August 2024. Manchester.
A difficult month draws towards an end with some better news, and a trip to the Etihad for City v Ipswich lifts the spirits further at the start of a new season.
Just for a change, and to avoid the temptations of Mancunian pubs, I head straight out of Piccadilly to pub-less Ashbury’s and then a walk past the chippies and Irish pubs on the way to the Etihad.
Since my last visit the Co-op Live has finally opened, and work on stadium expansion continues apace.
Such a shame City have no fans, will shortly be docked 115 points and be relegated to the Conference.
56 years ago, City were League Champions, despite having no history pre-2008,
and programmes, like 3 course meals, houses and footballers, cost one shilling, and the only food was tripe.
How things change. In 2024, pre-match entertainment on Bahia day from a Brazilian band to the delight of our new Brazilian winger.
The food is a bit different too these days, with Bundobust taking a food cart outside the east stand.
Not quite the same without pints of Bundobust beer, I reason, and opt for the Mancunian classic toastie.
Cheaper than at their Northern Quarter outlet, amazingly, and actually good for you in an alternate universe.
I’ve arrived an hour before kick-off, mainly because I want to see my view from a randomly allocated single seat that costs me £17 a game.
I reckon most folk around me, largely European and Asian tourists, have paid £100+ for their seats on the resale market. The Old Boy next to me is from Stockport, wherever that is, and shakes my hand at the end of the game after discussing every incident. I like that.
There’s no cask beer, despite my telling the club they should stock Holt Bitter in the annual supporter survey. Asahi is the beer of choice, and at about £5.30 it’s competitively priced.
But it gets worse. In the fridge, the only bitter is this southern monstrosity.
It’s a good job the football is passable.
retiredmartin 
,”…programmes, like 3 course meals, houses and footballers, cost one shilling, and the only food was tripe.”
Aye, I remember them days. You could get six pints, take your best girl to t’pictures, get a pair of new boots and a bag of chips on’t way home and still have change out of a tanner.
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Grilled cheese is one of life’s great pleasures.
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There is of course a small pub under the corner of one of the stands there which is part of a hospitality package, serves Holt’s cask beer and is listed on WhatPub: https://whatpub.com/pubs/MAS/17184/ardwick-beswick
I wonder if anyone has ever submitted a score for it?
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I should have mentioned that, but I didn’t see the Ardwick when I looked at City’s hospitality packages (I fancy doing it for a cheap cup tie) and I wondered if it was on pause during the North Stand renovation works.
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“Opening Times
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday Noon – 6.30 pm
Sunday Closed”
Well known beers in a micropub ?
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If you want some pre-match Holts, this is the place to go:
https://whatpub.com/pubs/MAS/4251/grove-inn-clayton
or, if it’s still doing it’s thing you might want to have a look here (no cask, mind you)
https://whatpub.com/pubs/MAS/4501/victoria-clayton
Cheers
John
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Thanks John. Yes, those are good shouts. Holt at the Bradford, too; I directed some West Ham fans (not Mr Protz) there last year. Bet the prices were a shock.
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It’s so difficult to find a decent pint at the football. I reckon The Abbey is a serious contender for best beer at the moment. I like the BrewBoard stuff.
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At the actual ground ? I had GK IPA last time I sat in the main stand !
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No GK anymore! The ground has BrewBoard beers all around, plus Ghost Ship (keg) and Madri
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Is that why the crowds have been so good of late !
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Could well be!
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