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 I'd be delighted to hear from any member or publican
willing to share their knowledge of hostelries up and down the land that welcome
CCFC fans on match-day. Please write to me
here with pub
information or corrections or views on the information shown below for inclusion
in our database.
Right : Me with son George, who is clearly unimpressed at getting
another Coke.
I've attempted to put together a list of potential (and current) pre-match
meeting places for CCLSC members to get together and have a beer and a munch.
Some of these are only tentative suggestions and so I would welcome views from
other more-hardened travellers - you should appreciate that my choices are
conditioned by the following:
 I
drink real ale and not lager
I
generally have a 13 year old in tow with me
I
travel by train
I
like to get to the pub early and line my stomach with food before anaesthetising
myself for the game, and
I
don't tend to travel further north than Leicester or further west than Bristol
...
... so for some of the venues I have taken advice from Richard Stedman's excellent Real Ale Guide to the Championship.
Please suggest an addition to our guide using the button below. Submissions
welcome from supporters and landlords.
Please note postcodes and directions are not available for all pubs at the
moment - but will follow.
Table 1 - Pre-Match Meeting Place Directory
| Away Day | | Info by | Name/Address |
| Barnsley | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Gatehouse, Eldon Street |
| Blackpool | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Saddle Inn, Whitegate Drive |
| Bristol City | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Merchants Arms, Merchants Road |
| Burnley | Map | Robin Ogleby | Bridge Beer Huis, Bank Parade |
| Cardiff | Map | Robin Ogleby | Cayo Arms Hotel, Catherdral Road |
| Charlton Athletic | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Bugle Horn, The Village |
| Colchester | Map | Paul Chandler | Drury Arms, 1 Layer Road |
| Colchester | Map | Duncan Say | The Fat Cat, 65 Butt Rd |
| Colchester | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Dragoon, Butt Road |
| Coventry | Map | Robin Ogleby | Whitefriars Old Ale House, 114-115 Gosford Street |
| Hull City | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Wellington Inn, Russell Street |
| Ipswich | Map | Robin Ogleby | Station Hotel |
| Leicester City | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Sir Robert Peel, Jarrom Street |
| Norwich | Map | Robin Ogleby | Coach and Horses, Thorpe Road |
| Palace | Map | Robin Ogleby | Alliance, High Street |
| Plymouth | Map | Robin Ogleby | Fortescue, 37 Mutley Plain |
| Preston | Map | Robin Ogleby | New Britannia Inn, Heatley Street |
| QPR | Map | Paul Chandler | The Springbok, South Africa Road |
| QPR | Map | Robin Ogleby | Goldhawk, Goldhawk Road |
| Scunthorpe United | Map | Robin Ogleby | Berkeley Hotel, Doncaster Road |
| Sheffield | Map | Chris Gately | Sheaf View, 25 Gleadless View |
| Sheffield United | Map | Chris Gateley | Sheaf View, Gleadless View |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Map | Chris Gateley | Various |
| Southampton | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Eagle, Palmerston Road |
| Southampton | Map | Paul Chandler | King Alfred, 51/53 Northam Road |
| Stoke | Map | Robin Ogleby | Ye Olde Manor Inn, Manor Street |
| Watford | Map | Robin Ogleby | Mac’s Bar, Fearnley Street |
| Watford | Map | Paul Chandler | Moon Under Water, 44 High Street |
| WBA | Map | Robin Ogleby | The Vine, 152 Roebuck Street |
| Wednesday | Map | Chris Gately | The Hillsborough Hotel, 56 Langsett Road |
| Wednesday | Map | Robin Ogleby | New Barrack Tavern, 601 Penistone Road |
| Wolves | Map | Robin Ogleby | Moon Under Water, 53-55 Lichfield St |
Table 2 - "In Our Experience ..."
Barnsley
The Gatehouse, Eldon Street
by
Robin Ogleby
The designated away fans pub is the Gatehouse in Eldon Street, a mere cricket ball's throw away from t'railway station. Here the weary traveller can expect a right northern welcome and refresh himself with a choice of six real ales and some Yarkshire home cooking. Far better they say than either watching than either watching Geoffrey Boycott score six runs in four hours, or Michael Parkinson chatting up Meg Ryan!
