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I've been a few days down in London, and decided to take in a game, but having no affinity for any London club, I set out to watch Dulwich Hamlet. Think they are about level 7 in the league system.
Crowd was close to 1000, and the venue was appealing and quite modern. And you could buy quality drink and take it out if you wished to view the game.
The match itself was of a decent standard, almost the sort of level I'm expecting in our league this season, while the officials seemed far better than those in Scotland.
But what struck me most was the atmosphere and good feeling about the place. A big mix of ages made up the crowd, from a cross section of ethnic and I assume other backgrounds. Many folk had scarves and team jerseys, and the attendees were noisy and good spirited. Banners welcomed all races, encouraged gay and female fans, and condemned fascism. You might have thought this was a trendy hipster crowd, but no, all folk were welcomed.
Further, folk I talked to were knowledgeable about all levels of the game, and well aware of Scottish football (and how shit it is). Plus, I got in for a concession price, with, when the gateman saw my Clydesdale Bank note, asking where I was from, and welcoming me to the ground.
£3.70 for a pint of Estrella Damm too......
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Good to hear Pat, I had a very similar experience at a game in London too, albeit five or so divisions up the pyramid.
I was in London for work and my flight home wasn't until Saturday night, like you I don't have a favourite English team to looked for a game at a ground that I could get to Heathrow for a 7pm flight, that ground was Craven Cottage so off I went to a Fulham game.
I went about 11am to get a ticket and see the ground and work out how best to get to Hammersmith underground to make sure I made the tube and then flight, was looking for somewhere to leave my case too.
Anyway, was treated like royalty when trying to buy a ticket, stewards couldn't be nicer and allowed me into the cottage and pitch side, stored my bag for me free of charge then pointed me in the direction of a pub near by where I could see the live lunch time gsme.
Back at the ground again treated well be the stewards, food and drink in ground excellent quality and reasonably priced, just an all round great experience where I felt like a valued customer.
Sent Fulham an email commending them for their match day experience and got an email back from their Head of security thanking me for taking the time to write to them and asked if he could read out my email at their security briefing at the next home game, got speaking away to him and incredibly he was an ex season ticket holder at Tannadice many years previous and he was shocked by how we were treated up here from stewards and the football authorities in general.