The Winning Post, Amington

 Although The Winning Post isn’t too far from where I live it’s not a pub I use very often. It’s got some unhappy memories for me. A few years ago Blues were drawn away at Villa Park in the League Cup and, as I couldn’t get a ticket, I decided to watch the game behind enemy lines (whilst there are quite a few Blues fans in Tamworth it’s primarily a Villa area) with The Winning Post reluctantly my venue of choice. 

I thought I’d be okay, I’d grab a seat near the screen and keep myself to myself. A gang of Villa supporting youths arrived just before kick off making my need for anonymity all the more important. Blues always let you down and sure enough at nil nil Congolese midfielder Jacques Maghona was put through and was one on one with the Villa keeper, I couldn’t help myself, up I got up out of my seat and bellowed ‘Go on, Jacques, go on Jacques’….somewhat predictably he fluffed his lines but that was it, my cover was blown. So it was no surprise, when Rudy Gestede headed home the winner for Villa, that my new chums celebrated widely around me. I think I even got a ‘We can see you sneaking out’ when I attempted to leave quietly with my tail between my legs at full time !!

The Winning Post is a self proclaimed community pub (you may know this term better as an estate pub) and is one of those places that has a car park full of white vans from about 3pm onwards. At weekends punters are treated to live entertainment with some top notch acts. Harry ‘Buster’ Sax is appearing soon after returning from his Benidorm tour, and if that doesn’t inspire you brethren what about Reverend Ramoo (I’m not convinced he’s actually a man of the cloth) who his bringing his soul show? By the way the dress code is ‘adult fancy dress.’Oooh er!! 

A memorable event a few years ago was when one Bank Holiday afternoon a band set up in the car park playing some mod/new wave classics

They were actually really good, however it was always going to end in tears as they were rather loud and facing the houses opposite. Sure enough the plug was pulled just after their rendition of Eton Rifles by The Jam. The lead singer literally was left standing like a naughty schoolboy !! 

The pub follows the traditional bar and lounge format however a major change took place a few years back when the unloved and under used lounge was converted into The Royal Balti Indian restaurant and takeaway. So, if it’s your thing, you can now go to The Winning Post for your Aloo Shashlick. Naturally they cater for the brave/foolhardy/drunk punters and their Phall dishes come with the warning that they are ‘very very hot’ !! 

Another recent addition is what is described as a ‘stretch tent’ an impressive erection (stop it!!) that appeared in the summer of 2020. 

I believe it is shortly to be hired out for an 80th birthday celebration!! I’m assuming the ramp is for ease of accessibility for the Madge Mobiles !! 

Cask ale drinkers be warned, the bar is keg only and the pint of Wainwright I had during my recent visit would be classified as ‘fair’ if I apply the form guide rating once used by the much loved and sadly departed pink paper the Sports Argus. 

Similarly if you want a warm Tamworth welcome from the gaffer then this probably isn’t the place for you. I was chastised for attempting to pay for my pint contactlessly (is that a proper word?!!) ‘It’s a fiver minimum’ he balled. That said, he didn’t single me out for the rough treatment, he simply said no when asked by a customer for change for the pool table and the crowning glory was when another punter asked if he could charge his business phone behind the bar he was told **** your business !! I believe This Charming Man by The Smiths may have been written about him !!

I would also warn those of the opinion that children should be seen and not heard that there were a few pesky blighters misbehaving during my recent visit. It may have something to do with the fact that they whilst Mum and Dad were knocking back their sub standard beer their off spring were wolfing down packets of Haribo Star Mix which are available behind the bar !!

In conclusion not a pub I’d recommend.