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Blackpool
The Saddle Inn, Whitegate Drive
by
Robin Ogleby
Blackpool’s oldest boozer I’m told. Whoever had the foresight to build it in 1770 must have had a pretty good idea that a soccer stadium would eventually be constructed just a few minutes walk away. Good food and draught Bass.
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Bristol City
The Merchants Arms, Merchants Road
by
Robin Ogleby
A small pub, and a bit of a trek along the A4 out of town - but, hey, that’s Bristol for you, you never seem to be able to get to anywhere there quickly. The good news is that, once you are there, the beer is lovely (Bath Ales) and so is the welcome. Home made lunch time snacks are available, and it’s a convenient walk over the river to the ground thereafter.
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Burnley
Bridge Beer Huis, Bank Parade
by
Robin Ogleby
half-way between the station and the ground, this pub was recently voted the best football pub in the Championship. A large selection of real ales, and some bar food. A serious ale house for the serious drinker.
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Cardiff
Cayo Arms Hotel, Catherdral Road
by
Robin Ogleby
A little walk from the town centre up Cathedral Road will take you to the Cayo Arms Hotel - a CAMRA Cardiff pub of the year. This is a sportsman's pub (i.e. as you are in Wales, this means rugby) and, I am told, the food is substantial and excellent. A large building but with as cozy atmosphere, which can't be bad considering it is still in Cardiff.
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Charlton Athletic
The Bugle Horn, The Village
by
Robin Ogleby
those of you with very long memories might remember the last time we played at Charlton and we met on a sunny afternoon in this pub with foaming pints of bombardier in our hands. I’m looking forward to repeating the experience this year. The pub is situated in the ’village’ right on top of the hill, up from the station - which makes it easier to glide down to the valley after you’ve had a couple!
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Colchester
Drury Arms, 1 Layer Road
by
Paul Chandler
This pub is but a short staggering distance to the ground which is also in Layer Road. The Pub is a large building on corner of a junction with two large Bars , one for Home Fans and one for Away Fans, there was no problem at this venue last season and Shirts were allowed as was some rather dreadful singing of 'Way up Sky Blues'. Beer was ok large selection of Lagers and some Real Ales were available. For Food there was an excellent burger van in the car-park and you were allowed to take the Burgers back into the Pub to eat. One piece of advice, when it time to go to the match pay a visit to the loo in the pub before you go as there are only a couple in the ground meaning long queues.
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Colchester
The Fat Cat, 65 Butt Rd
by
Duncan Say
Excellent real ale pub on the route from the Town Centre to the ground. Probably fifteen minutes walk from the ground but a much better pub than the Drury Arms.
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Colchester
The Dragoon, Butt Road
by
Robin Ogleby
This pub is a little gem within a vast area of chav mediocrity - and just a brisk walk away from the ground. Good beer and a great range of home cooked food - including the landlord’s famous chilli (hotter than you expect). Get there early and make the most of the warm welcome and cozy seating - otherwise you’ll end up standing on someone’s head!
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Coventry
Whitefriars Old Ale House, 114-115 Gosford Street
by
Robin Ogleby
The HQ of the CCLSC in Coventry is now firmly entrenched at the Whitefriars Old Ale House in Gosford Street - this is relatively easy walking distance from the station (or a cheap taxi ride if i) you can't be arsed to walk, or ii) can't wait to get that first pint of real ale down your neck. Despite the fact that the landlord is clearly a rugby fan, CCLSC members are welcomed with open arms - to the extent that he will even open the pub up earlier than 12.00 on matchdays if he knows beforehand that we are on our way! (NB the poor bloke probably hasn't got to bed until 4.00 in the morning). At the end of last season Matt put on an excellent spread for us all in the pub garden to thank us for our valiant efforts at drinking his real ale and eating his monster breakfasts throughout the year - it had been a massive chore I know (John Bryant still carries the wounds). The real ale is constantly changing - and you need to get there at opening time if you want to work your way through the card - but the home cooked monster breakfasts certainly help you to lay a firm base for the job (however, on the rare occasion that the cook hasn't turned up, if the previous evening happened to coincide with St Patrick's night for instance, you are allowed to go next door to the kebab shop and bring your kebab and chips back with you). The Whitefriars is paradise on Earth and the only regret is when the taxi turns up to take you to the Ricoh.
