A much-loved barman, who has pulled pints for football fans at Kingsmeadow for more than a decade, will be calling last orders next month.

Bar manager Paddy Sweeney, 68, from Chessington, will retire in June after 13 years behind the bar at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in Jack Goodchild Way.

Mr Sweeney said: “A lot of people were sorry to hear that I was leaving when I told them, but I said that I was going to give it one more season last year.

“I have had great times and I could not have asked for a more exciting time in the world of football.

“Before I came here I never knew anything about football, but seeing so many fans here on match days has been a highlight.

“When I think of the friends that I have made here I will have to come along and say ‘hello’ by coming to a few of the games.”

The Dublin-born barman has previously worked as a bar manager at the University of Hertfordshire and Kingston University before moving to the home of Kingstonian FC in 2000.

He was honoured last month when he led Kingstonian’s players out on to the pitch before their London Senior Cup Final against Bromley.

He became an employee of AFC Wimbledon when the club took over the ground in 2003.

Mr Sweeney said: “When I worked at the university there would be 500 or 600 students at a gig, but to be bar manager here with more than 4,500 supporters at some games means it has certainly not been boring.”

He said another of his biggest highlights came during last year’s Olympics when Carlsberg awarded him a gold award for the quality of the bar and cellar.

He also said he enjoyed the musical side of being a bar manager and regularly organised gigs while serving during them.

AFC Wimbledon will be giving Mr Sweeney a special send-off when one of his favourite rock bands, Bad Influence, play live at the Cherry Red Records Stadium for a Paddy’s Party concert on June 15.

The event is free and all are welcome.