Man who lived in FOOTBALL STADIUM reveals favourite thing about home – and impact it had on his relationship
A MAN who lived in a football stadium has revealed his favourite things about his unusual home.
Ben was one of a group of lucky tenants who could walk just a few yards from his sofa to watch the live action from the director’s box-style balcony of his stunning flat.
That’s because he lived in one of the blocks situated at each of the four corners of the Matchroom Stadium in Leyton, Greater London, home to League Two table-toppers Leyton Orient.
Perks include top-quality matchday seats from the comfort of your own home and the ability to drink alcohol in view of the pitch, which is banned in the stands due to English ground regulations.
Speaking to The Sun in 2017, Ben explained the best bits of living in such a unique home.
He said: “The idea of living in a football stadium was hard to ignore – I’d invited half my mates round before we’d signed the contract and God knows how I convinced my girlfriend to say yes to the idea.
“We stumbled upon the flat when we were looking for somewhere to live. The pictures stood out.
“Once I saw the balcony I’m not sure I even bothered to look at the kitchen or bathroom.”
He added that he was “really surprised” that the flat cost no more than the others in the area despite its view.
Ben beamed: “Living in what’s essentially a director’s box, you see all the behind the scenes stuff you wouldn’t as a typical fan.
“Like the groundsman doing his rounds, players letting their kids on the pitch post-match, the warm downs, briefings of the stewards and press activity.
“It is really nice. You can sit out on a Tuesday evening with your dinner and a cuppa watching a professional football match while your other half is watching Bake Off on the sofa within shouting range.
“And we don’t even need to buy a second telly.”
There aren’t really any drawbacks to the apartments for footie fanatics, with no need to queue up, buy tickets or pay stadium prices for food and drink.
Even when away fans have been known to chant “We can see you washing up” it has only served to lighten the matchday mood even more.
It comes after one of the other flats in the stadium went up for sale earlier this year.
Even though it boasts the same birdseye view of the soon-to-be League One side’s pitch, it went on the market for a cool £350,000 – more than reasonable for London prices.