AS THE young and young at heart step through the door they are greeted by the friendly smiles of the regulars.

Saints pictures and scarves hang across the bar, but behind the banter it doesn’t matter what team you support.

George, 59, and Jane Jameson, 52, have run the Englishman Inn on English Road, Southampton, for 21 years, moving in just months after getting married at St Andrews Church on The Avenue, Southampton.

The couple were both born in Millbrook and started their pub life running the Bricklayer’s Arms on Wimpson Lane, Millbrook.

They try to keep a friendly family atmosphere and even raised their three children there.

There’s something for everyone with darts Monday nights, crib cards night Tuesdays, karaoke Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and pool Thursdays and a themed fancy dress night once a month.

Jane said: “It’s a small local but it’s really nice because everyone knows everyone and we all help each other out.

“We get really good support from our locals.

“Some of our locals have used this pub for as long as we’ve been here and some have even been coming here longer.”

“I like the social life of running this pub and meeting all kinds of people.

“My kids ask me what I will do when I retire – I say I just won’t retire because I like working here.

“It’s a very friendly family pub.

We don’t get any trouble here.

“A lot of characters pop in, especially on karaoke nights.”

With lots of traditional pubs being forced to close, the Englishman Inn is still going strong.

Jane said: “I think being based in town helps us a lot because people can just walk home rather than worrying about taxis.”

They pride themselves on being a “proper old fashioned” local and open between 11am and midnight weekdays and stay open until 1am Fridays and Saturdays.

With a typical pint of bitter costing just £2.50 and lager £3, a tipple at this boozer won’t break the bank.

Englishman Inn, 18 English Road, Shirley, Southampton, SO15 8QF.

023 8032 0620