Nine Pints

There's nothing like watching a lunchtime football match - Arsenal v Sheffield United, FA Cup 5th Round - down your favourite pub. In my case, this is the Mint, at the top of Fore Street, Exeter.

This pub was renovated - expensively, by the look of it - about a year ago; it has paid dividends. There are more people in this pub than ever before. Even during the week. And that's not just because of the cheap, £1.50 lager (weekdays, weekends 7-9pm).

It's all a bit sleek now; swish, shiney, light wooden bar and neon lights behind the counter which change colour constantly. They even have Mint uniform for the bar staff now. All very professional and yet they've kept their old-men customers aplenty. At the weekend, they're all joined by masses of young, incredibly attractive women. There are loads of them.

Well, when you've finished with the Sheffield United game - they got a thoroughly deserved draw and replay, courtesy of a last-minute penalty - there is yet more football to come. It's Saturday afternoon, after all. Neil Warnock is one of my favourite managers; he could work very well in the Premier League, where he will probably take the Blades this season. He is that rare thing in football - a manager who is managing his own, home town football club. Get on!

You have the Sky One football service and the charming, very likeable Jeff Stelling, the presenter. He's been doing this show for a few years and is the epitomy of charm and professionalism. He really is an unsung hero of British television.

Today, tellingly, Stelling is joined in the studio by Phil Thompson, assistant manager at Liverpool. That just about sums it all up. Liverpool booted out of the FA Cup by Burnley; Phil Thompson with nothing much to do on a Saturday afternoon. Maybe it gives Liverpool some rest before Bayer Leverkusen, midweek. (A hard week's football coming up with Barcelona v Chelsea on Wednesday).

Anyway, it drags on, I only have £13 but somehow manage to drink nine pints by the end of the evening. This includes a quick visit - with E - to the new Zephyr bar, just a few yards further up the hill. £1.23 for a pint of Carling - how ridiculous can it get? What happens when the 24 hour drinking arrives?

J very kindly picks me up at the end of the evening.