‘The People’s Pub’ facing Goodison is keeping a Blues’ fans matchday ritual alive next season

One of the most historic pubs by Everton’s Goodison Park ground is planning to keep a matchday ritual alive for fans after the club moves next season.

The Winslow will be running coaches from the pub to and from home games at the new Bramley Moore stadium.

That means Blues can still get their traditional pre-match pint in as always then make the return journey back to their old home after the final whistle.

Manager Dave Bond says the idea is a way to keep a tradition going that’s been around since the ground opened 133 years ago:

“The Winslow actually pre-dates Goodison by six years so from the inaugural game against Bolton in 1892, when the first ball was kicked, fans have been coming here, right up until the last ball getting kicked by the men’s senior team on May 18.

“I’ve always said the club have to move to progress in today’s modern game, and sad as it is we can’t move on with Goodison Park.

“But that’s 133 years of history and I don’t think you can ever replicate that down at Bramley Moore.

“Obviously it’s gut-wrenching for me personally, for the business and for so many fans because this has been an integral part of their matchday ritual.

“So I’m hopeful that the mindset of Goodison always being the club’s home will keep them coming back if there’s a service in place and then they can make their way to Bramley Moore from here.”

Dave says matchday revenue accounts for around 85% of The Winslow’s gross turnover in a year, with the rest coming from private parties and events, which means there’s a need to keep fans drinking there just for it to stay open.

“If we can claw back 40-50% of that by putting the coaches on I think we’ll be in a good place to stay open. There are no guarantees but I’m not one to give up so I’ll give it my best shot.”

The Winslow has definitely got Blues history in its favour – not only was it there before that first game, it’s had a long and proud association with the club and its players.

It was a favourite local of the legendary Dixie Dean after he retired but he also used to drink in there quite regularly when he was a player.

Signed memorabilia lines every wall inside and there’s a bar dedicated to goalie Neville Southall.

On matchdays, Dave estimates crowds of around 600 fans flock there from when the doors open early morning.

He added:

“If we were 10 times the size we are, we’d still fill it on a matchday,”

“The atmosphere in here pre-match is brilliant and nearly identical every game, except for Liverpool which is another level. You can set your watch by it, we open at 10am, people come in and there’s all the anticipation, everyone’s buoyant. After the match the atmosphere obviously depends on the performance and the result!”

Dave, who’s been manager at The Winslow since the end of 2014, first put out the idea of a round-trip shuttle bus a few years ago and had positive feedback from fans.

“I didn’t push it too much then, but the momentum is there now. It’ll be a return trip so we’re doing pre and post-match entertainment and we’re going to try and keep things going as they are.

“I would envisage it being lower key, but who knows? 

“The pricing will be in the region of £10-£12 for an adult and maybe £8 for juniors but for that you get a lift there and back. I’m going to get together a database so I can judge interest and there’ll be options to book match by match, month by month or a full season.”

• Anyone interested in the idea can email on: thewinslowhotel@gmail.com 

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