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ENGLAND V RUSSIA |
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For want of a better word, Steve McClarens reign as England manager so far has been wank. With England needing maximum points from Russia's visit to Wembley to stand a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008, it was all set to be a painful day out. With this in mind, Alison and Scott McCarthy decided to precede their first visit to the new national stadium with some central London pubs, taking part in the infamous Dick Whittington Ale Trail |
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| McCarthy admires the leaflet containing the set of maps that detail the ale trail we would be following | Our first pub is The Old Shades, next to Trafalgar Square |
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| Alison settles for a pint of Tommy Taylors Landlord as her first drink | While McCarthy chooses a pint of Addistones Cloudy Cider |
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| Our second pub is on the outskirts of Leicester Square, and was where Charlie Chaplin used to frequent after shows in the west end no less! | Here, Alison is on a stout by the name of Seafarers |
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| While McCarthy breaks away from cider, choosing Pedigree instead | The Porcupine was a pub that was set just north of Leicester Square |
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| Alison once again enjoys a pint of Taylors Landlord, this time out of an extremely manly tankard | While McCarthy goes for that fine German brew, Staropamen |
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| The Imperial is our next destination, in the heart of Leicester Square | Its a fine ale called Sweet Chariot this time for Alison |
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| While McCarthy stays closer to home, with his traditional Bulmers | Our fifth and final pub is The Moon Under Water, part of the Wetherspoons chain to take advantage of their superb Beer and Burger offer |
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| However, Alison is on the verge of tears as it is revealed that the offer was not on, so she settles for a pint of Tormenter | While Scott is angry at being denied his burger, and has to make do with a pear Kopparberg |
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| Dinner would thus be taken in Burger King, as a note of McCarthys incredibly large order is taken | A quick tube journey, and we are standing outside the real home of football |
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| Alison stands on Wembley Way | While McCarthy pulls off a pose |
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| This was a clear metaphor for Mr McClarens reign thus far | A crowd of 87000, and somehow we still manage to bump into this flid on Wembley Way! |
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| In all her glory | McCarthy stands inside the stadium |
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| The Main Stand | This end used to house the players tunnel at the Old Wembley |
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| The other side - and was she big | The Crocs on Tour flag is soon erect over the top tier balcony |
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| Alison inside the fine new facilities | The only negative McCarthy could take was that they had run out of assorted pies |
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| The teams enter the stadium for the important game | An arousing rendition of the national anthem is sung |
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| The teams prepare for the kick off | And with 7 minutes gone, Michael Owen grabs the opening goal |
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| Owen makes it 2-0 after half an hour | Alison can hardly believe it, 2-0 at half time |
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| McCarthy looks rather happy too | The 87000 crowd enjoys the second half |
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| Peter Crouch prepares to enter the fray | And all 197cm of the great man are soon on for Emile Heskey |
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| England come forward with a corner | Rio Ferdinand makes it 3-0 with a fine solo effort |
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| At 3-0, several England fans walk out to avoid the queues | And it finishes 3-0 to England |
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| Alison is happy with that result and performance | While McCarthy can't quite believe he has witnessed a decent match |
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| This portion of the arch looks like a semi-erect penis | And a fine day is wrapped up with a beautiful picture of arguably the greatest sporting venue in the world |
