Peter Bolton’s pre-season diary: Overpriced stadium food, $12 beers & victory over Real Betis

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Stretty News

·2 August 2024

Peter Bolton’s pre-season diary: Overpriced stadium food, $12 beers & victory over Real Betis

Peter Bolton writes his diary from Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Sunday 28th

After travelling up and down that 7-lane freeway into LA (Friday rush hour for the training & Saturday to/from the match), it’s great to have a ‘day off’.

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My hosts here in West Covina took me around to their parents, whose house has a lovely swimming pool and a large BBQ area. It was perfect for another boiling hot day.

Monday 29th

Another free day for me so I went into LA on my own – then onto Hollywood & Beverly Hills, took one of those ‘open-top’ minibuses around all the sights and up into the hills of Hollywood. The driver took great pleasure in pointing out all the ‘stars’ houses!

Admittedly, some of them I’d never heard of – but we passed David and Victoria Beckham’s old ‘mansion’.

Peter Bolton on tour: Beverly Hills

Back on the train to West Covina… just in time for a BBQ before cooling off in the pool.

Tuesday 30th

Yet another very hot day.

Two families and myself – in 2 cars – drove down to San Diego, about 120 miles over two hours (the last stop before Mexico!).

I had a great day at Belmont Park and by the beach for a paddle in the Pacific.

In the evening, we enjoyed a great meal out in ‘Phil’s BBQ’ (the best BBQ restaurant in the South – they say!!!). Anyone in San Diego should check it out.

Wednesday 31st

A lovely morning spent in San Diego before my host dropped me off at The Snapdragon Stadium.

I had a fantastic time at the Tailgating (well done all at San Diego Supporters Club) before wandering to the stadium.

It was much smaller the one in LA (about 35,000 capacity).

Few green-shirted Betis fans in attendance.

A stronger line-up from United as most staters played 60 mins instead of just 45.

United came back from 1-0 down to lead 3-1 (Amad, Rashford (p) & Casemiro).

The final score was 3-2 and there was no penalty shootout this time.

I had a great evening, met loads of nice people (mainly from San Diego – but sat with a family from San Paolo in Brazil – who were on ‘vacation’).

After a long day, I got back to the hotel at 11ish.

Some of these Americans will never properly get into our football (soccer). Many were more interested in the overpriced stadium food and $12 ‘cold beers’. I heard from some who paid $200+ for tickets and missed 30 mins of the game just queuing for the food!

Thursday 31st

Driving back to West Covina after checkout today and tomorrow it’s onto South Carolina (Columbia) for match three of US tour!

The final diary entry (part 5) will be published after the game on Saturday. Probably from the airport on Sunday!

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