Mike Critchley
@mike-critchley.bsky.social
📤 231
📥 222
📝 1047
Sports writer St Helens Star and Leigh Journal. Rugby league fan, author and pub ticker.
Big thanks to Richard Stead on BBC Radio Humberside for allowing me on today to talk about Happy Hours and pubs in and around Hull.
1 day ago
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Fair play to the person who has taken the trouble to do that in Widnes
2 days ago
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The Swan in Liverpool and it’s legendary jukebox
5 days ago
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In the
@bridewell.bsky.social
- to mark 32 years this week since I met Kate
6 days ago
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Nipped into Liverpool - an old favourite
6 days ago
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A decent plug for Happy Hours in the Liverpool Echo
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
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I’ve visited nearly 2,000 pubs - these are the best in Liverpool
Mike has meticulously documented and rated every new pub he's visited in a little blue notebook
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/ive-spent-42-years-grading-33782071.amp
6 days ago
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Quite a skyline at St Helens v York tonight
8 days ago
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Sad news to report
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260721...
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Tribute to Saints stalwart and A team coach Bill Boycott, who has died aged 94
Bill Boycott, who captained Saints ‘A’ team, before becoming a vital member of the club’s backroom staff has died, aged 94
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26072141.former-saints-team-coach-bill-boycott-died-aged-93/
9 days ago
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Sky looks glorious tonight in the evening walk north of Widnes
10 days ago
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Absolutely delighted with Roger Protz’s review of Happy Hours - A Great British Pub Diary
protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2026...
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Epic crawl that stresses pubs' vital role – Protz On Beer, by Roger Protz
Journalist MIke Critchley has devoted 40 years to visiting pubs throughout the British Isles and has a feast of stories of history, architecture, good beer and breweries. He has seen…
https://protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2026/04/28/epic-crawl-that-stresses-pubs-vital-role
11 days ago
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reposted by
Mike Critchley
Roger Protz
12 days ago
A treat for pub lovers! New book by
@mike-critchley.bsky.social
journalist at St Helens Star. A Grand Tour of 1,900 British pubs. Great photos, 40 years of anecdotes, fine ales & breweries.
protzonbeer.co
protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2026...
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Still the most thought provoking bus shelter graffiti I’ve seen
12 days ago
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How Precky nearly grabbed Wembley’s first hat trick
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260573...
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How Precky could have been Wembley's first hat-trick scorer
ON this day 30 years ago Robbie Paul made rugby league history by becoming the first man to score a hat-trick of tries at Wembley
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26057326.precky-nearly-wembleys-first-hat-trick-scorer/
12 days ago
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30 years ago
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260555...
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Spot anyone you know at Wembley 1996 and Saints homecoming parade?
SPOT anyone you know from this gallery of Saints fans at Wembley 1996 - and at the home coming?
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26055578.saints-fans-wembley-1996-homecoming-parade/
13 days ago
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Legends of 1996 parade the trophies
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260559...
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Saints double-winning class of 1996 parade trophies and give guard of honour
SAINTS' double-winning class of 1996 paraded the Super League and Challenge Cup trophies ahead of Saturday's game with Wakefield
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26055951.saints-double-winning-class-1996-parade-trophies/
13 days ago
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Nice article on Happy Hours in the Birmingham Mail
www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/foo...
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33 Brum pubs listed in new book that takes a trip down memory lane
This nostalgic diary of great pub outings includes flashbacks to old boozers like the Unspoilt by Progress at Five Ways, The Barton Arms in Newtown, The Red Lion in Handsworth and The Fiddle & Bone in...
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/33-birmingham-black-country-pubs-33803844
15 days ago
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Sat down with Bobble Goulding earlier this week to talk about Saints’ Wembley win of 1996.
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260512...
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Bobbie Goulding speaks of fulfilling boyhood dream at Saints' Wembley 1996 final
Bobbie Goulding spoke emotionally about how he fulfilled his boyhood dream by steering Saints to Wembley victory in 1996
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26051204.bobbie-goulding-fulfilled-boyhood-dream-wembley-1996/
15 days ago
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They’re in full voice this morning
16 days ago
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Recalling the career of ‘Saint George’ Nicholls
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/233919...
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Recalling the career of triple award-winning packman - 'Saint George' Nicholls
ST GEORGE'S Day is an opportunity to recall the career of 'Saint George' Nicholls, who won the trio of rugby league's highest individual honours
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/23391939.50-years-saints-1978-george-nicholls---pack-legend/
16 days ago
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Clone Roses’ St Helens gig sells out in quick time
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/2604863...
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The Clone Roses homecoming gig at the Citadel sells out within hours
TICKETS for The Clone Roses' long-awaited hometown return to St Helens have sold out on the first day of going on sale
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/26048636.clone-roses-gig-citadel-sells-within-hours/
16 days ago
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Recalling the exploits of ‘Saint George’ Nicholls
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/233919...
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Recalling the career of triple award-winning packman - 'Saint George' Nicholls
ST GEORGE'S Day is an opportunity to recall the career of 'Saint George' Nicholls, who won the trio of rugby league's highest individual honours
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/23391939.50-years-saints-1978-george-nicholls---pack-legend/
17 days ago
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Will be doing a book signing for Happy Hours at the Book Stop in St Helens on Friday, May 15 12-2pm…
17 days ago
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Here’s what Paul Rowley said about Saints’ game v Wakey
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260450...
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Rowley on Wakefield, time off, Saints' resilience and not resting on laurels
IT is two v. three on Saturday when Saints take on an in-form Wakefield Trinity side at The BrewDog Stadium (5.30pm.)
