By Tony Davies
February 25 2004

There are, apparently, 13 Pubs within a 15 minute walk of the Edgeley Park Ground Many of these are on Castle Street, a shopping area. Instructions on how to get there from the station have been given as follows: “At the end of Station Road, cross over and walk down the cobbled street along the side of the school playground. At the end of the fence, turn left and head straight on for Castle Street” On your left is the Greyhound Pub, which is reputed to serve the best pint of Boddingtons in Stockport.

Other hostelries are The Royal Oak, Prince Albert, Sir Robert Peel (known locally as the Bobby Peel), the Pineapple, Rafferties Irish Bar, the Jolly Crofter and the Grapes. The Bobby Peel is the nearest to the ground and has a small garden out the back - It is often busy on match days.

A little further afield, but well worth the effort, is The Crown. [154 Heaton Lane, off Mersey Sq. or 'under the viaduct at the bottom of the valley’. The postcode is SK4 1AR if using a map site.] This Good Beer Guide [GBG] listed pub has a wide range of excellent ales and also a real cider.

At the ‘back of the station’ is The Olde Vic [1 Chatham St, SK3 9HE], a long-time favourite which is also in the current GBG. The Armoury, Shaw Heath [SK3 8BD] has also been commended.

Not far from the ground is a Labour Club, which provided succour after the dismal on-field performance earlier this season. This establishment was notable for the keen pricing of its fayre. One should, of course, adhere to the club’s admission rules. No matter how unimpeachable one’s card-carrying credentials, one might still be required to remove a garish yellow scarf.