Don't sing when we're winning! Pub could lose its licence after ONE 'killjoy' neighbour complained about fans cheering on England in the World Cup

By JAKE HOLDEN, UK NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:37, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 11:38, 15 July 2026 A pub faces losing its licence after one 'killjoy' fan made a complaint to the council about fans cheering on England in the World Cup. Landlord Antony Lunn was left 'gobsmacked' when he received a letter about the 'ridiculous' noise complaint at his pub The Rustic Arms in Ackworth, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The warning from Wakefield Council threatened him with the revocation of his licence after reports of 'particularly bad' noise levels on Sunday, June 28, after England beat Panama 2-0 in a 10pm kick off the previous night. The pub has been 'absolutely electric' during the tournament, Mr Lunn said, who has been screening games outside in the summer sun as fans cheer in 'pure happiness' as England accelerates towards the semi-finals tonight. He added that they have caused 'no trouble' and that the football has been the 'only positive thing' in the UK currently, so it was a real 'kick in the teeth' to receive the complaint. Mr Lunn, 37, said: 'It's a ridiculous complaint. It came through yesterday, and I was a bit shocked with it. 'I looked at it, chucked it on the side, cracked out a laugh and went for a brew. Some people literally need to get a hobby.' Taking to Facebook, the pub shared a photo of the letter captioned 'buy a house near a pub then start complaining to the council the noise is too loud at the football'. Landlord of the Rustic Arms Anthony Lunn, 37, said he was left 'gobsmacked' when a 'killjoy' neighbour complained about cheering fans during England games The landlord said the pub will 'absolutely not' do anything differently when England take on Argentina in the semi-final tonight. Here worried fans watch the Norway game last Saturday Mr Lunn said the letter warned that if they received further complaints, they could revoke his licence, take him to court, or remove any equipment. Many users took to the pub's defence, with one user saying the complaint was 'hilariously stupid'. The landlord said the pub will 'absolutely not' do anything differently when England take on Argentina in the semi-final tonight. Wakefield Council claims that the complaint relates to multiple occasions of 'amplified music' and is not a one-off incident; however, Mr Lunn claims they have no outside music and that the only noise they make outdoors has been the match, including on the cited evening. Mr Lunn continued: 'I thought it's an event that happens every four years, it's pretty much the only positive thing going on in the UK at the minute that's bringing people together and then someone tries to cast a shadow over it and cause an issue. I was a little bit gobsmacked. 'They're a killjoy. For somebody to put a shadow over something so positive.. No one expected us to get so far in the tournament. It's bringing people together, and if it does make noise, it's the noise of people in pure joy. 'The pub is absolutely electric at the minute with the football. It does get loud and lairy, but it's purely when England scores. 'It's not fighting or anything negative. It's just people expressing pure happiness that their home country is winning a tournament. I don't get why that'd upset somebody. 'It is just genuinely what you'd expect from a large group watching a football match. No trouble and no drama. It's fantastic to see. He said that the tournament has been brilliant for business too as pubs struggle against Labour's crushing business rates and hikes to the minimum wage. It has been predicted that there will be 14 million pints poured at pubs tonight when England face Argentina in the much-anticipated grudge match - a higher number of beers downed during New Year's Eve. Mr Lunn added: 'The hospitality industry is dying as it is, so when there's a positive at the minute and someone tries to cast a shadow over it, it's a little bit of a kick in the teeth. 'It's the busiest we've been in years and has made a massive difference to us. Now I'm concerned the council is going to be on my back with it. 'There's no reason they couldn't have called in and spoken to me. I'd much rather they say, "Guys, look, last night that was excessive, is there anything you can do?"' Wakefield Council said the complaint was about amplified music rather than cheering fans and was an ongoing issue, but Mr Lunn disputes this, saying they do not play music outdoors The pub has been 'absolutely electric' during the tournament, Mr Lunn said, who has been screening games outside in the summer sun as fans cheer in 'pure happiness' 'It's the busiest we've been in years and has made a massive difference to us. Now I'm concerned the council is going to be on my back with it' Mr Lunn said The UK boss of Spanish brewer Estrella Luke White agreed last week that the World Cup was the only thing keeping the lights on in drinking holes as the industry staggers on. He said the football mania was 'helping keep some pubs afloat' as fans flood beer gardens and bask in the heatwave sun. Mr Lunn claimed he visited any neighbours who lived within half a mile of the pub to let them know about the extra noise before the tournament began. However, some comments on Facebook have suggested the noise was audible around a kilometre away or more, so it is unclear how close the neighbour lives. Mr Lunn said: 'It’s just the fact it’s straightaway "I’ll go to the council and create as much drama as possible." 'I think it’s a bit ridiculous that the council has acknowledged this especially as the government has extended licences and created special measures for it.' The complaint letter urged the pub to 'look into the matter and take steps to prevent any further disturbance' after the reports that there was a 'disturbance to local residents' during the night. But Mr Lunn said he would not heed the Council's advice.  Talking of the tie against Argentina yesterday, Mr Lunn added: 'We’re absolutely not going to do anything differently. We’ve got a massive game on tomorrow so we’ll do the same tomorrow. 'The council said we need to monitor the noise and could look into investing into sound restrictors and putting up fencing that could absorb noise. 'We’re busier than normal with something going on but you want me to spend all that money on something else?' People online were in support with one Facebook user commenting: 'Omg that’s hilariously stupid. Do people go around blindfolded when they buy and rent houses? There’s going to be noise from a pub.' Another user said: 'Just be a lot louder on Wednesday and do a firework display on Sunday when we win it.' A third user said: 'We could hear it all the way from the other end of the lane. It was wonderful. We had serious fomo!' A Wakefield Council spokesperson said: 'The complaints we’ve received relate specifically to amplified music. Not the noise from the coverage of sporting events or from customers. They also indicate this is a regular occurrence. Not just a one-off incident. 'We’ll continue to monitor and work with the premises.' However, Antony claims that they do not have any outdoor music and that they have only screened the match outside, so any noise complaints would have been related to the match and cheering, including on the night in question.