1. ˜
www.southhams-today.co.uk Friday, June 18, 2010 55
WORLD CUP FOOTBALL
DTC
It was red and white World Cup delight
on the night – until Green intervened
Words: Euan Reedie and Kristian Brunt-Seymour
Pictures: Greg Taylor, Nic Randall and the Deer Park Inn
Above left, the
indoor
football stadium at
the Deer Park Inn in
Stoke Fleming –
picture contributed
Left, England fans at
the Salcombe
Festival
Buy this picture at
www.buypicture.net
Greg Taylor 12063755
PATRIOTIC pub landlord Martin
Boulter is among scores of England
fans across the South Hams who
have caught football fever as the
World Cup has kicked off.
Martin has transformed his pool
room at the Deer Park Inn in Stoke
Fleming into a state-of-the-art
indoor football stadium complete
with official Fifa stadium seating in
England colours, a 50-inch plasma
television screen and flags and ban-
ners.
The makeover created the perfect
environment for 50 or so football
fans who turned up at the pub for
England’s opening World Cup
game against the USA last Saturday.
The seating took Martin and his
two staff members Charlie and Abi
three days to put together.
But the idea for the indoor stadi-
um was a spur of the moment thing,
said Martin. He said: ‘I wanted to
try and create the right atmosphere
that was not of an inconvenience to
the other dining guests in the
restaurant area. The aim was not to
interrupt those eating and provide a
good atmosphere for the locals,
patriots and caravan-owners and
campers who arrived.’
Despite England’s lacklustre per-
formance in a disappointing 1-1
draw, Martin said the mood in the
pub was electric.
He is hoping for another bumper
turnout at the pub – and a better
result for England – for the game
against Algeria tonight.
Martin said: ‘We’re looking for-
ward to the Algeria game at 7.30pm.
I’m sure England will get the much-
needed result. We’re expecting a
good crowd and a good game.’
Elsewhere in the South Hams last
weekend, men, women and chil-
dren sported their country’s colours
with pride ahead of England’s
opening game at various events
such as the Salcombe Festival and
the Dame Hannah Rogers School
summer fair in Ivybridge.
Pubs were packed to the rafters
as fans toasted their country’s
promising start courtesy of a goal
from Steven Gerrard – and then
drowned their sorrows when a
howler from goalkeeper Robert
Green gifted the Americans a draw.
● Are you a passionate England
supporter who has done something
weird and wonderful to support
Steven Gerrard and co such as
painting a St George’s Cross flag on
your house? Let us know and also
send in your photos in England
colours and we will endeavour to
publish a selection of them through-
out the tournament. Email Euan
Reedie at sport.shn@internet-
today.co.uk
Buy this picture aty www.buypicture.net Nic Randall 12062053
Sharon Warren, Jade and mum Lisa Ball
in high spirits ahead of the England game
at the Sparkwell summer fair
Got a story? Email Euan Reedie
at sport.shn@internet-today.co.uk
KM Presentation Day
Saturday, 26th June
Malborough Playing Fields 12.00
Hog Roast, Bar, Competitions and
Refreshments.
All are welcome not just players and members
Come along for a good
afternoon’s entertainment
Stoke Fleming - Dartmouth - 01803 771110
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DRINKS FROM £2.70
HALF TIME
BURGER AND A PINT £3.50*
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The Deer Park Inn