The Lion pub in Nottinghamshire says it will change its name to The Lioness if England triumph in World Cup final
- Pub bosses make pledge on social media should England become world champs
Landlords at an English boozer have vowed to change their pub’s name if the Lionesses win the Women’s World Cup.
Fans up and down the country are already gearing up to watch England’s historic clash against Spain – the first time a senior English squad has made a World Cup final since 1966.
Some 15 million people are expected to watch the match in Sydney, Australia, on TV – while thousands of others pack into pubs and fan zones nationwide to witness the spectacle.
And as excitement ramped up, bosses at The Lion pub in Basford, Nottingham, pledged to changed their name to ‘The Lioness’ should Sarina Wiegman’s squad clinch victory in Sunday’s final.
Posting on Facebook ahead of the historic crunch match, the pub said: ‘If England football team win the FIFA World Cup on Sunday we are going to rename The Lion in honour of them! Come on The Lionesses!!! We will be open from 10.45am to roar them on!’
The Lion as Basford will rename itself to The Lioness should England win the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday, bosses at the boozer pledged in a post on social media
England’s Lionesses have become the first senior national side to reach a World Cup final in 57 years (pictured is the squad during their semi-final win earlier in the week)
The gesture was welcomed by pub-goers, who threw their support behind the potential name change.
READ MORE: Beer we go! Chants of ‘It’s Coming Home’ ring put at Wembley’s Boxpark with fans at fever pitch after huge queues formed outside to get a seat as millions flock to pubs and beer gardens across the nation for World Cup final
‘That’s a wonderful idea,’ one patron said. Another commented: ‘Not a fan of pub name changes but this is a brilliant idea don’t you think.’
A third said: ‘You should do it anyway. No lions of their generation have come close.’
While one commented: ‘It is a great idea. We need more Lionesses in all their forms.’
A huge 30 million pints are expected to be downed over the next 24 hours as England fans celebrate the finals today.
Pub chain Greene King, among the biggest in the country with more than 900 venues, will be handing out free drinks to celebrate the Lionesses reaching the finals.
Fans heading to a Greene King pub can land a free drink by simply turning up in either the England kit, England colours or England face paint.
The offer will be live on Sunday from 11am to 2pm as will allow customers to enjoy anything from cask ales, lagers, craft beers, wines, spirits and mixers.
Millions of people are expected to watch the match on TV or from the pub (pictured are two fans at the Boxpark fan zone near Wembley)
It’s expected a staggering 30 million pints could be downed in pubs and at home as 15 million people watch the historic match
Ales include Green Kine IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Yardbird whilst the lagers on offer vary from Beavertown Neck Oil to Estrella. Strongbow Dark Fruits, Thatchers Gold and Aspall are among the ciders on offer whilst G&T drinkers can also get involved.
Michelle West, head of sport marketing for Greene King said: ‘The team has performed incredibly over the course of the tournament, and we’re so excited for the final against Spain this Sunday. This is the first time any England football team has been in a World Cup final since 1966 so we want to throw the ultimate celebration in all of our 900+ Sport pubs.
‘We’re asking fans to head to their local Greene King Sports pub and show their colours in support of the team, literally – all you need to do is wear England colours, kit or face paint and you can grab yourself a free drink.
‘This is a fantastic opportunity to get behind the team and continue to boost the profile of women’s sport in the UK, so join us for the ultimate party this weekend.’
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