No Holland's here mate!

At the time of writing (Friday 6 Feb) I’m eagerly anticipating Sunday’s game against Man U and whatever the eventual outcome, if you’re true Claret ‘n’ Blue just the thought of it is something special. I’m not absolutely certain I know why and now’s not the time to go into the whole ‘The Academy of Football’, we won the World Cup-thing (although we did BTW)… but we all have great memories of previous encounters*.

 So I’m making my pre-match preparations, Di Canio shirt is out ready for the trip to my local (guaranteed moral support from my City-pals) and I’ve even had a little bet. I checked the odds last weekend, 13/2 was being offered on a West Ham win, so I couldn’t resist. But there is something not quite right, there are some missing ingredients from my plans that, will without question, lessen my enjoyment… and that’s some proper Pie ‘n’ Mash.

 Now if I was lucky enough to have tickets, much like the players, my pre-match arrangements would be precisely choreographed. You see for me no trip to The Boleyn is complete without a visit to Nathan’s Pies and Eels round the corner from the ground on Barking Road. Then swiftly washed down with a pint in The Boleyn public house on the corner of the same and Green Street.

 There have been a few imports from Upton Park over the years, some proper players (and one notable wrong ‘un) but sadly this hasn’t included the delicacy that is pie ‘n’ mash. I’m not on my own in my appreciation of real pie with creamy mash and piping-hot liquor. Rio Ferdinand is also a big fan and David Beckham had his specially shipped to Madrid!

 So if you’re ever at West Ham for a game get yourself round to Nathan’s but make sure you get there early, it gets pretty busy. I recommend you go for double-pie, mash and lashings of liquor, who knows if you’re feeling adventurous get some eels to go with it.

 I’ll see you there…

* My personal favourite  –  Sunday 28 January 2001, Ooh La La… Barthez 0 Di Canio 1