When the fixtures come out in June one of the first ones we looked for was Halifax Town away, a trip that was sorely missed while we were in the Football League and they were in the Conference.

On our very first visit we were warned off going in the pub on the corner of the ground, also called The Shay, described by one of the locals as “a kennel”.  Instead we were sent to The Three Pigeons a little further up the road and were immediately struck by what a great old-fashioned pub it is.  That view still stands to this day, although some of us have not been in it for some time.  Apparently there was a good selection of Timothy Taylor and Osset Brewery beers on this latest visit.

Some years ago we discovered another pub that is even better within easy walking distance of the ground – The Shears.  Dating back to 1664, according to the sign on the wall, it is a warm and welcoming pub at the bottom of a cobbled street in between the mills.

Not many people know where to find it although we did encounter another group of four Harriers fans.  Timothy Taylor was also in evidence here, in years past they had the full set of Taylor beers along the bar, but now it is joined by Copper Dragon brewery from Skipton.  There were still three Taylor beers and along with two from Copper Dragon there was an enticing challenge for the beer drinkers in the party to try one of each.  Unfortunately, for the cider drinker there was only Strongbow whereas on previous visits there had been a much nicer Bulmer’s Original.  The challenge was taken up and completed in impressive style, we even made it back to the ground in time to get a programme and see kick-off.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Drinking in Woking is not a fantastic experience; there’s the Social Club on the ground or you can take a five-minute walk down the road to the nearest pub.

The Kingfield Arms seems a nice enough pub from the outside and it’s quite pleasant on the inside. It was incredibly quiet, however, with only half a dozen people there; you would have expected more locals there as it’s the nearest pub to the ground.

For the Real Ale drinker there was London Pride and nothing else. For the cider drinker there was nothing else; I was left drinking coke and was on the receiving end of a fair amount of stick from the guest supporter in our group for the rest of the afternoon. He’ll get his comeuppance when Aldershot come to Aggborough later in the season!

All in all, not a great pub by the standards of those in, say, York or Halifax, but there’s plenty worse.

Popularity: 28% [?]

A suburb of Nottingham, Arnold is a little off the beaten track but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a decent drink.

We managed to find two pubs in the same road as the ground; the Friar Tuck is right next door and The Arrow only a few minutes walk – although there is a hill to negotiate.

Both pubs are owned by the John Bullas Company and are therefore very similar. First impressions from the outside are that they are restaurant pubs as they have that big family look about them although without the Wacky Warehouse type extension. On the inside, however, there’s something for everyone with darts, pool, food, smoking and non-smoking areas, and at least three real ales for those who are that way inclined.

Between us we got through three pints each before deciding that we ought to head back to watch the game which as per usual spoiled a good night out!

Popularity: 28% [?]

Right next to the ground at Gravesend you can find The Plough, unfortunately the proximity to the ground is its best feature.

There had been at some point some Real Ale but it was off so all that was on offer was bog-standard rubbish. Not only was it rubbish but it was icy cold, too, so cold in fact that it was almost impossible to hold.

The pub was a grim little building also, so we ended up standing outside on the pavement. The locals wre friendly enough, however, and so there was no problem with us taking over their local.

All I can say is roll on Halifax, York, Morecambe, anywhere in fact!

Popularity: 27% [?]

The plan for Grays had always been the same: go in the social club at the ground.

Grays is the only club in the Conference whose social club is in the Good Beer guide so we knew straight away that that was where we were going, which saved us plenty of time walking.

A nice little club that overlooks the pitch was staffed by friendly locals and we were made to feel very welcome. There ws a good selection of beeres and they even had one named after the team, although rather disappointingly they only had Strongbow for the cider drinker in the party (ie me!).

Unfortunately it’s against the law to serve and consume alcohol within site of the pitch during a game so we had to go outside and back into the ground otherwise we would have stayed there all afternoon.

Popularity: 28% [?]