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Hull City
The Wellington Inn, Russell Street
by
Robin Ogleby
locally known as the ‘Welly’ probably on account of the fact that you now need to wear wellies all the time in Hull due to global warming? A large and international selection of real ales and a warm welcome (allegedly) - even for away fans. Not sure if food is available - but I gather this is par for the course in Hull. No doubt a chippy can be found somewhere -alternatively you could carry on up to Princess Avenue where there are a number of quieter venues that do sell food, including Pave
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Ipswich
Station Hotel
by
Robin Ogleby
My great discovery in Ipswich is that if you have a 13 year old in tow you might as well grow a long beard and walk round with a rucksack on your back with the word 'bomb' written on it. You ain't welcome! The simplest thing by far is to cross over the road to the Station Hotel and get a skinfull there before walking a further short distance to the ground. There is plenty of room in here, the beer isn't bad, and there will often be a large screen showing football on Sky. Bar food is available but I seem to recall that this is largely of the indoor BBQ type. The locals are freindly,
particularly if you start a conversation with, 'Crikey I hate that Craig Bellamy twat don't you?'. Best not to mention tractors or turnips though, unless you know what you are talking about.
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Leicester City
The Sir Robert Peel, Jarrom Street
by
Robin Ogleby
relatively small - and full of Leicester fans near kick off time. Having said that, it is a very friendly place - provided you are prepared to listen to Leicester fans either moaning or gloating. Good pint of Everard’s Tiger and home-made cheese and onion rolls to set you up - and it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the Crisp Bowl thereafter. If you are going in a crowd though, the better option is The Out of the Vaults on King Street (LE1 6RL) as you walk down from the station. A much wider range of real ales and also more space in which to park your bum.
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Norwich
Coach and Horses, Thorpe Road
by
Robin Ogleby
I aim to do a full reconnaissance mission to Narweege this season (for some reason, in previous years the trip to Bernud Maffews country has always clashed with something else). In the meantime, I suggest the Coach and Horses in Thorpe Road, just around the back of the station - home prepared and locally sourced food, and a real ale drinkers' paradise to boot! I'll let you know. Probably best not to mention beetroots or Terry Butcher I guess?
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Palace
Alliance, High Street
by
Robin Ogleby
Crystal Palace is the one ground I absolutely refuse to go to on a train. That is because I only live 20 minutes walk away from it! The only place to go drinking in close to the ground with any real comfort if you are an away fan is the Alliance, on the High Street as you come out of Norwood Junction Station (if you don't happen to live nearby). The good thing about this place is that the locals (apart from me) don't seem to like it much! There might be more up market or posey pubs nearby, but let others use them and leave this to the Cov fans on match day! Get there early if you want a seat
or late if you want to stand on someone's head (no one seems to mind, either way though). You get a good Irish welcome as you walk in, even if you haven't been to the pub in a long time, or if the person who is welcoming you isn't Irish. This seems to be one of those pubs that time forgot. Sooner or later you will bump into everyone you have ever known if you stop there long enough. No food though - but plenty of cheap take-aways nearby.
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Plymouth
Fortescue, 37 Mutley Plain
by
Robin Ogleby
The Fortescue on Mutley Plain is recommended - a good range of beers and a friendly welcome. Half a mile from the station.
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Preston
New Britannia Inn, Heatley Street
by
Robin Ogleby
conveniently situated between the station and the ground. A good range of real ales and home cooking. A little on the small side though.
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QPR
The Springbok, South Africa Road
by
Paul Chandler
This pub is the closest to the ground and is a typical Football Supporters Pub, very basic but a good place to get inebriated before drudging off to watch the match. Away fans are allowed in and QPR Fans congregate at the other end of the Bar, when I have been ther it has been good humoured bantering between the supporters without trouble, not sure if this is always the case (particularly if they are playing Fulham or Chelsea). I just slug down the usual 8 pints of Stella so cant really comment on Beer quality and didnt bother with food but if you want a good place to meet up with other City Fans have a few beers and a sing song this is the place. They also allow you to spill out onto the forecourt of the pub with your beer so you can jeer at the QPR fans who are going to the ground, remember they have even less to be cheerful than City fans as they still have a crappy ground ! The pub also has footie on SKY in the pub if there are any earlier matches on just to get you in the mood.
