WIDNES:- This is the first away trip of the season and unfortunately, real ale wise, possibly the poorest. Widnes is a real ale desert, so much so that only the local Wetherspoons can be safely recommended for a decent pint. You will find The Premier on Albert Road, a five minute drive or fifteen minute walk from Naughton Park. It is an old picture house which closed in the sixties. An impressive building where you will encounter the usual 'spoons offerings. Not the best of places for a crawl but the next away trip will make up for that! Enjoy your ale, enjoy the match.

Was a teetotal Clown kna abut pubs?Nowt.

His family owns one.

?????????? Translator?

Dunno, what language is it? Looks like he's talking bollox.

Nothing new there Norman. Tezzer worries me lately.

Terrific idea - will be keeping an eye on this. Thanks!

KEIGHLEY:-This is the total opposite of Widnes. Keighley is a brewery town well stocked with real ale pubs. The pubs are just that, proper boozers, not bars like in a lot of town centres nowadays. The Livery Rooms (W) is just outside the bus station and worth calling in for summat to eat if needed. The Boltmakers Arms on East Parade is Keighley's smallest pub and was my favourite for years. A pub not to be missed with the full selection of Timothy Taylors ales. Turn right out of here and left onto Coney Lane and you will find The Cricketers Arms. A couple of Taylors beers in here and usually three guests. Back up past the bus station by the roundabout you will find The Brown Cow. This is exactly what a public house should be. The beer is spot on, the service is spot on and the atmosphere is just right, no swearing in here! As a bonus, smack outside the turnstiles at the ground is Keighley Cricket Clubs bar. The last time I was at Lawkholme Lane I popped in here for a quick gill and to my surprise had a wonderful pint from The Loch Ness Brewery, amazing. Enjoy your ale, enjoy the game!

Sowerby Bridge:-This one is for fans coming off the M62 at J22 and entering Halifax from the west. The Jubilee Refreshment Rooms(RA) on Sowerby Bridge station is a great refurbishment of an old railway building. Usually 4/5 ales on in here, mainly from local breweries. The Commercial Inn (W) on Wharf Street is a relatively new addition to the 'spoons portfolio and a pretty good one at that. Look for the glass floor in the back room! Just over the road you will find the Hogshead Brew House. No expense spared here in this conversion of an old mill. Half a dozen real ales on in here, some from local Halifax breweries. The pub has it's own brewery which should be up and running soon. Enjoy your ale, enjoy the match.

SHEFFIELD:-For those of you who are able to go to Sheffield on Friday night the city has a real treat in store for the real ale fan. This is a city centre crawl as the ground is in a field near Rotherham somewhere! At the railway station you will find The Sheffield Tap (NI). A great refurbishment of an old refreshment room, the pub has a bewildering array of ales on, and although pricey its not to be missed. Exit the station and walk diagonally through the bus station and you will reach The Bankers Draft (W) A massive 'spoons on two levels. Outside jump on a tram to the West Street area and get off near The Swim inn, a Wetherspoons due to close down I am led to believe. Just behind this is The Bath Inn (NI) is Sheffield's equivalent of The Three Pigs. Six ales on in here. On nearby Wellington Street you can find The Devonshire Cat(RA) Twelve handpumps in here! and very nice food. Enjoy your ale, enjoy the match!