It’s halftime at your local football game. You’re clutching a pint in one hand and, maybe, a trusty pie in the other. But what if, instead of the usual snack-sized staples, the bloke next to you is delicately balancing a full plate of jerk chicken, rice, and plantains? Cue the chaos.
In the latest social media storm, fans are divided over a viral post featuring a £6 full meal served at Tooting & Mitchum United’s ground, “The Shack.”
Tooting & Mitcham United, affectionately known as “The Terrors,” is a non-league football club currently competing in the Isthmian League South Central Division, the eighth tier of the English football pyramid. The club plays its home matches at the KNK Stadium, also referred to as Imperial Fields, located in the heart of Morden, South London. Despite their modest standing in the footballing world, the club boasts a rich history, tracing its roots back to 1932. Over the years, it has been a staple of the South London football scene, providing an affordable and welcoming experience to fans while nurturing grassroots talent.
While some hailed the meal as the bargain of the century, others branded it a crime against football culture, with cries of “woke” echoing across X (formerly Twitter). Let’s dig in, shall we?
The Pint-and-Pie Tradition: Broken by Jerk Chicken
Football culture in the UK is sacred. The rules are unwritten yet universally understood: you eat handheld, minimal-mess snacks—pies, sausage rolls, maybe a cheeky burger if you’re feeling posh. But the image of someone wielding a full meal pitchside? That’s where tradition draws the line.
One outraged fan perfectly captured this sentiment:
“I’ve said this before, but full meals at football is so woke. I honestly hope if you’re eating this during the game you get a Mitre ball blasted at you.”
Others chimed in with practical concerns about the food getting absolutely obliterated:
“Goal gets scored; those chicken wings go flying,” warned one.
“CHRIST.. WITH THE TEMPERATURES OUT ERE @ THE MINUTE.. THAT’S GETTIN’ COLD IN ABOUT TWO SECONDS,” added another, tapping into the very British fear of lukewarm food.
Then there were the purists, who couldn’t fathom why someone would dare deviate from tradition:
“Wtf who eats this in the stadium?”
“Be a nightmare to eat, give me a f*in pie,” said another, sticking to their carb-heavy roots.
But perhaps the most practical advice came from a fan who suggested a workaround:
“Get there early, neck it before KO.”
The £6 Steal That Shook the Stadium
While some fans were busy calling out the meal’s supposed “wokeness,” others couldn’t stop raving about the value. Let’s be honest: £6 in London for jerk chicken, rice, and plantains? It’s practically a miracle.
One fan summed it up:
“That’s up there with the best value grub I’ve seen at Non-League,” while another declared that he is switching sides –
“All that for £6! I’d start supporting T&M United on the side just for that.”
For context, the average Premier League matchday Bovril will set you back £3, and don’t even start on the £10 hot dogs. This disparity wasn’t lost on one cheeky fan who quipped:
“It’s £3 for a Bovril at Chelsea 😂.”
The food itself drew high praise, with some comparing it to restaurant fare:
“That looks better than most of the food you can find at a 4-star restaurant and is well priced too. Eating shite doesn’t make you a better football fan.”
Woke? Really? Fans Push Back
Then came the backlash to the backlash. For some, the cries of “woke” were a step too far. A few pointed out that food at football matches has always been part of the experience, so why the outrage now?
“You lot have just started using ‘woke’ in the stupidest ways possible. Football matches have had food stalls as a part of the experience since forever, but because it’s jerk chicken, now it’s ‘woke’? LOL smells ray ciss to me 🤢,” said one user, calling out the deeper implications of the outrage. (Implying that fans maybe have a problem with the African cuisine and not meals in stadiums in general.)
Another took a lighter jab:
“Eating is woke 🤔🤔🤔” to which a hilarious reply came:
“Yes. Be a real man and starve, bruv.”
Another Leyton fan humorously slid in and allowed green light on his meal: “Is there an exception for the pie and mash at Leyton Orient?” (That looks banging, honestly.)
Others urged fans to let people enjoy the game however they like:
“It isn’t a Prem game, man. Let someone enjoy a lower league game ffs.”
A Meal Divided
The viral £6 meal from Tooting & Mitchum United has stirred a surprisingly complex debate about tradition, value, and, well, jerk chicken. While some fans cling to the sacred pint-and-pie combo, others welcome the culinary upgrade—especially at that price point.
Ultimately, whether you’re #TeamPie or #TeamJerkChicken, the beauty of football lies in its inclusivity. From the terraces of Tooting to the upper echelons of Stamford Bridge, there’s room for all. Just maybe finish your meal before the game kicks off—or risk those chicken wings taking flight.
