Black Lion hopes fans will still come to historic pub

The Black Lion pub in Plaistow hopes fans will still make the East End pub part of their pre or post match ritual when West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium in August.

The famous pub was once the regular drinking establishment of Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst.

Hurst recently said “My most cherished memory was drinking at the Black Lion pub after the game. We didn’t need any encouragement after a game to have a drink. Like any players in those days.

“You couldn’t see players today going to the Black Lion and having a drink today. Or any players these days going to the pub. The relationship between the players and the fans has changed dramatically, like everything else in football.

Harry Redknapp also used to frequent the drinking hole in the old days

Harry said “After a game all of us would make our way to the Black Lion pub in Plaistow, not too far from the ground. The pub is still there but I bet not too many professional footballers use the place any more, as nice as it is.We’d have a couple of beers, music would be playing and we’d be chatting about football to journalists or anyone else who’d listen.”

The Boleyn Tavern will be running a £120 per year membership scheme to transport supporters to to Olympic Stadium but the Black Lion landlord, Tom Friel won’t be following suite.

He told Claret and Hugh Exclusively “I have looked at all options, the feeling I got from my football fan customers is that most would like to still use the Black Lion but rather than try and run a coach service (and get them to stump up £120) the number 241 bus from opposite the Black Lion takes just 5-6 minutes to Stratford station and 10-12 minutes to the Olympic stadium, there are bus lanes 90% of the way!  That will be much quicker and less expensive than the ‘Boleyn’ option . I hope this is of help to you and the West Ham fans that want to experience the good beer,  good food and friendly atmosphere of the Black Lion , with thanks , Tom Friel of the Black Lion”