As part of the Everything Orient series 'Away Days', @QuaneRoman reviews his adventures at football grounds across the country and takes a look at everything from the best ground, the best food and most importantly, the best pubs. Next up Wembley.
Wembley Stadium
Capacity: 90,000
Occupant: The FA
Town/City: London Borough of Brent, North West London
1) The Journey - 6/10
The day had come. Orient were in a cup final at Wembley with promotion secured as champions and with the last game of the season now here, it offered a chance to celebrate a fantastic season and also see the O's win a potential double.
After getting out early and stationed in the Hamilton Hall at 9 o'clock we took the short tube up through West Hampstead/Wembley Park in a journey taking half hour. An easy journey but getting back from Wembley is always hectic, trying to avoid the hold up on Wembley way we cut round the back thinking we would sneak through only to be met by security.
2) The Area - 7/10
Wembley is a rejuvenated area, along the way it is very nice with the London Designer Outlet, Boxpark, Cineworld, Sainsbury's, shops all in eyesight of it and in front of you like a pop up book.
Turn a corner, however, on Empire Way and you're in a completely different area, not as money pumped as the surrounding areas of the stadium but I guess that's just London in general.
3) The Pubs - 5/10
After spending the morning in the Hamilton Hall, which for a while every single O's fan I knew was in, it emptied and we went on to the Railway in West Hampstead. A decent pub, been there for England games before, very close to the station but it was so off the pace in terms of where everyone else was. Some fans were at the Green Man, which I heard wasn't even that good, or BoxPark which would've been nice to see. After the game we returned to Liverpool Street and stayed out there till late in the night.
4) The Ground - 8/10
No doubt about it that Wembley is a world class stadium, fantastic architecture, the way it was built was clever and fascinating. But my opinions on Wembley rank low because of many reasons, in areas such as prices on food and drink for example. The atmosphere for games and so on. I was sat in club Wembley and felt so disconnected from everyone, chucked out a block for standing, a toxic atmosphere and with 25,000 fans it felt like a reserve game. Walking into the ground and seeing 3/4 of it empty, I asked to myself was it worth it? Should've stayed in the pub.
5) Food & Drink - 5/10
Despite it being overpriced the peperoni pizza I shared was very good, however, £15 a go you're thinking more Dominos prices at a football ground. Apparently the coke tasted like water as well.
6) The View - 7/10
A fantastic view but the 40,000 empty seats cheapened it and the fact that sometimes when we sang 'Stand up for the Orient' people just sat, saddening.
7) The Programmes - 8/10
A good programme focusing on both finals, very good articles and information included.
8) The Atmosphere - 1/10
Terrible voice, highlight of the atmosphere was the national anthem, never got going and wasn't enjoyable.
9) Away Support - 10/10
25,000 at Wembley in a non-league final is fantastic, shame we didn't sing like that.
10) The Performance - 2/10
Poor showing from the O's, never looked like they'd do much in the game congratulations to Fylde we let ourselves down, at least we're champions.
TOTAL: 5.9/10
AwayDays Standings
1. AFC Fylde 7.3/10 2. Maidstone United 7.3/10 3. Wrexham AFC 7.1/10 4. Hartlepool United 7.0/10 5. Salford City 6.9/10
6. FC Halifax Town 6.1/10
7. Braintree Town 6.1/10 8. Wembley FA Trophy Final 5.9/10 9. Brackley Town 5.8/10 (FA Trophy) 10. Maidenhead United 5.7/10
11. Ebbsfleet United 4.6/10
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