A village pub run by a former professional footballer and his wife has been named Britain’s best country pub.

The Crown Inn in Little Missenden has been awarded the accolade by the bible of Britain’s drinking houses, The Good Pub Guide, in its 2019 edition.

Trevor How, who played under Graham Taylor during Watford’s glory days in the late 1970s - even joining the team singing backing vocals on an Elton John album - before going on to play for Wycombe Wanderers and Slough Town FC, took over the Crown with his wife Carolyn in 1993.

There has been a pub on the same site for more than 250 years – and the Crown has been in Trevor’s family for almost a century.

Before Trevor and Carolyn took up residence, the pub was run for almost 30 years by his parents Doreen and Ron.

That was after Ron’s own prestigious sporting career – winning the speedway National League Championship five times and qualifying for the World Finals eight times.

Trevor said: “What I loved most about my playing days was being part of teams at family clubs and now our little team at the Crown has come out on top in the Good Pub Guide. It’s just terrific and we are so, so, thrilled.”

His mum, Doreen How, added: “It was hard work but we loved our time in the Crown and to think it’s now got a national award… well, I’ll tell you what - my Ron would be tickled pink and so proud of what Trevor and Carolyn have gone on to achieve.”

Talking about why the Crown Inn was chosen, Fiona Stapley, Editor of The Good Pub Guide, said: “The Crown in Little Missenden is the perfect little country pub. It’s run by long-serving licensees who genuinely care for both their pub and their customers - and it shows – and we get nothing but warm praise from our trustworthy readers who love the place.

“Up to four changing real ales and honest lunchtime-only food, spotlessly kept, friendly bars, an attractive sheltered garden and bedrooms in a converted barn; what more could you want?”