Pre-match pub for away fans

[LancsPie]

Hi everyone. I've just signed up to PON, having read a number of the interesting articles on here in recent months.

On Saturday I was travelling back from Bromley to Preston by train (every match I attend is an away match for me) and struck up a conversation with a Barrow fan returning from a day out in Ebbsfleet. He organises all their away travel, which is very much self-funded. Sometimes they have enough fans to hire a minibus or even a coach and for other matches they travel by train. A group always travel by car too. I promised that I would provide him with contact details for a suitable pub that would welcome him and probably 50-60 of his fellow away fans (they expect to be bringing a coachload down) within, say, a 20-minute walk of Meadow Lane. I gather that he usually makes personal contact with the landlord or landlady some weeks prior to the match and always ensures that the fans are well behaved and respectful of their surroundings. I actually was very impressed with him. They would arrive about 12:30 and stay until 2:00 or 2:30 depending on location and enjoy, as so many of us do, a proper pub serving decent beer, rather than a pub that is part of a chain such as Wetherspoons and their like.

Having not lived in Nottingham for over 40 years, could someone please recommend somewhere that I could suggest to them please? It would be great to be able to ensure they had a brilliant experience of Notts' hospitality before leaving pointless on their long journey home. Actually do spare a thought for Barrow fans. Unlike Carlisle fans, they have to travel for one hour before even reaching the M6 and so probably suffer some of the longest journeys of any supporters in the EFL or National League timewise.

Many thanks,

LancsPie.

[cheeky~k8]

Welcome to pon!

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham @LancsPie, I will ask around for you - I only visit the Notts pubs and I'm not much of a drinker to be fair. I know a few where away fans go, yet they have a bit of a reputation.

I'll get back to you.

[LancsPie]

Many thanks Chris. News of a decent pub for the Barrow fans to visit pre-match would be much appreciated.

Better news at HT from Borehamwood; sounds from Charlie's commentary like a better showing than Saturday. Delighted young Sam Osborne has got another outing; I thought he did well at Harrogate and saw him a few times when the reserves were playing up in Lancashire last season, since when he seems to have 'muscled up' a bit.

Paul.

[CliftonMagpie]

Welcome to PON @LancsPie

[cheeky~k8]

Welcome to pon!

[DangerousSausage]

@LancsPie I'm not the best informed about pubs in Nottingham either, but as this post is slipping down the page I'll make a couple of suggestions to get the ball rolling.

If they like their real ales, it might be worth looking at one of the Castle Rock Brewery pubs. The Canal House is a bit on the expensive side but does a smashing tipple. Didn't seem too busy before the match either (this was a couple of years ago mind), which might be an advantage if there's 50-60 fans coming. The Vat & Fiddle is a bit more traditional but is next to the brewery and you can even combine it with a tour. Both are close to the railway station and a brisk 20-minute walk to the ground.

If the Barrow crowd are more into fizzy lager, hot dogs and boobs, on the other hand, there's always Hooters on London Road

Good luck - hope you find a decent place that'll console them for having to travel back to Barrow with no points  

[liampie]

welcome to pon @LancsPie, sorry i dont drink but i wish you well.