Thrilled as I was to be in the Strawberry against the Arse, meeting all of you, and chatting to Arse fans who enjoyed being in Geordie pubs, I was brought down to earth when in Earls Court. Went to see the PSV v Leeds match and ours against the Pool. Both unpleasant experiences. The first was full of Leeds thugs out for trouble and the second was dominated by either Glaswegians or LondonManu with their Neanderthal knuckles draggin the ground. One of the aforementioned Scots wanted to quote effing kill anybody in Black and White unquote. As I would again like to see my grandaugter b4 departing this life, I zipped up me jacket and made a reasonably dignified exit. Different tangent, saw half the cup game b4 departing for the FE. Thought we were brilliant and so so unlucky. What was so pleasing was the whipping boys of the previous games came out trumps.(I.E.Robert and Acuna). Cant say we will win the replay, but............weel give it a bloody good go.

Oh Ciara theres a bloody mary behind the bar for you.

Derek back in Hong

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

Answers

Kong?

Welcome back my china!

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

That's the trouble with such a 'cosmopolitan' environment such as London. Full of rag-tag-bag a'shite...

To be honest, I've not had much more than derograry remarks about my colours (even in the far flung holes of Hillingdon). Guess the more central Lahndahn you go the greater the chance of dim-wits as it is so central for everyone living there.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

Great to meet you Derek, glad you got back safely. London is a hole of the arse variety.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

Time to reinvigorate the London bbs meet-ups, i reckon. Famous 3 Kings at West Ken is good, couple in Putney ok too.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

got into a "scuffle" with a few mackems at the Freemason Arms on Long Acre while watching the first Arse match [league]. Probably to do with me jangling keys as they 'sang' their ever-so-funny anti-Bobby Robson song.

Parkway Tavern, Parkway, Camden - v Liverpool. Cockney Red as the third goes in: "you're shite Noocarssel". I wouldn't let that go either......

So i'd recommend The 3 Kings or whatever it is in West Ken....

Where is it?

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

Right beside West Kensington tube station on the District Line.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

eeeeh what are you blokes like since I left eh? lettin' min get a howkin' on his own? 'Spose there's nothing central being used then?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Well, min insists on going to these gay bars on his own for some reason.

Sure there are a few central places but I can't be arsed, frankly, and the F3K is local for me. It is pretty good - one big screen, half a dozen decent others dotted around and two or three little tellies in the booths. As I understand it it's the feller who used to run Evergreen's so it's nice and Toon-friendly. After the Highbury win he gave free pints to all legit Toon fans! The only problem can be that they're servant to too many masters and try and cover several events at the same time. When I went in for the Arse game (SJP) it was stowed out with Taff rugby fans.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

The Barley Mow on Duke Street is now the preferred venue for London Mags, I think a few of the lads (and lasses) were put off the 3 Kings after a change of ownership. Must've been at least 50 of us in the BM for the Liverpool game. Nearest tube Bond Street, just down the road from Selfridges. Geordie landlord etc.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Beware the Barley Mow! If it's the one on Duke St. directly opposite Selfridges, it's where someone was killed a few weeks ago by something falling from the roof.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Probably a suicidal mackem after watching his team lose 1-0 to their superior neighbours.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Pete - my friend walked out of Selfridges five seconds before the thing ( a large ornament) fell off the wall. She heard a sound and turned to see the man right behind her. Dead.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002