Barroom Banter : The Shrewsbury Arms, Oxton

Jun 8 2011 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

What do you make of all the allegations of corruption surrounding FIFA?

I’m sure it’s rife but nobody’s going to own up to it. The main man reckons he’s going to clean things up but in my opinion there’s definitely bribes going on. It’s just rife and not just in FIFA it’s probably in all types of football.

Should maintenance of Wirral’s park remain in council hands?

I think somebody else should have a go. They should privatise it and give somebody else a chance. From my own experience, the council don’t seem to put enough resources into the public golf courses. I play at Brackenwood and it’s not maintained well enough – it’s only good for about six weeks a year. Whoever would get it would have to stick to a specification and if they stick to it, it can only improve. They doubt is whether they can do that and make money out of it.

Do you think the stars of The Only Way is Essex should be paid more than £50 a day?

They’re just real people so they should get what they’re given. To be honest, if they wanted to go into acting and earn more money, that’s down to them. Maybe £50 is a bit measly, but they’re not employed so they don’t have to do it.

Should Wirral Council be sponsoring Tranmere Rovers to the tune of £125,000 when cuts are being made elsewhere?

I’m a Tranmere Rovers fan, although I only went to one game last season because I was upset by the sacking of Ronnie Moore a couple of years ago. They need a sponsor and everything helps. Wirral Council has sponsored them for many years and if the council is happy to keep sponsoring them, I don’t see any problem. The money could perhaps be better spent elsewhere but it’s not a lot compared to what a lot of sponsors will pay. I’d rather the £125,000 be spent on Brackenwood Golf Course!

A UN report published this week, recommends the legalisation of cannabis and ecstasy, do you think it’s got a point?

No comment. I’m not into drugs at all.

And finally, what’s been the big topic in your pub this week?

We’ve all been talking about whether they’d ever bring back smoking in pubs.