Dagenham boozers

[Phil Whalley]

Sunday poses a bit of a problem for those of us who prefer not to watch Stanley sober (hangovers don't count), especially since commuter-belt East London is one of the genuine real-ale deserts of our land, with Dagenham itself the capital city of pubs draped with England flags and yet only serving drinks with such patriotic names as Carlsberg and Lowenbrau.

So our two drinking dens are in nearby Barking, with the first stop on Sunday being the Barking Dog, right alongside Barking rail station. Being a Wetherspoons, they open at 10am, though since the staff on duty will consist of one eyebrow-pierced teenager running on an hour's kip, there's no telling what time you'll actually receive your first pint.

At 11.30, the plan is to decamp to the much more civilised environs of the Brittania on Church Road (IG11 8PR), about a five minute walk away, whose lovely landlady has offered to open half an hour early to accommodate the hordes of thirsty Stanley fans. Would be rude not to take up the offer, eh? Set off for the match from here shortly after 12.

I know of a few fans making a weekend of it in London. If there are any relying on the trains, there are some tube closures on the District Line, with no service between Earls Court and Whitechapel. The Central Line is also down from Liverpool Street, which means you can't change at Mile End. This is a problem for those travelling from the centre. Here are your options:

1. The Metropolitan line to Aldgate, and then a stroll down Aldgate/Fenchurch Street to Fenchurch Street station, where you can catch a C2C overground train to Barking. The trains leave at 10, 20, 40 and 50 past the hour. I'd say this was the best option.

2. The Hammersmith & City line to Aldgate East and then take a hike along Whitechapel Road to Whitechapel tube, where you can catch the train to both Barking and Dagenham East. But - best part of a mile walk.

Those within distance of the Docklands Light Railway can use this to Bow Church, where you can connect to Bow Road on the District Line.

Phew, it's nearly enough to make you buy a car. The pick of the stops is definitely the Brittania, so hope to see some of you at one point or the other.

Phil

[DAV007]

wont be leaving liverpool until 9am!

[Phil Whalley]

Update on the train situation - just found out tonight that London Underground are running extra Hammersmith & City line trains through to Barking all weekend, so that gives anyone approaching Dagenham from the centre an easy option.

Dav - isn't that cutting it a bit fine from the north west? I'll be setting off from Ealing Broadway earlier than that...why not set off at 8 and meet us in the Brittania at 11.30?

[DAV007]

probably.

but the car im borrowing isnt available until he finished his night shift!