where to go in West Ham ?

there's a great West Indian grocer's called WONDER FOODS off the Plaistow Road, also um.... all the pubs are crap. you'd be better off going to Stratford 5 minutes up the road, there's all sorts of stuff there including the King Edward pub ("the Eddie"!). in fact, the best thing about West Ham is that it is near Stratford.

Come on you Irons!

Katie's wrong about the pubs - the Black Lion down Greengate Street is one of the best East End pubs there is, consistently featuring each year in Time Out's Good Pub Guide. The pub grub there is also divine, and they'll pour you the finest pint of Guiness this side of the Irish Sea.

Of course, a pilgrimage to that holy Mecca of European football, Upton Park (down Green Street) is an absolute must, especially with the stadium expanded to around 37,000 now.

There's loads of fine eating establishments - Priya's down High Street North is the best Sri Lankan Restaurant, Tippy's does the best Thai food for miles around as well.

I'd recommend checking out the Asian cinema along Barking Road as well, 'cos they're showing the critically acclaimed "Monsoon Wedding" at the moment.

Okay, so strictly speaking all of these places are more Plaistow/Upton Park/East Ham based, but they're only a 5-10 minute bus journey away.

Where's the Tube? ;)

The few times I've been to the Boleyn (not that near West Ham tube at all??) I've been in a really dodgy pub on Green Street possibly called The Market (it's next to Green Street Maket you see) and then to the pie and mash shop opposite which is lovely.

And if you go to the Boleyn, make sure to check on how the building of the mock-medievil towers either side of the main entrance, they looked fantastic on the artists impression.

That pie & mash shop is the best in the East End. Happy days...

Monsoon Wedding is ace by the way. I may start a thread.

Shame they look like cardboard boxes once you get up close.

The pub in question is Queens, worthy of mention only for the heavy police presence outside on match day. It's pretty grim fare, and I much prefer the friendly but boisterous atmosphere of the Boleyn - the Boleyn's were you go to soak up the pre-match atmosphere and have a massive sing song. Takes years to get served though, which is why most people order four pint jugs.

The best pie and mash shop in the world is Nathan's - it's down Barking Road, just round the corner from Green Street. Is this the one you mean, Chris? I used to go there every week when I worked in Plaistow, and take the piss out of anyone uncultured enough to order gravy instead of liqour.

really, they looked Chingford-tastic on the AI.

I have been to other pubs, I remember now, that was if you go left out of Upton Park tube rather than right to the ground, nice pint of Pride iirc. I like it round there, despite it being a little shabby, must go back again soon. Last time was the home game against Metz in the inter-twobob cup and it was dire.

But Trev, the time before was when you won the youth cup, thrashing Coventry in the home leg (6-0?) and young Joey was amazing that night.

I thought the pie and mash shop was opposite the Queens, but it was a while ago.....

Yeah, I remember the Metz game - that was a very mediocre display.

The 6-0 win against Coventry was much more memorable - that was the first time I'd ever seen Joey play, he was weaving through the opposition defenders like he was ethereal. And that game was historic for setting the record for the highest aggregate win in an FA Cup final. It was also the first and only time I've stood on the pitch during a game.

You're a bad boy! How come?

We got ourselves on Sky I think as we were sat very near the front behind the goal and the G caught a couple of off-target shots. But Joey that night was a revelation, such tricks and such confidence. Carrick played as well from what I remember, as did Bertie Brayley of Basildon, whatever happened to him?

Here y'go Chris. Don't say I never do anything for you.

aww, cheers Tim, he wasn't all that fantastic when I saw him, but he did have one hell of a name, and he is from Basildon apparently.

Nice one Tim.

Yeah, my pitch invasion was more a matter of necessity than choice. The not so bright ground staff only initially opened up one stand for the game, in spite of massive media coverage of the game beforehand. Thousands of people were pouring into the west stand even though it was quite clearly full. For about the first half hour of the game I watched the game stood by the edge of the pitch.

They finally opened up the east stand, and several hundred people walked round the pitch to the other side. I was one of them, and couldn't help doing an impromptu jig at the corner flag on the way.

I doubt I'll ever get the opportunity again, unless I get myself a sex change and join the Hammerettes.

But then you'll have to dance at Fulham as well Trev!!

I remember all the chaos actually, we were dead lucky getting the seats we did.

I need to go and watch footy now, what games are on in London this weekend?

hmmmm, Orient v. Cheltenham, or the Daggers v. Forest Green, not a lot of outstanding quality there.

Ahem, if it's quality you're after................

There is no way I'm going to Tottenham vs Everton, Jonnie! Unless D can't go for some reason and I use his season ticket.

...I was going to say Netbenefit are back in action at Finsbury Leisure Centre.

If you fancy taking out a second mortgage, West Ham are playing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 2pm KO. This has to be the most overpriced ground for tickets in the country, surely?

Too true, plus I wouldn't want to line Ken Bates' pockets. Mind you I did pay 31quid once to watch Spurs vs Southampton (last season in fact) they were terrible seats...it was at Spurs.......there was one shot on goal all match! Biggest waste of money evah!