Bob, they are all good shouts but San Carlo's on a Saturday evening is a definate advance booking probably as will be Albert's Shed. Sam's is great especially the corned beef hash or Steak Pudding

Yed you might strike it lucky in Grill on the Alley just round the corner off John Dalton Street or the Brazillian next to Kendals

Train straight to the ground is quicker than the tram as said above. The tram is better if you want to stop for a pint on the way to the ground though as you can go to either Old Trafford on the Altrincham line or Exchange Quay on the Eccles line. Both are about a ten minute walk from the ground and both have pubs en route.

I'll probably get the tram as I'll be down at the Printworks in the afternoon so it'll be easier to go from Victoria or Shudehill than walk back up to Piccadilly. If you're just going straight from Warrington on the train though, then get off at Oxford Road and get the train straight to the ground from there.

On the way back the train is by far the quickest way. Straight out the ground and into the station while everyone else is walking to tram stops. It's usually too busy for them to bother checking for tickets too, and even if they do you can just buy there and then. The tram is a must purchase beforehand from one of the ticket machines on the platform. Again, with them being so busy it's highly unlikely they'll check for tickets, but if they do it's an automatic £100 fine. No ifs, no buts. It's not worth the risk.

You're right about booking ahead. I've just had dinner in Dukes, next door to Albert's Shed, and it was really good. You'd probably need to book ahead there as well.

kick off for me is one o clock. watch it ont he tv at home with beers, some sandwiches and a bottle of nice whiskey. i hate not being able to go to the game. lunch time drinking is never a bad thing! and then a bbq and a birthday party after the game. if we win, it will be a long, drunken afternoon/evening. if we lose, im not going out!

I hate you just for your username & location of where you live.

That's funny because I bet he'd probably sell his first born to swap with you on Saturday

Plans changed, in the Walkabout on Quay St from midday, shouldn't be too packed get an hour in Sam Platts at around 4 then walk to the ground.

Train from Yorkshire into pic for just before 2 then a few jars on route to Oxford road grab the football special train then back afterwards into oxford road few more then last train back to banjo land.

just making a massive english breakfast washed down with a bottle of becks.jump in the bath,put my bets on at hills then off to the pub for a few then coach to old trafford.gonna wear jeans from tescos my lucky underpants and socks a wires top and sports coat and either my shoes from primark or my lonsdales or my reeboks,bloody hell cant make my mind up...

Lonsdale lol.

Are there any 'old man' pubs (I'm thinking proper ale on tap) in town/Orford for a few (hopefully celebratory) drinks with other Wire fans for this evening? Being exiled in Leeds for 15 years/too young to frequent these kind of places before I left, I could with a steer.

Full English just being served with a cold bottle of Bud. Then changed and off to the Rodney. "Come on"