Mixed feelings on World Cup
Clubs around the country are reporting mixed feelings over their success or otherwise during the recent World Cup. While some clubs are claiming that things went swimmingly, others are reporting the whole event as a complete wash-out and most blame England’s exit from the tournament for their loss of earnings across the bar.
In Kent, Teresa Abery, club manageress of UK Paper Leisure, told Club Mirror that things would have been better had England stayed the course, explaining how the club was packed during England matches, but dire for non-England games.
In the North East, Frank Featherstone, chairman of the Cullercoats Crescent Club, said ‘it was just like normal times.’
“We had intended to make a big thing of it and put food on, but one thing that put people off was the noise of the Vuvuzelas, they were a pain in the backside so no, our takings were not up by thousands of pounds,” he said, adding that overall, the club was holding its own.
In the South West, David Betteridge of the Cheltenham Gas Club said it was very quiet because a lot of people were drinking at home.
At Club 35 in Carlisle, Maria Mountjoy told Club Mirror that balloons and banners were put up. “We pushed it as much as we could, but the enthusiasm was not there like it was four years ago. It was busy for England matches, but they were not interested in non-England games.”
Near Leeds, Cathy Bennett of the Wetherby Social Club said, “It was really, really, badly, appalling. There was nobody in, even though we put banners up and decorated, it made no difference at all.” She suspected that her members were going round to people’s houses with drinks from the supermarket and having a barbecue. “It was very disappointing, and we’re struggling,” she added, explaining how the club was in the process of re-financing and hoping to move forward.”
At the Lindisfare Social Club in the North East, bar steward David Harrison said the club was busier than expected. “The first two matches when we didn’t play that well weren’t bad and the third game did well too,” he said, explaining how when England was knocked out of the tournament the club was packed. “But after that it was disastrous, like a kick in the teeth. Overall, if you take every match into consideration, we did okay.”
There were mixed opinions in the West Midlands. Freda Robinson of the Jaguar Social Club in Castle Bromwich said that once England had been knocked out there was no point in putting the television on.
“Even the final didn’t bring people in; they watched it at home,” she said, glumly. “I didn’t think it was very good at all,” she added.
At The Barn Social Club a stone’s throw from Aston Villa’s home ground, Alan Warner said, “It was crap. A wash-out. We’re not really a football club to be honest and the members all tended to go to the pub, although we did have every match on. The whole thing is really poor at the moment and it’s a combination of the World Cup and the hot weather, it’s dire.”
But it was not all doom and gloom. At King’s Heath Cricket & Sports Club, manager Peter Hunt said he was happy with the way things turned out.
“I was really pleased. The England games were packed in both bars and all our promotions seemed to work, even on the night of the final.”
The club had developed a loyalty card scheme and two levels of prize draw and where food was concerned there was always the spicy chicken and mayo ‘Wagburger’, which sold very well and now has pride of place on the club’s regular menu.
“I can’t complain, apart from England going out when they did,” said Peter.
