London

I had the pleasure of sitting in the Oval with the home supporters in a Shels tracksuit for Justin McBrides testimonial in 2000. Turned out we could only have 5 subs on the bench I think and we had a brought a full squad so myself and a few other chumps were packed off to the stands. The area around the ground was intimidating looking on the way in and the older lads had been trying to send us out to the shops to pick up items “they forgot” so I assumed being sent to the stands was also a wind up. The troubles weren’t that long in the past (in my mind anyway) at that stage so I’ll admit to being a bit nervous. Turns out there was no need to be. The locals were curious as to why we were there and loudly speculated on how sh*te we must be if we were worse than what was on the pitch but that was about it. I don’t know if it’s been redeveloped since I was there but I liked it, it was worn down but had a bit of charm. 

Aye, that cup game gets brought up a lot in T&M folklore. Have ( or had I should say) started going to away games. Some good little clubs about the place, Hanwell Town, Northfields and a bit further afield, Sittingbourne, down Medway direction was great craic.

As for the Oval, went there several times with Derry City, Setanta cup a few times and a Pre Season friendly or two. Never had any hassle, no issues  with us having pints in the social club etc and no hassle in the area around the ground. 

The Oval is one I always fancied though and, to a lesser extent, Seaview.

Probably a lot better now, and it is a proper old school ground. 

****s?
 

Then lads can talk about punch-ups on crumbling terraces in East Belfast and going to matches in Argentina all they like.