“A LANDMARK pub cherished by football fans for over a century will close its doors forever in just a few hours – after 140 years serving punters. Known as the People’s Pub, it welcomed Everton FC supporters and away followers alike but has declined sharply since the men’s team shifted to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Known as the People’s Pub, it welcomed Everton FC supporters and away followers alike but has declined sharply since the men’s team shifted to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Thank you!
The Winslow is fondly known as the People’s PubCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
The Winslow Hotel is closing its doors after 140 yearsCredit: Alamy Stock Photo Located in Liverpool, The Winslow Hotel will host its final ticketed event on Saturday, January 24.
General manager Dave Bond tried sustaining it with coaches ferrying customers to matches at the new ground, but crowds dwindled to 20-25 per game.
Dave Bond, the pub’s General Manager, said: “We were getting 20-25 people per match, going from what we were getting to that, we were better off closing the doors completely.
“Once we lost the Everton fans to the degree that we did, the soul left this building.”
Opening in 1886 – predating Goodison Park – The Winslow appears in sketches from Everton’s first match there in 1892.
Former Everton player Ronny Goodlass, a regular from his 1969-1977 playing days, described the place as everything a pub should be.
He said: “It’s a bit like Goodison; it’s been here for a very long time. I wish I had half the money I had spent here!
“It’s a great place, very welcoming. A lot of Evertonians start off by coming here when they are a youngster.
“You come in here, maybe have a couple of pints before game and see a few friends.
“After an hour or two, the Everton songs start coming out.
“When you come for your first pint in here, within two weeks you’ll have friends. That’s a pub for me.”
Sarah Deboe from the Everton Heritage Society has captured images of fans outside The Winslow as part of a photography project.
She said: “The Winslow is absolutely embedded in Everton history.
“It’s been a place of celebration and solace, just a real sense of community.
It’s been embraced by players and managers alike. That’s what makes it really special… they understand the significance of this place.”
The Winslow is now holding a farewell party with 400 fans already purchasing tickets.
Manager Dave Bond says he could have ran multiple parties because of the demand for people to be there.
Dave Bond said: “When we said goodbye to Goodison, that was emotional, but this for me is going to be on another level on a personal note because of the work I’ve put in.
“And not just for me, the team and the staff, the musicians who have played here, the customers, it’s going to affect so many people.
“Once we lost the Everton fans, the soul left this building. Once they left en masse, for me the Winslow isn’t what it was.”
Ex-players, live singers, and comedians will join fans at the farewell bash, uniting Everton supporters at the pub one final time.
Around 400 fans have bought tickets to the pub’s farewell partyCredit: Anton Vierietin
Ex-players, live singers, and comedians will join fans at the farewell bash, uniting Everton supporters at the pub one final timeCredit: Alamy Stock Photo