Watering Hole

After trekking across town to meet Martin at Terminal 4 at 8am, the roads north were clear all the way and we pulled into Macclesfield station car-park at 10:40am. Good going, Mr Deans!

We had a quick wander to the local pie shop to get something for half-time - well, to call the Cheshire Gap a pie shop is doing the place an injustice as it has a plethora of pastry commestibles. Hard to resist for someone like me but resist I did - just a meat and potato pie on this occasion.

By now it's almost 11am so time to stand outside the Waters Green Tavern looking thirsty and waiting for the doors to open - however landlady Tracey was standing on the door in expectant mood - her favourite gang of fans are back in town.

To the untrained eye, the exterior of the pub would suggest you'd be wise to walk on by and try your luck elsewhere. However, I've known the Waters Green for many years whilst spending time in Macc working at the local beer festival.

So when DAFTS needed a recommendation for our games at Moss Rose, it was an obvious choice as it ticks all the necessary boxes - only two minutes walk from the station, friendly locals, several real ales on tap and tasty pub grub. And they tolerate Lance....

And like a bad penny, Lance turns up shortly after opening with Ray Waters on a rare outing from Beverley. Soon after myriad other DAFTS join us and it's business as usual.

Following several years of excellent lunchtimes in there, the DAFTS team decided that the Waters Green was the deserving receipient of the DAFTS Pub of the Year for the 2007-08 season.

Tony and Lance presented the award to Brian and Tracey McDermott. They're no strangers to receiving CAMRA awards over the years but I suspect this is the first one they've got from a bunch of itinerant football fans.

Lance and Tony present Tracey and Brian with DAFTS Pub of the Year award

For the record, previous winners of the award were the Golden Eagle (2005-06) in Lincoln and the Gardeners Arms (2006-07) in Lewes so Brian and Tracey are in very good company.