Paul Griffiths 23/01/2026 17comments  |  Jump to last

The Winslow Hotel closes its doors for the last time this weekend. There will be a celebration party on Saturday night.

I have no idea how many times I drank there in the best of company and the best of surroundings. But the memories flood back. Tears for every reason under the sun.

The matches. The mates. We celebrated wins, births, marriages, new jobs; commemorated those we lost; gave all our best to someone leaving the city to move elsewhere.

The place where we mingled with our heroes as if they were our mates. Dixie\'s local for a long while. Rotterdam heroes in each corner. A Lee lad over there and another there. Super Kev.

Good sarnies.

Bricks and mortar, but The Winslow was a personality, culture, a home. Laughs, voices, the most meaningful friendships, bubbling inside, people we have lost.

RIP you all... and now The Winslow.

 

Reader Comments (17)

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Ian Jones
1 Posted 23/01/2026 at 21:43:30
Sad but inevitable I suppose...

My Dad said he used to kick about in one of the rooms above the pub with John Humphreys, Dad to Gerry.

Sean Kearns
2 Posted 24/01/2026 at 00:36:04
The ever expanding football universe I suppose!
Jack Convery
3 Posted 24/01/2026 at 04:10:09
Open a The New Winslow at BMD. Either in the stadium or near the ground.

Given that name, it will attract Blues for years to come.

Paul Griffiths
4 Posted 24/01/2026 at 06:47:02
Apparently, Jack, the Winslow licensee is opening a new place down by the Dock.
Gerry Quinn
5 Posted 24/01/2026 at 07:46:30
So sad, but inevitable, best of luck with any new venture near BMD guys.

I will promise to have a pint or two there if I ever make it back down to "home" in the not too distant future...

Lee Courtliff
6 Posted 24/01/2026 at 07:48:55
Saw some pics of Goodison last night and it was heartbreaking! Seats ripped out, only a few people in attendance... it's starting to look like tearing it down would have been a better idea as this is just a slow death to our favourite place.

I only went in the Winslow a couple of times as it was always packed, I think the first time I went in was a pre-season friendly against PSV in '95? But it was synonymous with Everton and Goodison Park; it will be sadly missed.

Funny to think that in a few years we'll have Die-Hard Evertonians with no memory of Goodison or any of the surrounding pubs and businesses. Quite sad really.

Mick O\'Malley
7 Posted 24/01/2026 at 09:20:39
I'll have to admit, in all my years watching Everton, I've never stepped foot in the place, but for everyone that did, all those memories and good times, meeting friends, making friends etc, it's a shame.

It's probably inevitable with the loss of the matchday football fall, it's heartbreaking seeing all these pubs close. The manager said he could have had an event every day with all the interest.

Yes, Paul, the manager has got a new pub near BMD, let's hope it gives fans as many good times as The Winslow.

Paul Hewitt
8 Posted 24/01/2026 at 09:42:50
Lee @ 6. Letting the women play at Goodison was never a good idea, unfortunately the ground is sadly falling apart and looks terrible on TV now.

Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the best decisions. And knocking the old lady down, no matter how sad that would be, is probably the best option.

Michael Kenrick
9 Posted 24/01/2026 at 09:47:38
I find it hard to believe that the thousands of fans of WSL are not drinking in sufficient numbers to sustain The Winslow in perpetuity.
Dave Abrahams
10 Posted 24/01/2026 at 09:50:49
I never went in The Winslow very much, stood outside before the game plenty of times, me and Andy Crooks had a quick bevvie there before one game and I watched the Chris Eubanks v Michael Watson fight upstairs there while at a party.

Not sure how popular it was on non-matchdays because there are plenty of pubs around that area but nevertheless as a meeting place on matchdays it will be well remembered.

Paul Hewitt
11 Posted 24/01/2026 at 09:51:20
Michael its mainly family's that go the women games. Hardly going to go and get pissed in the pub are they?
Anthony Dove
12 Posted 24/01/2026 at 12:52:39
Paul@11 I think you missed the sarcasm in Michael's post. I drive past Goodison on the way to BMD and it is a sorry sight. I try not to look now.

I have always been in favour in letting the Old Lady having a dignified end so as to protect its mountains of wonderful memories.

Don Alexander
13 Posted 24/01/2026 at 18:47:11
The Winslow! That was the only place to buy a sausage and beetroot butty. hopefully!

Still, what a place and what memories.

Alan McGuffog
14 Posted 24/01/2026 at 21:58:09
So many pubs now gone in the County, City, and Goodison Roads district.

Not good for social cohesion at all. Very sad.

Paul Griffiths
15 Posted 24/01/2026 at 22:11:08
County Road has gone, Alan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7wJfeGdh9Q

Colin Glassar
16 Posted 26/01/2026 at 08:03:16
Sad to see The Winslow go. It was an iconic pub but like so many other things its time had come.

Like Anthony #12, I also believe Goodison Park should’ve been laid to rest after a dignified send off. That entire area could’ve been given a massive boost if the original plans had been followed through with.

Ian Campbell
17 Posted 27/01/2026 at 01:36:06
As has been said sad but inevitable, cant believe that no-ones bemoaned the loss of the Spella Wheres Eugene when ye need him ?

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