OKEHAMPTON is gearing up for World Cup fever after two pubs were given the green light to open early in the mornings for fans to enjoy a pint while watching England battle it out on the pitch.
Football-crazy pubs the Exeter Arms and Pretoria Wine Vaults applied to Exeter Magistrates two months ago for an extension of opening hours to coincide with matches taking place in the host nation of Japan. But the applications were put on hold until a High Court decision was made.
A ruling by Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf, who declared that the World Cup was 'a special occasion of collective enjoyment', has led the way for pubs to seek the go-ahead to serve alcohol at 7am for fans watching England's first round match against Nigeria on June 12.
Landlord of the Exeter Arms Harry Carr, the first pub in the town to install a big screen four years ago for the 1998 World Cup in France, said he expected to attract large crowds and extra beer was on order.
'Okehampton is a very sporting town and lots of people are into football — we had 60 people here for England's match against Paraguay last week and that was just a friendly.
'Anybody who is into football should be in one of our pubs because the atmosphere will be great — as long as they don't mind a bit of shouting,' said Harry, who said there was no rivalry between the pubs because each had a different clientele.
England flags and banners will adorn the pubs from June 1 when the World Cup kicks off and they will open at 10am for the first England game against Sweden on June 2.
The second tie, billed as 'the big match' where England meets Argentina, is on June 7 with a 12.30pm kick-off.
If the team wins through to the second stage, the pubs will be allowed to open whenever England are playing, and if they reach the semi-finals or finals.
Manchester United fan Harry said he was very patriotic and his customers felt the same way.
'It's not about selling drinks at 7am, it's about the football and the country, so we are delighted to open for people of Okehampton and further afield. We are responding to the demand of our customers.'
Landlord of the Pretoria Doc Holliday, who is also a big rugby fan, is considering laying on breakfasts after they went down a storm for the pub's showing of the Lions' tour of Australia. The Bridge Inn at Hatherleigh is also in the process of applying for a licence.
With customers being able to celebrate victory or drown their sorrows together, landlady of the Exeter Arms Gill Carr said there would be a real community atmosphere.
'It's going to be great fun and if England score I will be as loud as the rest of them,' she said. 'The atmosphere here four years ago was absolutely electric.'
Colin Maddax, who is chairman of Okehampton Argyle Football Club, said he was 'ecstatic' that the town pubs had obtained licences to open early.
'I've been watching football in bars for quite a few years now and it is the best atmosphere — it's like standing on the terraces,' he said.
'I have the first week of the World Cup off work so I will be down there with the rest of them.'