Fulham fan in Henley-on-Thames via Houston, TX

Hello all. About 30% through a 2 year stint in England, living in Henely-on-Thames. Although I followed the premeirship for years and took notice of Fulham over the last few years, for the obvious American presence, but I never really took on a team. Truthfully, I kind of let Fulham pick me.

I work in Reading and told the guys at work that I would adopt Fulham or Reading, whichever team stayed up. Meanwhile, unbeknowst to them, I was sitting in a pub following the games on the last day of the season with a McBride jeresy on that I purchased on my first trip to the Cottage before a game v. Newcastle in Dec 07 (we lost on a penalty in the 90th, dirty northern bastards). Kind of tells you who I was pulling for. Luckily, Fulham pulled it out and hence I support the Whites and not the Royals.

Been to the the Celtic (pre-season), Arsenal, West Ham, and Sunderland games in 08 since I've been here. As a football fan, I have been trying to get out to a few more venues. Been to Watford, Reading, Chelsea (yes Chelsea). Would love to go to the West Ham game this weekend but...my wife and I had a daughter (1st born) in November in London so that has hampered my schedule just a bit. Went with a few mates from work to the US/England game at Wembley. Very memorable experience except for the US's performance. Won't be able to live that one down for a while.

Anyway, sorry for rambling.

I've got my ticket to the Portsmouth game on the 31st (Haynes, HL Block)....anyone up for a pre-game pint at the Golden Lion????

If not, maybe some other game. As mentioned above with the new arrival, I am going to be limited to probably 3-4 more games this season.

Call me a slacker, but not sure if I am going to make it to Kettering though.

Cheers

 

Welcome to FUSA slacker! Lucky you getting to see the White's in person. Hope you enjoy the board.

 

Hi O sullyvan, you slacker! I'm an O neyll (or ONeill as I like to spell it). I had my first born in England too and spent a good 7 years living in Houston. Welcome aboard and enjoy those games at the cottage.

 

welcome o sullyvan, always good to hear from people attending the matches.

 

Don

Don

My daughter was born Nov 19th. 8 weeks old now.

Henley is a beautiful town. River runs right by the town center and I like to row so its perfect. Can't complain for the most part. About 13K people versus 3+M in Houston. MUCH more laid back. London is a 45 minute train ride away if I get the craving for a big city.

I will say we did come home for Xmas and I really enjoyed seeing the sun and wearing shorts on Xmas. But I've lived in cold weather climates before (Chicago and Pittsburgh) so you get used to it. That's why pubs were created.

 

Which was the better experience, Watford or Reading?

You should make the Kettering match. Welcome.

 

I have been to 3 Reading matches as it is fairly close to me and they've been fun (last one was Reading 5 Shefield 0) with great fans. I went to Watford v. Ipswich and really enjoyed it. My poor bro in law just go off the plane and I took him straight up there (we could not get any premiership tiks, Fulham was away) and he was exahusted by the time we got back to Henley. The little town center in Watford was pretty neat. Found a nice pub with a great beer garden. We sat with the die hard Watford fans and saw the gammit....They fell behind, the ref made some bad calls, then they came back to win with both of the goals in the net we were sitting behind. It might of been just the game we went to but I would give Watford the nod.

The Madeiski (sp?) however is a top quality stadium. Been there for a couple of London Irish matches as well. Watford is a bit of a pit but has some character. They appear to be doing some upgrades. The Madeiski is out from the town center a little bit whereas Watford is very close to the town center.

Not sure if this is imporatnt, but I believe Watford has one American and Reading has Convey and Hennamen (sp is wrong). Convey is hurt every other 5 minutes and hennamen is coming off an injury I believe but is pretty well respected amongst the Reading fans.

Hope that helps.

 

A pint at the Cottage

...hi! o_sullyvan, first I recommend that you have a pint in The Cottage Pub instead of the Golden Lion - you will meet a lot of the old regulars and seasoned campaigners. Don't be afraid to say hello, I may look imposing but I don't bite (as long as you are Fulham).

I spent some time in Houston in the 80's off Westheimer, living at the Adams Mark Hotel (is that still there?). Henley-On-Thames is a totally different experience, they used to have a great brewery 'Brakespears' and you could have a tour in there, and there used to be a great 'foodie' pub the other side of the bridge, but again not sure if it is still there...

 

I plan on being at that match, too. I don't have them in front of me, but I think I am in block FL.

So where's the place to go, the Lion or Cottage :?:

 

RE: Re: Fulham fan in Henley-on-Thames via Houston, TX

Seems there will be a few Americans who have got in touch with me that will be going to the match vs. Portsmouth on the 31st. I'm very much looking forward to it knowing it is the first home game for over a month.

I was going to comment on Reading but am holding back but will say I have good memories of Reading...our first away win last season but give me Vicarage road over the Madjeski anyday. If I never go to the Madjeski again I will be happy.

As for the prematch pub...you can't go wrong with either as an American but believe I'll be in the Cottage pub for this one personally.

 

Re: RE: Re: Fulham fan in Henley-on-Thames via Houston, TX

Mike

May be a stupid question, is the cottage pub at the Cottage? If so, do you need to have a pass or season ticket to get it. I remember having a Carlsberg and a pie on the riverside watching people go into restricted areas with passes. Every time I've been I've only had drinks under the JH stands or by the river but not in a 'pub', if you follow me.

Would not mind meeting up with a few folks. But dammit, I am up to the task if I must go solo! :lol:

 

RE: Re: RE: Re: Fulham fan in Henley-on-Thames via Houston,

Mike

nevermind. I found it.