A yank comes to England (flying out on Thursday!!)

Skilly McRailnob said:
anyone used airbnb.com before? seems like there are a lot of good options in/around downtown manchester.
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I've used it many times. Though in Manchester, a decent hotel can be found for less money than the AirBnBs that I would want to stay in. At least that is my experience. I am going over in April and am hoping to hit a match on the way in and on the way out of my two week trip. The three nights I'm staying up front are at the Premier Inn - Piccadilly which looks to be perfectly located. For three nights I'm paying $414. Considering the current conversion, that's pretty good. I still need to plan the rest of the trip, but I probably won't book a room for the return portion until closer to the date. The 2nd match could end up being an FA conflict so I'm going to hold tight until closer to time. I'd love to go to Wembley to watch an FA match as that is one of the worlds most known sporting venues and getting to watch City play there would be special.
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
True story --- When I came in for a match v Swans a few years ago (2012), the IO asked me why I'd come to the UK. "For football and to see some friends", I said. He said, "Which match?" I said, "City and Swansea." He said, "You're a City fan?" "Yes" I replied. "Good lad", he said. "Off you go. If you were a United fan I'd have to send you to that room with the rubber glove dispenser."
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Last time I was in San Francisco (and I love that city - this was sixteen years ago mind) me and the other half went into the Mad Dog in the Fog in Lower Haight (loads of ex pats in there). The guy running the place found out who we supported and 'fixed' the pub quiz for us and we won a shed load of 'beer'.
The Mrs was pregnant at the time with our first daughter so she wasn't drinking...I literally couldn't squeeze it all in.

Wonder if that boozer is still there?
 
Hey my yank friend, we should hook up(thats yankee lingo isnt it) and I can show you the sights of Manchester(and believe me, there are some sights!!) I can show you Harperhey single parent mums filling their babies bottles with Asdas own red bull type drink whilst simultaneously grobbin one out, its a rare skill. Then we can go in a friendly Cheetham Hill pub and buy some fake perfume and cigs that have the logo's spelt wrong. Then I can introduce you to some old time football hooligans who will not kill you at all!! What do'ya reckon? Does it sound swell? P.S This offer is only open if you are a female 25 year old blonde goddess with huge tits and no morals. Rarrrrse!!!
 
somapop said:
Last time I was in San Francisco (and I love that city - this was sixteen years ago mind) me and the other half went into the Mad Dog in the Fog in Lower Haight (loads of ex pats in there). The guy running the place found out who we supported and 'fixed' the pub quiz for us and we won a shed load of 'beer'.
The Mrs was pregnant at the time with our first daughter so she wasn't drinking...I literally couldn't squeeze it all in.

Wonder if that boozer is still there?
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Yep, and it is still THE footy bar in town, although the SF Blues meet at Maggie McGarry's near Chinatown, a pub they share with the local Arsenal crew. I live a bit north of town (Marin County) so my pub is The Mayflower in San Rafael -- run by a wonderful bloke who's a Palace fan with a soft spot for City. For the Gladbach match there were, for the first time I can remember, more City fans than any other brand there watching 3 or 4 matches . . . including rags, who were mighty silent for some reason :).
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
Yep, and it is still THE footy bar in town, although the SF Blues meet at Maggie McGarry's near Chinatown, a pub they share with the local Arsenal crew. I live a bit north of town (Marin County) so my pub is The Mayflower in San Rafael -- run by a wonderful bloke who's a Palace fan with a soft spot for City. For the Gladbach match there were, for the first time I can remember, more City fans than any other brand there watching 3 or 4 matches . . . including rags, who were mighty silent for some reason :).
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Says it all, like Coke and Pepsi, just choose your favourite.
 
I stayed at Motel One last trip (made the trip over 10 times now, went to Southampton and Hull matches this time). The room was clean and in an excellent location for getting around--right at the base of Piccadilly Station. The rooms were spartan, but to me, so what. I need the room for sleep only. 69 quid to me was very fair.

When you land at the airport, customs is quick--fill out your landing card on the plane. If you're staying in the City, follow the terminal signs to "The Station"--its the train depot...there's an ATM at the base of the escalator to convert your money. Get a train ticket to Manchester Piccadilly for 4.20 quid, and save over 20 quid on cab fare. As you approach Piccadilly on the train, look out the right side and you can't miss The Etihad (tours for 7 bob are worth it) From Piccadilly, the metro train is the "Yellow Line" to Ashton Under Lynn. the ticket terminals are very easy to navigate. The main City Store is just off the train drop off at Etihad, and there is another City Store at Arndale Mall.