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QPR
Goldhawk, Goldhawk Road
by
Robin Ogleby
In recent seasons I have started using the Goldhawk on Goldhawk Road (come out of Goldhawk Road tube station, turn left and eventually cross the road) - mainly because a mate of mine lives nearby and he recommended it. And a very good recommendation it was too. Although it is within easy walking distance of the ground, most fans seem to miss coming here because they tend to congregate along the very busy Uxbridge Road (which meets Goldhawk at Shepherd's Bush Green). This watering hole is a little more upmarket, relaxed and poncey than the usual pre-match venue but the beer is excellent and the food is of good quality. If you get there early enough you can even get a large comfy chair to sit in! Class.
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Scunthorpe United
Berkeley Hotel, Doncaster Road
by
Robin Ogleby
a few minutes walk from the ground - a 1930s art deco building. Real Ale (Sam Smiths) and excellent home cooked food - but I’m not sure though whether this is available on Saturdays?
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Sheffield
Sheaf View, 25 Gleadless View
by
Chris Gately
Although not as well supplied with real ale gems as its city neighbour the clear star in the United zone is the above pub. There is a difference between this area and the the pathway along the 'Beer Valley' leading to Hillsborough. There isn't the range of distinct Houses with their own brewerys but the 10 plus ales on offer here are some compensation. There is a clear character to this freehouse and although it is frequented by Blades there are never any difficulties between fans.Bramall Lane is about a 10 minute walk away though you will probably have to return to The Sheaf as late United goals always seem to do us in.
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Sheffield United
Sheaf View, Gleadless View
by
Chris Gateley
although not as well supplied with real ale gems as its city neighbour, the clear star in the United zone is the above pub. There is a difference between this area and the pathway along the 'Beer Valley' leading to Hillsborough. There isn't the range of distinct Houses with their own breweries but the 10 plus ales on offer here are some compensation. There is a clear character to this freehouse and although it is frequented by Blades there are never any difficulties between fans. Bramall Lane is about a 10 minute walk away though you will probably have to return to The Sheaf as late United goals always seem to do us in.
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Sheffield Wednesday
Various
by
Chris Gateley
Sheffield is the undoubted 'Beer Capital' of Great Britain and for anyone interested in a fantastic range of real ales and a visit to a football match this is a real treat. For Sheffield Wednesday you cross 'The Valley of Beer' before you reach Hillsborough. Most of the real ale pubs are on the tram route, just get a day rider and head from the station or town to Middlewood [Leppings Lane].You can get off the tram at appropriate points taking in the Shalesmoor pubs the Wellington and the Yorkshire pub of the year the Kelham Island Tavern [and its wonderful garden]. Get on the tram again and get off at Infirmary Road and walk left up to an Abbeydale pub the Moon. A walk or tram will take you to the next pub The Hillsborough Hotel [at Primrose View stop]. This pub as many in Sheffield do has its own brewery 'Crown' and as is the norm 8 real ales. The advantage of this pub is that it is some distance away from the ground and there is good food and you can collect your thoughts before the hard earned victory ahead. It also has 6 bedrooms. The staff are also football friendly and amenable to civilised discussion [as long as it's not about QPR].You can from this point get a tram directly to the ground or take a short walk down [turn right] to The New Barrack Tavern on Penistone Road. This is A Sheffield Wednesday pub but the inmates are all very friendly, knowledgeable and usually depressed! The Castle Rock Brewery has a fine range of ales including Harvest Pale and there is a good quality of banter around between 2 sets of supporters who know 'what it's like'. The ground is a 10 minute walk from here.
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Southampton
The Eagle, Palmerston Road
by
Robin Ogleby
This pub has been selected by CCLSC members through a process of trial and error - and has become popular largely because it seems to be about half-way along the tedious walk between the station and the ground. This is a very convenient venue and you often bump into City fans who have been walking around Southampton aimlessly looking for a suitable boozer and who have chanced on this as a last resort. A very warm welcome is to be had here - although the pub is quite spacious, it is well divided internally into a series of quiet corners. A good selection of real ales, and food is available.
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Southampton
King Alfred, 51/53 Northam Road
by
Paul Chandler
This pub is nearest to the Ground (a short walk over a footbridge) and you are there. It is a small pub with a separate upstairs bar for Away Fans, also ther is pavement area outside wher Home and Away fans mix quiet happily. I only sampled the Lager at this pub but they do a fair selection of Bitters as well and best thing was how friendly the pub was and on a hot September evening standing outside for a beer before the match was ideal
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Stoke
Ye Olde Manor Inn, Manor Street
by
Robin Ogleby
Ye Olde Manor Inn, Manor Street, Fenton, is half-way between the station and the ground. Home made food, real ale and a friendly atmosphere.
