FOOTBALL fever was still alive and kicking in Bricket Wood even after the demise of the England squad from the World Cup Tournament.

Set in the heart of the community, The Gate pub was the ideal place to drown my sorrows when I stumbled across the free house.

Football pennants from as far afield as Scotland, Holland, Germany, Finland and Argentina adorned the pub walls and St George's flag was still flying high. The quaint pub is situated on Smug Oak Lane, at the junction of Station Road and has a good-sized car park round the side.

Appropriately named, Bricket Wood has deep dark woods with narrow lanes leading to the common, which starts a couple of hundred yards away from The Gate pub.

Although the bar is fairly small it still stocks the usual selection of lagers, bitters and alco-pops. Prices are very reasonable I bought a pint of lager and a large coke for under £3.

Don't be put off by the rather large Alsatian dog that hangs around the the lounge it's totally harmless and very friendly.

The bar staff are very chatty and you get the feeling that a lot of the customers are locals although I was made to feel very welcome.

There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained with quiz and fruit machines inside and a large beer garden complete with picnic benches and umbrellas round the back.

The starters menu was wide and varied with soup, potato wedges, mushrooms, garlic bread and spicy jalapeno peppers.

Sandwiches start from £1.50 and jacket potatoes from £2. Meat-lovers are well catered for with a selection of mixed grills, steaks, chicken and lamb chops.

The prices are all very fair a jumbo sausage, egg and chips will cost you £4.95. The three-course Sunday lunch costs £8.95 but I've heard it's well worth it.

Vegetarians are not forgotten and have ratatouille, Quorn burgers, vegetable burgers and vegetable lasagne to choose from.

Overall I really enjoyed my afternoon in the sun at The Gate pub. And with a big screen TV, I will definitely go back when the Premier Cup gets underway in August.