A Winsford boozer could play host to Rio de Janeiro merrymakers come the World Cup this summer.
The Old Star on Swanlow Lane is battling it out with hundreds of pubs across the UK to be recreated in the country which gave the world Samba and within stumbling distance of the sun-kissed beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, as part of McCoy’s Rio Local competition - the crisp brand’s biggest ever promotion.
The lucky landlord and up to nine punters of the winning pub will get to watch the beautiful game’s ultimate tournament unfold in the comforts of their own local and celebrate - or commiserate - with the locals, soaking up Brazil’s famous carnival atmosphere.
Experienced licensee Ernie Welch, who has owned The Old Star for the past five years, is urging regulars to jump on board and vote for the free house, which is currently in sixth position.
The self-confessed ‘big football fan’ - whose son is a former professional footballer who won two caps for the Republic of Ireland - said the pub has a ‘good and friendly’ rivalry between football fans.
He added: “I am very proud of my pub. We get great crowds and do lots of community and charity events.
“Considering we were in 386th position 11 days ago, it gives you an idea of how well we’ve done.
“It’s a great achievement even if we are not fortunate enough to make the final five.”
The winner will be chosen from the five pubs with the most votes by a judging panel which includes Al Murray, the Pub Landlord.
The Old Star was nominated by family friend Christina Duffy.
Christina said: “The pub is just like a little community because everybody knows each other. It’s really traditional. We have a netball team, a darts team and a football team.”
Having described Ernie as ‘the best landlord in history’ on the pub’s entry description, Christina added that he was a great role model because of his charity work for St Luke’s Hospice and that he has a ‘special twinkle in his eye’ that makes punters feel at home at The Old Star.
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