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Watford
Mac’s Bar, Fearnley Street
by
Robin Ogleby
I’m breaking all the rules in recommending this pub - it neither sells real ale nor food - but the welcome for away fans more than makes up for this. A great little Irish boozer, and just a stone’s throw away from the ground - it has a lovely pint of Guinness and sometimes there is a BBQ going in the back garden. A terrific place to soak up the atmosphere on match day, and not a single Watford fan to be seen. Last time I went there a bloke sitting at the bar turned round and said ‘bejessus I haven’t seen you here for nearly a year now’. He was right.
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Watford
Moon Under Water, 44 High Street
by
Paul Chandler
Moon Under Water (Weatherspoons), is situated in Watford High Street about a 15 minute walk from the football ground in Vicarage Road. As a Weatherspoons it has a good selection of Real Ales at reasonable prices and serves wholesome Pub Food. They are happy for Away fans to wear their shirts in the Pub and when I have visited there has been a good atmosphere with away fans singing to their hearts content. There is also a small garden out the back if the weather is fine.
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WBA
The Vine, 152 Roebuck Street
by
Robin Ogleby
Not somewhere I have tended to hang around in for too long in the past - but I'm told the Vine in Roebuck Street is as good a place as any to buy a drink in - ten minutes walk from the ground and Asian food served both before and after the game. Probably full of Baggies though.
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Wednesday
The Hillsborough Hotel, 56 Langsett Road
by
Chris Gately
Sheffield is the undoubted 'Beer Capital' of Great Britain and for anyone interested in a fantastic range of real ales and a visit to a football match this is a real treat. For Sheffield Wednesday you cross 'The Valley of Beer' before you reach Hillsborough.Most of the real ale pubs are on the tram route,just get a day rider and head from the station or town to Middlewood[ Leppings Lane].You can get off the tram at appropriate points taking in the Shalesmoor pubs The Wellington and the Yorkshire pub of the year The Kelham Island Tavern[ and its wonderful garden]. Get on the tram again and get off at Infirmary Road and walk left up to an Abbeydale pub The Moon. A walk or tram will take you to the next pub The Hillsborough Hotel [at Primrose View stop]. This pub as many in Sheffield do has its own brewery 'Crown' and as is the norm 8 real ales. The advantage of this pub is that it is some distance away from the ground and there is good food and you can collect your thoughts before the hard earned victory ahead.It also has 6 bedrooms. The staff are also football friendly and amenable to civilised discussion[ as long as it's not about QPR].You can from this point get a tram directly to the ground or take a short walk down[turn right] to The New Barrack Tavern on Penistone Road. This is A sheffield Wednesday pub but the inmates are all very friendly,knowledgeable and usually depressed! The Castle Rock Brewery has a fine range of ales including Harvest Pale and there is a good quality of banter around between 2 sets of supporters who know 'what it's like'.The ground is a 10 minute walk from here.
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Wednesday
New Barrack Tavern, 601 Penistone Road
by
Robin Ogleby
Reviews indicate that the New Barrack Tavern on the Penistone Road is both a great pub and welcoming to away fans on match days. A good range of real ales and reasonably-priced pub food. Get there early.
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Wolves
Moon Under Water, 53-55 Lichfield St
by
Robin Ogleby
The last time I went to the Moon under Water I came very close to knocking the barman's teeth out of his fat ugly head free of charge. Once again, I had a young lad in tow and, as Wetherspoons had just implemented a policy whereby kids had to sit in one side of the pub where there were signs saying 'No Smoking', the two of us were ordered to find a table at the opposite end of the pub where the CCLSC contingent were sitting. Needless to say the part of the pub we were marched to had no free tables at all because a lot of ugly old Yam Yams had already comandeered them for smoking purposes. Hopefully, this policy has changed since 1st July and the Wetherspoons chain is now implementing a No Yam Yam policy. We'll see. The good thing about this pub is that it is a short walking distance from the station up the High Street and then another shortish walk to the ground. Get there early though to get a seat and guarantee service with a smile - the bar staff get very flustered later on. Good range of beer and food at reasonable prices, once you get served.
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