The Colman's Football Food Guide has pleased some of the lower division clubs who are praised above the Premiership giants for the quality of their catering but the study has been met with some hostility - from the clubs and other critics.

Janet Williams, who wrote the 'Football Fan's Guide' about facilities at league grounds said the surveys are, at best, subjective.

She disputes the contrast between Cambridge at the top of the league and Leyton Orient at the bottom.

She writes: "Football pie experts would query the findings of the Colman researchers.

"The writers of the 'Football Fan's Guide' - myself and a whole team of footie fans - have been risking life and stomach upset since 1994 in pursuit of the perfect pie.

Another soccer fan tucks into a football ground burger

"The bacon butties at Cambridge United are indeed excellent and Doncaster fans - who vist the Abbey Stadium this Saturday - already have their bibs on.

"However, visiting fans earlier in the season gave the definite thumbs down to the Cambridge pies, which were still frozen in the middle.

"Home fans have queued all half-time for tea to be told that the caterers have run out of hot water. Any club serving frozen pies and greasy chips does not deserve top ranking.

"Three cheers however for the good marks given by Colman's to Rochdale's fantastically cheap pie and peas. But their researchers must be extremely picky for putting Leyton Orient bottom of the catering heap.

"Two years ago the catering was truly appalling but the Football Fan's Guide has visited Brisbane Road twice this season and each time fans were happily scoffing the excellent beef and veggie burgers. Orient gained extra brownie points for allowing fans to pour fresh (instead of powdered) milk into their tea.

"The quality of food is very much in the mouth of the eater so every researcher will compile his or her own listings. But the Football Fan's Guide cannot believe that the Eric Twigg pies at Rotherham didn't win the top award. Ask any Rotherham fan - these people are pie experts."
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©