# Leeds - Help me on my Premiership quest **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 10, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118 "2005-01-10T22:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/1 "2005-01-10T22:55:11Z")
I might be going to Leeds for business in late January. I would have a meeting on January 25. I hope (if I go) to get to some Premier League games. I’m thinking of going to the Manchester United v. Aston Villa game on Saturday Jan. 22. Unfortunately, the Sunday Arsenal v. Newcastle match is sold out. But I’d also like to go to the Blackburn v. Bolton game on Monday. Is this a huge headache or is there a fairly reliable way of getting to these places from Leeds? Also, if the Man Utd game doesn’t work out I will try to get to some other game. Here’s a list of the rest of the matches: Southampton v Liverpool Birmingham City v Fulham Chelsea v Portsmouth Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur Everton v Charlton Athletic Norwich City v Middlesbrough West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City Are there any games that will be too much of a pain for me to get to? I appreciate any help. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I get to take this trip. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/2 "2005-01-11T06:03:45Z")
I have no idea (although nothing in England is far from anything else in England by American standards 😉 ) but I can ask my SO tommorrow. He grew up there. I can also tell you where to get the best fish and chips in England (which happens to be in Leeds :)) ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/3 "2005-01-11T07:35:09Z")
You should get in touch with the respective clubs’ ticket offices first and find out if tickets are available. It isn’t always possible for non-season ticket holders to attend games. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/4 "2005-01-11T10:44:33Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > I have no idea (although nothing in England is far from anything else in England by American standards 😉 ) but I can ask my SO tommorrow. He grew up there. I can also tell you where to get the best fish and chips in England (which happens to be in Leeds :)) Damn right. I’m from Leeds as well. You’d be best off hitting the respective club websites for ticket info there **Zoff**. Whereabouts are you staying? In the city centre? And what the hells wrong with going to see Leeds play at Elland Road? Its about a 10 minute bus ride out of the city centre. My boys need all the support they can get at this point in time. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/5 "2005-01-11T13:07:38Z")
SO says: "Best idea is for him to look at [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk](http://www.nationalrail.co.uk) or [http://www.nationalexpress.com/home/hp.cfm](http://www.nationalexpress.com/home/hp.cfm) whi9ch is the coach service Leeds has a major intersection railway station (probably the easiest way to get to most of the matches he mentions) and a major bus / coach station. Biggest thing is to watch the return part of the journey - some like the Southampton game could be a challenge to get back from. Oh yes, the other one just in case he’s not worked it out is that when we set out matches the home team is named first not second as with you guys! Hope it helps" Although he neglected to give me the name of the chippie. Paul? ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/6 "2005-01-11T14:01:46Z")
I’m sure your husband has a favourite, i’m just talking about nigh on all of them being good. Northern fish & chips kick the souths arse anyday. Leeds - Southampton will probably take about 9 hours on a coach and 5 on a train at the very least. And thats one way. Bit of a trek for a football match. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/7 "2005-01-11T14:10:50Z")
What the others said - the Everton, Birmingham and West Brom matches are the best options, all two-ish hours by train. Although tickets for Everton are probably hard to get hold of at present. And don’t you dare go to Norwich 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/8 "2005-01-11T14:15:06Z")
…plus, don’t overlook the other nearby Championship teams _(bleaugh, I still hate that name - what was wrong with Division One?)_. Both Sheffield teams plus Burnley are all easier to get to, and all have great crowds. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/9 "2005-01-11T15:03:09Z")
Thanks to all for the responses. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by ruadh_ > You should get in touch with the respective clubs’ ticket offices first and find out if tickets are available. It isn’t always possible for non-season ticket holders to attend games. Thanks. I checked a couple of websites and they seem to sell to non-season ticket holders. I don’t know if that’s true for all clubs, though, so that’s something I’ll have to check. That could very well eliminate some options. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by paulberserker_ > Whereabouts are you staying? In the city centre? > > And what the hells wrong with going to see Leeds play at Elland Road? Its about a 10 minute bus ride out of the city centre. My boys need all the support they can get at this point in time. I don’t know where I’m staying yet. I have a meeting at the University of Leeds so that will likely influence my decision. I’m a fan of Leeds as a matter of fact, but they’re away at Stoke the weekend I’m in Leeds. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by GorillaMan_ > …plus, don’t overlook the other nearby Championship teams I’m keeping that in mind. I couldn’t live with myself if I went to England and didn’t see at least one Premier League game, but the atmosphere at the lower division games seems great from my limited exposure (mostly FA Cup game broadcasts). **betenoir** tell your SO thanks for the information. Any recommendations on the best fish & chips are always welcome! I think I’ll try to avoid 5 hour train rides. But it looks like I have a lot of options. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/10 "2005-01-11T15:04:05Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > I’m sure your husband has a favourite, i’m just talking about nigh on all of them being good. Northern fish & chips kick the souths arse anyday. He says : Brians, off Otley Road, Headlingley, just behind the Three Horseshoes pub! I tend to agree though I haven’t had as much experience. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/11 "2005-01-11T15:26:10Z")
