Green Smoke

By Nic

In London, I’d pay large amounts of money in eateries for what I am served at a Jets tailgate in the MetLife Stadium parking lot… Smoked brisket as big as my head? Sure. Top-quality smoked ribs with pork belly and a side of tacos? Yes, please, go on. Italian meatballs or a mountain of chicken wings?! Hell yeah!! I can truly understand why some fans I have spoken to at Meadowlands tell me “I’m just here for the tailgate.”

Anth Cook, a lead figure from Gang Green UK, and I have been to many stadiums across the pond and not just the Meadowlands. Many people who know me know my connection towards the Silver and Black, and I can remember going to Vegas in 2023 and ‘donating’ $10 at Lot J Tacos for what was easily one of the best burritos I have ever eaten. With the Jets, at the recent home opener, at D7, Donna dished us both up a massive serving of breakfast and later I ate sandwiches so big that I was sure it would be impossible to get into my mouth, and yeah, I have a big mouth and even bigger appetite LOL. At Frank ‘Jet Green Santa’ West’s tailgate, we have had the most delicious chicken burgers that will take some beating, crispy, flavoursome and seriously filling. He’s also served up hotdogs and kebabs so good that I had no issue breaking the bank in my donation to the Marty Lyons Foundation. The world-renowned Gotham City Crew always throw an amazing event, and I have had some great drinks there as the sound of shots, shots, shots belted out on the speakers. Cheers, Batman! (An in-joke)

But what about in London? We’ve had regular season games on these shores for nearly 20 years now, and 2025 will see Gang Green over here in The Smoke for the fourth time. And yeah, pub events are fantastic (who remembers Fireman Ed in The Admiralty in 2015?), but where are our tailgates? The excuse in the past has been simple, no space.

We’ve had noble attempts by NFL UK at Wembley, Tottenham, and Twickenham, but the truth is, they felt like nothing more than token offerings that were paltry compared to the real thing across the Atlantic. That was until Gang Green UK held theirs at the Brewery in 2024. An authentic tailgate for the ages! With the space, feel, and vibes of anything you’d find over in the States right here in London! And although there were lessons to be learned (only one food van?), they had checked out tailgating from different approaches, emulated different styles into it, and made it authentic but also with British twists, something our American cousins definitely appreciated. But what about a follow-up? Yeah, that’s happening…

In October 2025 for the home game against Denver, Gang Green UK will be back in the same place and even bigger and better than ever, with the guys once again checking what Americans expect and desire this time around and Anth ensuring that food and drink that are leading in New York are available over here. At the time of writing this, over 300 tickets have already been sold with over one month to go. And if you’re thinking about the donation comparisons in regards to the US providers, then rest assured that GGUK’s profits will be spread across three charities, including Prostate Cancer UK and Dogs Trust. Following the devastating loss of Tom’s niece, GGUK have also chosen Southampton Children’s Hospital as their third charity. They have chosen this in her memory.

I, for one, was mightily impressed with what was achieved last year and cannot wait to attend this one and mainly because of the one question that Gang Green UK’s founding members and admins have been asking since October 7th 2024, and that’s ‘What makes a good game day experience?’ And the answer simply is you do. You make it what it is. See you at Redemption Brewery for Week 6