days of around 200, on open terrace behind goal, most trying to avoid the rain, by huddling underneath the canopy of catering facilities at the back of said terrace. Me and my mate from Swindon, got caught in a flash flood type storm couple hours before kick off, whilst trying to find a particular pub near tube station. By the time we found it the sun was shining, and we entered the pub absolutely dragged. Landlady took one look at us and said " would you like your clothes drying ". Me and my mate were gobsmacked but said yes please. She took our t-shirts and tracky tops upstairs and gave us a couple of darts t-shirts to wear, whilst our top clothing was spinning around in their personal dryer upstairs, unfriendly cockneys, I think not. An hour later, fresh smelling , dry clothes. The pub, The Birkbeck Tavern, still open today, behind Leyton tube, but away from the ground, well worth patronising.

Orient is one of my favourite away days. Brentford is my favourite London away, but I don't think we'll be playing them for some time.

Brentford probably mine, plenty of pubs and Fullers brewery territory. Orient used to be a good day out too, but area rundown now compared to what I remember when I first went there in 1986, was never the same for me after they removed away terracing behind the goal

Aye ! was at that game, Clark and Ingram I think got sent late on, total capitulation, think we were in paddock in front of seats they put you in now. Cant think offhand of wettest game, but remember when living in Swindon a couple of WBA fans were treated for hypothermia having stood on open Stratton Bank terrace in conditions similar to Wrexham Tuesday. Mind you our away end, in Town End corner in late 80s/early would of took some beating for sheer brutality.

You've jogged my memory there Chip! Brighton away 2000, When Zamora tore James Sharp a new ar*e. It was peeing down, I left at half time to go to the pub, but then realised ( I had been drinking in Brighton since 2pm ) that a couple of Pools fans had said I could kip on the floor of their B&B, but I didn't know where it was. Cunty baws of a steward wouldn't let me back in, so had to wait in courtyard outside ground for game to finish , so I could see said lads. Funny thing was later on, after drinking till 2am on a wet dank night in the Escape Club in Brighton, me and one of the lads got separated from the other one of the lads ( do keep up ) unfortunately he was the one who knew where the B&B was, so me and this lad ended up in the all nite diner in Brighton Veg Market, and I never did get my free kip in the B&B. Funny as fook next morning, well a couple of hours later actually, stood next to very rich but very sad individuals with bowler hats and briefcases, waiting for the 6am train to London. I must of looked and smelled a right clip, but didn't give a fook at the time.

As you say Chip, in those days it was a pilgrimage, you did what you could, none of this internet crap, none of this I been to more games than you, happier times imo.

Few years back me and a mate decided on the Friday night to get grand central next morning for Orient game. All went well until Boydy scored last minute winner against us. Tubes were all off so huge queues for buses to kings cross, traffic was terrible and ended up missing train home. Seemed like every hotel in London was fully booked or just wouldn't have two pissed and scruffy looking Northerners in, so ended up walking streets of London freezing cold and ended up sleeping in Mcdonalds for a few hours after puking in their toilets and our heads were banging from vodka on train down so couldn't even go in pubs. Got 7am train home. Great day! Hope we stuff them tomorrow.

Always enjoyed Brentford and Orient away when I was living in London.

The Birkbeck Tavern always reminds me of having a pint in there after a long flight from South Korea which was timed so that I could see Pools and only to be told the team bus was stuck on the M25 and the match was off! August 2012 I think.