The first time I ever came to this dive was back in ’07. Bolton Wanderers were playing West Ham on the now defunct sports network Setanta. It was the only place I could find for miles promising to screen the action. So despite Leytonstone being a massively West Ham area, I journeyed down by myself, thinking better of the replica Bolton shirt. I’d seen the opposing fixture earlier that season at my then local (also a predominantly West Ham pub). Bolton won 4-0, but it was fine. This could have been due to the fact I forced myself to look more and more miserable with every glorious goal. Still. I managed to convince myself it was due to the friendliness and sporting nature of the average West Ham fan.

Down I trotted to the Sheepwalk. At half time, Bolton were down 3 to nothing. The Ham fans should be happy then you’d think. They wouldn’t be in the mood for smashing their Hammers engraved pint glass through the face a Bolton fan – only verbally ripping into him because of the team he’s had so little foresight to foolishly associate himself with. Wrong. I learnt that day, that it’s much harder to pretend you support an opposing team when you have to cheer goals being scored against you. I thought it would be best for me to leave the venue at half time, save my knee-caps, and the landlord’s license. I’m sure he thanked me for it.

But since Gazz and I moved into the area, the place has gone through an ‘under new management’ inspired makeover. I look in there all the time, and it actually looks quite nice. Despite this, I still haven’t actually stepped inside until this past week.

More the fool me. It’s really nice in there now. They’ve given the whole place a much needed lick of paint. Re-upholstered the seats and benches. They’ve got loads of big TVs, fußball, and a pool table. During football season there’s some sort of game on four or five nights a week, the other nights they’ve got live bands, so the atmosphere’s always welcoming and friendly. And why wouldn’t it be, with drinks as cheap as £6 for a couple of pints and a bag of crisps?

Finally, the most important, and absolute best feature any pub can sport… Coat hooks under the bar. It’s an old fashioned thing I didn’t even realise existed until a good few years into my pub attending days, but I just love it when I find one, makes me feel a bit like Jason Bourne. Or some sort of Detective. Makes you look pretty impressive to the ladies too. As you walk in, offer to take her coat then just Bond it under the bar. That’s worth a bottle of top-price Champagne straight away.

BEER SELECTION: Something for everyone. Low – mid end stuff. Pints/Bottles. Magners, no Bulmers sadly but you can’t have it all. ****

COST OF A ROUND: Two drinks, packet of crisps and a game of pool for around a tenner? What d’you call that? I call it *****

STAFF: Mostly landlord/lady sorting you out. Family run so regular drinkers will get to know them. Don’t mind a spot of chit-chat, but don’t force it on you. ****

FOOD: Don’t think it’s done. *

SKIRT RATIO: Guaranteed either footie (or some sport), or a young/loud garage band in the evening. Not for girls. Maybe someone brings their Mrs. and the baby on a Saturday afternoon. *

OVERALL: Starts off well. Let down by the food and lady-level. But for a local it’s all you could ever want. For example, there’s no hand dryer in the gents, just a dirty towel. It’s got character. ****

The Sheepwalk - Leytonstone - Brought to you by James Wormald -