Places I like to frequent include Shambles Square--and the Football Museum is in that "sandbox", too. Nando Chicken, Weatherspoons,and Bella Italia are all restaurants on the main path from Piccadilly to Shambles Square I'd recommend. On match day, don't be intimidated by the queue at Tony's Fish and Chippy. Its right next to Mary D's on Gray Mare Lane, and its freaking delicious. Townley Pub is another Eastlands-area pub I frequently visit.

Have fun exploring!
 
flight is booked!

should arrive in manchester late morning on March 4 (Friday). We will probably stay in manchester for a couple days before heading south to london (friend is a fulham fan...they have a tuesday night match). flying out of manchester the following Saturday. outside of that, nothing has been sorted.
 
Transplanted Paddy in Boston here who has been to a couple of games in Manchester years ago. Last time I went was before the takeover on one of those City Breaks. Had a tour of the ground the night before and a south Stand ticket the day after to see a turgid 0-0 against the mighty Blackburn. Ugh...but I had a fantastic time. I met a bunch of peeps from the old TalkinCity board who showed me around; Curry Mile, Mary D's etc. Mancs are the best and most hospitable people around in my opinion. I stayed at the Renaissance in Deansgate - great location. Taxi'd out to the Etihad (Or the CoMS at the time) with some folks after the morning in a bar in Picadilly. Ended up bringing a crowd back to the hotel and getting them shedloads of drink as I was a resident...well I had to return the great hospitality after all.

Extra bonuses even though it was before the fantastic footy we enjoy today from afar was 1) the great Balti pie at the ground and 2) having my name (or board nickname at least) called out over the tannoy before the game...

It had been over 20 years since I had been to Manchester before that. I sincerely hope it won't take that long again. You will have a ball. Enjoy. Hopefully following you over soon.
 
For those of us who may not make it over for a few years, it's been good to daydream about future excursions and read the suggestions and opinions in this thread. To the OP, good luck and have fun. My experiences with Mancs who have come over to see City in the states during the summer and with fellow yank blues in other cities in the US have always been positive, so I'm sure you'll be welcomed with open arms.
 
Skilly McRailnob said:
how hard would it be to get champions league tickets to chelsea/PSG at Stamford Bridge?
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I'll venture a totally uneducated guess and say not hard but expensive.

Those folks are some of the richest people in the world. And their stadium is small. Quick google search on some random website said 300 to 1000 quid per seat, which is like $450 to $1500.

Your trip sounds like tons of fun. Hope you get those tickets.
 
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Skilly McRailnob said:
how hard would it be to get champions league tickets to chelsea/PSG at Stamford Bridge?
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I am not sure why you would want yo go or even ask that on this site?

On the day before Fulham v Burnley is probably the pick in London and probably more worthwhile seeing, and failing that QPR v Derby also should be a good game. Chelsea, Fulham and QPR are all in Hammersmith and Fulham. With any luck some league 1 or 2 rearranged games may also feature that week, or some tasty non-league ties.
 
I'm asking because I'll be in London at that time (likely going to the Fulham match on Tuesday).

Good point on the lower league matches...hopefully some do get moved to midweek. When I looked yesterday, I think all the matches were still on Saturday.
 
Assuming the city match stays on Saturday, I'm thinking about taking a day trip to York on Sunday. Will all the "touristy" things be open on Sunday? And is one morning/afternoon enough time to spend there (if possible, we'd take an early morning and late afternoon train to York/back to Manchester)?
 
Skilly McRailnob said:
Assuming the city match stays on Saturday, I'm thinking about taking a day trip to York on Sunday. Will all the "touristy" things be open on Sunday? And is one morning/afternoon enough time to spend there (if possible, we'd take an early morning and late afternoon train to York/back to Manchester)?
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Most things are under water at the moment :-(
 
Skilly McRailnob said:
Assuming the city match stays on Saturday, I'm thinking about taking a day trip to York on Sunday. Will all the "touristy" things be open on Sunday? And is one morning/afternoon enough time to spend there (if possible, we'd take an early morning and late afternoon train to York/back to Manchester)?
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York's well worth a visit if they get everything sorted from the flooding. A day should be enough probably.
 
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