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26045080.rowley-wakefield-resilience-not-resting-laurels/?ref=li
17 days ago
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Great news on The Clone Roses playing in St Helens for a
@sthelenstownafc.bsky.social
fundraiser
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/2604147...
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The Clone Roses to play hometown gig in St Helens for first time in eight years
THE Clone Roses are set to make their long-awaited hometown return to St Helens with two intimate performances at The Citadel
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/26041473.clone-roses-play-st-helens-first-time-8-years/
18 days ago
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Quick injury update on Saints centres
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260413...
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Rowley gives an update on Saints centres Deon Cross and Mark Percival
PAUL Rowley gave an update on Deon Cross and fellow three-quarters Mark Percival and Nene Macdonald
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26041371.injury-update-saints-centres-deon-cross-mark-percival/
18 days ago
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This week’s Saints Set of Six
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260378...
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Talking points - from prop options to Thursday night trips to Hull
SAINTS' win at Hull FC provoked a few talking points - around the match and beyond
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26037882.talking-points---prop-hull-thursday-recall-options/
19 days ago
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Ha! We’ve shared more than a few visits from way back - and yes ‘essential research’ for another volume is definitely in order
add a skeleton here at some point
21 days ago
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And Ye Olde White Harte, Hull
21 days ago
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And I had to drop in to two more Sheffield gems featured in the book
21 days ago
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Had to take the book to the Rutland Arms, Sheffield - and treat myself to a Rutty Butty
22 days ago
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reposted by
Mike Critchley
Ste Lingard
22 days ago
@mike-critchley.bsky.social
I can confirm The Book Shop has it - looks great! I look forward to reading it. Congratulations again.
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Popped into
@bridewell.bsky.social
- one of the great pubs featured in Happy Hours. Great to see it so busy
22 days ago
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Official publication day for Happy Hours - had to take it to Ye Cracke, Liverpool - a place I’ve been visiting for 40 years
23 days ago
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A fitting day to remember Precky
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260270...
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Remembering Steve Prescott, a sporting hero loved by Saints and Hull fans
TONIGHT’S Saints game at Hull FC is the first leg of the Steve Prescott Cup – a game that reflects the two clubs that the full back graced
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26027044.remembering-steve-prescott---man-one-million/
24 days ago
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Look what the postman has delivered…delighted that Happy Hours is finally out
#Bskybeer
25 days ago
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Loved the plug for Happy Hours on this
add a skeleton here at some point
26 days ago
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Just walked past the first pub I ever went in - The Abbey Hotel, St Helens…my first trip to the outdoor in the 1970s is in the book
27 days ago
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Another brace of tough injuries for Saints
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260151...
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How Saints' casualty list looks now after Murphy and Wingfield's injuries
SAINTS’ casualty list was added to at the weekend with winger Lewis Murphy and back row Jake Wingfield suffering injuries in the win over Catalans
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26015124.saints-casualty-list-murphy-wingfields-injuries/
27 days ago
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Good news that the Book Stop in St Helens will be stocking this…
www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-pag...
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Happy Hours – A Great British Pub Diary - Scratching Shed Publishing
by Mike Critchley FOR more than 40 years Mike Critchley has been on a journey through the character-packed pubs of the British Isles. From spit-and-sawdust backstreet boozers through to majestic Victo...
https://www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-page/autobiography/happy-hours-a-great-british-pub-diary/
28 days ago
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George bounces back from appendicitis to score twice
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260127...
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George Whitby bounces back from appendicitis with a two-try display in cup win
YOUNG half back George Whitby grabbed a brace of tries in last night’s 36-4 Challenge Cup quarter final win over Catalans Dragons.
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26012735.george-whitby-bounces-back-appendicitis-two-tries/
29 days ago
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Last one before the train home - Friends of Ham, Leeds
about 1 month ago
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Return visit to Fanny’s, Saltaire
#BskyBeer
about 1 month ago
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And up to Saltaire - Salt Beer Factory and Kitchen.
#BskyBeer
about 1 month ago
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Quick nip to Leeds, and starting off in an old favourite
#BskyBeer
about 1 month ago
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A hat-trick for Kiwi centre - This week in Saints
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/260058...
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This Week in Saints - a hat-trick for Mark Elia and 44,000 at a cup semi-final
THIS week in Saints saw a hat-trick from long-striding Kiwi centre Mark Elia at the end of his first stint in the red vee of St Helens.
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/26005801.week-saints---hat-trick-kiwi-centre-mark-elia/
about 1 month ago
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Happy Hours - A Great British Pub Diary is due to be out a week on Friday but is available to pre-order
#BskyBeer
www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-pag...
about 1 month ago
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My book, Happy Hours - A Great British Pub Diary, due out around 17 April
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/2599822...
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St Helens features prominently in a new book on a journey through British pubs
ST HELENS pubs past and present feature prominently in a new book due for release later this month
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/25998226.happy-hours---st-helens-pubs-feature-new-book/
about 1 month ago
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This time 45 years ago was heading over to Headingley dreaming of Wembley…we lost 22-5 to Hull KR after being taken apart by the Rovers pack with Steve Hartley making hay off the back of it
about 1 month ago
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Intrigued by this poster that has gone up in town today
about 1 month ago
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Dropped in on the runner up in the recent St Helens & District CAMRA pub of year awards
www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/2598256...
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A warm welcome and some quality real ale awaits at this St Helens pub
THE Cowley Vaults was recently voted runners up in the CAMRA’s recent St Helens Pub of the Year Awards - here is why
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/25982569.friendly-welcome-quality-ale-awaits-st-helens-pub/
about 1 month ago
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