Man knows his chips. I’ve eaten from Brians a few times whilst in the midst of the Otley run. You should get your husband to take you on that run should you ever find yourselves back in that neck of the woods. Not far away from where **Zoff** will be either, bottom end of Woodhouse Lane where the Uni is leads you straight up there. I would have said the Red Lamp on Wide Lane, Morley as the best chips I ever did eat, but my Dad tells me it shut down when the Proprietor (also called Brian) retired last year. Boooo! Dr Paul, for the fight against fish & chip ignorance in Leeds. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/12 "2005-01-11T19:19:04Z")
Since I’m imposing on some of you already I might as well take full advantage. I will be staying at 42 The Calls which, from what I gather, is near the city center. Any information on good stuff in the area would be appreciated. I’m flying in Saturday at around 10:00 am. Am I cutting it too close or do you think I can make a match in a fairly close city (maybe Everton)? Obviously I’m in trouble if I run into flight delays, but assuming I’m on time I hope to make a dash for the train and get to a game. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/13 "2005-01-12T09:42:58Z")
Well, if you coming out of Leeds/Bradford to the Calls, allow an hour or so for grabbing your bag and getting a taxi into town. The Calls is about 5-10 minutes walk from the train station - a train to Liverpool for the Everton match will probably take about an hour or so - the fast train takes 2h25 to London, so i’m guessing there, it might be less than that. So i’d say you got a pretty good chance of making somewhere with a 3pm kick off. Another good thing about Leeds is you can walk right across the town centre from top to bottom in about 15-20 minutes. The Calls is at the bottom, but ou’re just off the main drag of the place, Briggate. Pubs you should check out: The Palace, by the Parish church, literally at the end of the road from the Calls Whitelocks on Briggate And more later… ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/14 "2005-01-12T11:16:44Z")
If you go out in the city centre at night, be prepared to be the only one wearing a coat, and to feel like a bit of a dork for it. At least you’ll be a warm dork though 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/15 "2005-01-12T11:59:50Z")
> [@Zoff](#): > > the atmosphere at the lower division games seems great from my limited exposure You’re quite right. You’ll get a far better athmosphere in many lower division grounds than at Old Trafford. You might be pushing it to get to Everton for 3pm - the fastest trains are nearly two hours (1hr 47m, to be precise, which they never are 😛 ). Burnley and Sheffield United are playing away, and Wednesday play on Friday night. Oldham are away, too…things aren’t looking too helpful… Far better, if you’re free on the evening of Monday 24th, Blackburn are playing Bolton. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/16 "2005-01-12T12:02:25Z")
Different option for the Saturday - Rugby! Huddersfield are at home on the 22nd. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/17 "2005-01-12T16:41:40Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by GorillaMan_ > You might be pushing it to get to Everton for 3pm - the fastest trains are nearly two hours (1hr 47m, to be precise, which they never are ). Burnley and Sheffield United are playing away, and Wednesday play on Friday night. Oldham are away, too…things aren’t looking too helpful… > > Far better, if you’re free on the evening of Monday 24th, Blackburn are playing Bolton. It seems all of the Midlands teams are fleeing town for my arrival, unfortunately. I was thinking of trying the West Brom v. Man City game but you can only buy tickets online if you’re a member or season ticket holder. It’s a later game so maybe my hotel can help me get tickets. I plan on going to the Blackburn game but my concern is getting back to Leeds because it looks like the trains don’t run very late. The pub recommendations are very much appreciated **paulberserker**. I will walk to one as a warm dork **ruadh**! They’ll know I’m American from my ten gallon hat and six-shooter, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/18 "2005-01-12T17:45:29Z")
> [@Zoff](#): > > I plan on going to the Blackburn game but my concern is getting back to Leeds because it looks like the trains don’t run very late. Good point, I was thinking of trains from Bolton, which would have been no problem. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Crunchy\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Captain\_Crunchy\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Crunchy_Crunch)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/19 "2005-01-12T20:55:04Z")
Slight hijack here… I’m looking at the club honours for some of the teams at [premierleague.com](http://premierleague.com). I know what **League Champion** means, but what does **F.A. Cup Winners** and **League Cup Winners** mean? Also, when did the Premiership start tracking assists? I always thought they didn’t, which I found very odd. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118/20 "2005-01-12T21:17:22Z")
> [@Captain Crunchy Crunch](#): > > I’m looking at the club honours for some of the teams at [premierleague.com](http://premierleague.com). I know what **League Champion** means, but what does **F.A. Cup Winners** and **League Cup Winners** mean? The FA Cup is a straight knowck-out competition. It’s not just for the professional teams - this year’s had 661 [entries](http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/06/Entries_2004_05) . The top two divisions join the competition in the [third round proper](http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/06/53590.htm), and the two lower divisions in the first round proper. But in theory, any of those 661 teams could win the competition. The League Cup is another knockout tournament, for the teams of the four main divisions, and is far less prestigious than either the league proper, or than the FA Cup. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leeds-help-me-on-my-premiership-quest/284118.md?page=2)