A King among men
It's not every day an England legend and five-times European Cup winner entertains your regulars with stories from a life in football - but for one lucky licensee that is exactly what happened.
Hilary Timms, of the Kings Arms Hotel in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, had punters queuing in the street to be one of the first through the doors to spend an evening with former Liverpool captain and England international Phil Neal after she won a competition run by the Morning Advertiser and Carlsberg.
Carlsberg, the official sponsor of the England team, ran the competition to coincide with its England Legends promotion - giving pubs the chance to win a visit from one of the team featured in the Sunday league television adverts.
The Kings Arms' customers were treated to a night of great football stories from a man who had enjoyed an exceptional career at the top of the game.
On his arrival, Neal told Timms he was there to ensure the customers "got a night to remember".
The visit was the culmination of weeks of hard work for Timms and her team.
Demand for the event had been so great the pub even ran its own competition giving Carlsberg drinkers a raffle ticket for every pint they bought. The tickets were then put into a draw to win entry to the special night.
Timms, who has been at the pub for 18 years, said only severe fog on the nearby M4 had ever caused such a high level of traffic through the picturesque town.
As throngs gathered outside the 500-year-old coaching inn, she said: "On a normal Thursday we would probably be pretty quiet and we'd have the football on the telly.
"But today has been manic. It's ticket only and all day we've had people phoning trying to get more tickets.
"It's fantastic for the pub to have Phil here."
Timms markets her pub as a café bar during the day and a sports bar at night, and heavily promotes football.
Although an Evertonian by birth, she was delighted to welcome Liverpool legend Neal. She even bought a match programme on eBay from his debut game, which he signed for her.
Neal spoke about his life and playing career, the current England set-up, his beloved Liverpool and his managerial career.
He answered questions from the punters until everyone had been satisfied, and did so with a genuine smile.
Steven Gerrard is the current player he would most liked to have played with, Graeme Souness probably the best he ever did and Maradona his toughest opponent.
While Neal spoke, the atmosphere relaxed and the Carlsberg flowed.
Timm's team handled the extra business very well - although their job was made easier because only Carlsberg was on sale.
Almost all left with a piece of Carslberg memorabilia and absolutely everyone left with some great memories and stories to tell.
Pub regular Neil Berry said: "It was great - absolutely fantastic. It was like an audience with God after being an admirer for so many years. Brilliant."
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