Whats it like going to a Premiership match?

Fans are very passionate here. Some matches are more crazy than others, depending on a number of circumstances. Local rivalries are typically the most passionate, but other matches can seem equally crazy when there is a lot riding on the outcome.

As for what to expect, there's a lot of noise, a lot of swearing in some cases, and a lot of singing in unison. The horror stories of hooligan trouble are mostly in the distant past, but you always get light-hearted or antagonising chanting and banter between the two sets of fans.

"Fast food" is available at games, but the selection tends not to be massive, and it's always a little bit cheaper to buy fast food from established local retailers (most people tend to avoid the temporary fast food stands around the grounds in fear of food posoning!!).

As for alcohol, you can not bring your own alcohol into any stadia. Different pints of beer/lager/ale are available at all Premiership stadia, and spirits tend not to be available so that people don't get too drunk. It is usually illegal to drink alcohol in the seats, and it's only available at the bars inside the stands, in plastic cups, and away from the action. Most people tend to drink in outside pubs and bars before and after the games, but the ones closer to the stadia are obscenely busy on match days. A lot of people will disappear off to eat or drink at half-time in the stands, but the large queues can often cause you to end up missing the start of the second half. 15 minutes often isn't long enough to queue, drink and then get back to your seat. The time between entering and leaving the stadia can be as little as two hours, so most people just drink before and afterwards.

Another point to make is that all stadia in England (and all enclosed public spaces) will be non-smoking areas from July 1st 2007.

You have a section with an average of 3,000 "away" supporters in each stadium, and the rest of the place is filled with "home" fans. It's all segregated to lessen the possibility of trouble. You'll find it almost impossible to get tickets in an "away" end unless you are a member of that respective club, and have amassed privelege points through an intricate selection system. You typically have to be a season ticket holder at that club's stadium.

It can also be equally difficult to get tickets for the "home" section of many clubs. They all operate on a tiered system. i.e. at West Ham United (where I go to every game), "Bond Holders" (investors into the club), "Priority Season Ticket Holders" and "Season Ticket Holders" get their places guaranteed first. Then "Club Members" can apply for available tickets from a certain date. Then, if there are any tickets left, they go on general sale to the public. At West Ham United, the games against the biggest clubs and the bigger London rivals (i.e. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur) tend not to reach general sale, so it's difficult to get tickets for those. Every club has their respective local rivals, so tickets for certain matches are more difficult to get than others. Consequently the games with the best atmospheres are those which are hardest to get tickets for. Your best bet is to contact a club through their website and explain the situation. Just tell them how much of a fan you are of that club, and that you want to catch a game when you come over. Most clubs do quietly set aside a certain number of tickets until the last minute for extenuating circumstances (such as visiting overseas fans).

As to where you go, and which match you want to see, you can check out the locations of Premiership clubs here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League

Of course I will tell you to start supporting West Ham United, but I can't twist your arm from here. Fixture lists for next season won't be available until late on in June. Last year they were announced on June 22nd, so watch the BBC website around that time. Be aware that some Premiership fixtures can be subject to change according to the respective club's progress in competitions other than the Premiership.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/...

Particular memories? Hundreds of them, both good and bad from this season. Youtube has most of them on there. This game had it all, even if we did end up losing in injury time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d49VGZtgNKY

Its the reason you go to work Monday to Friday. up here at Newcastle its a religion its what you do , follow your club, a full house every other week even when the teams not doing very well. you can have a drink at any ground in England as long as you look over 15, 18 for legal issues lol. food and drink is expensive but not over the top , ticket prices are around £20-£28 for Newcastle united games but are more expensive for the London teams also the southern football fans think there sitting in a library ie no atmosphere. have a good time at your first EPL game. ps come north , its better.