Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Brentford FC

A Saturday afternoon football game, unlike evening ones, means there is plenty of time to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Wycombe playing at Brentford, in the sunshine, presented the perfect opportunity to do so what with Griffin Park famously having a pub at each corner of the ground. How brilliant to have a pub at each corner. It would probably never work at a Premier League ground because the crowds are too big.

It's something we miss at Adams Park, with Wycombe moving 3 miles from the town centre in 1990 to the end of an industrial estate. Nearest pub is nearly 1 mile away and there is only the one.
I think it would be a big shame if Brentford were to ever move from Griffin Park and lose that sense of character.

Back to Saturday, on the first corner, approaching down the Ealing Road from the A4, is The New Inn. Just time to peer through the window and see Steven Gerrard score the penalty to put Liverpool 2-1 up.

Continuing on the Ealing Road, the 2nd pub you get to is The Princess Royal. Plenty of choice here being a Fuller's pub.

Turning right down the Braemar Road, you come to The Griffin on the third corner, another Fuller's pub. And finally, on the other corner of the Brook Road away end, there is the The Royal Oak, a Courage pub.
Had time for 2 out of 4. Super stuff. And to top it off Wycome and Brentford played out a 3-3 goal fest.