Joe Cole Celebrates with Locals as Margate Pub is Awarded a Huge Upgrade Ahead of Summer of Football

Last week, England football legend Joe Cole made a surprise appearance at The Lord Byron pub in Margate, delighting landlord Tony Palmer and punters alike. Joe has been leading Samsung’s UK wide campaign, that celebrates the vital role of local pubs and venues as the heart of communities. The initiative provides essential equipment and financial support, ensuring these spaces are ready to bring people together for an unforgettable summer of football excitement.

As fans gathered to watch the England game around the newly installed Samsung TVs and audio equipment, Joe delighted punters by surprisingly turning up to join in the pre-match build up.

11,000 Brits cast their votes in a nationwide search before The Lord Byron was crowned the ultimate winner this weekend. As the recipient, the pub will be equipped with thousands of pounds worth of cutting-edge TVs and audio tech, ensuring an unparalleled viewing experience for fans on match days.

Samsung’s Raise the Bar campaign shines a spotlight on one of Britain’s most important and increasingly pressured institutions, the local pub. The initiative comes at a time when research shows 87% of pubs say events like the World Cup are crucial for boosting revenue, with earnings rising by a monthly average of £10,985 during these periods.

Tony Palmer, a full-time firefighter and community champion, has transformed The Lord Byron into a welcoming hub for Margate residents, hosting a wide range of initiatives for locals, community groups and sports teams. Nearly 2,000 regulars frequent the pub, making it a cornerstone of local life after it was saved from closing during Covid by local residents clubbing together to support the institution.

Joe Cole, Ex England Football Legend, said: “There’s something truly special about pubs like The Lord Byron. It’s not just about watching football – it’s about the energy, the camaraderie, and the shared passion that brings people together. Being here with Tony and the locals this weekend reminded me why these places mean so much to fans. When you’ve got the right crowd in the right venue, every match becomes unforgettable.”

When it comes to pub-goer’s most iconic match moments, its proven lasting memories are made from game day celebrations. According to Samsung’s latest data, the most memorable football moments to watch on TV include:

1. Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick vs Spain (2018)
2. Messi’s Copa Redemption (2021)
3. Mbappé Announces Himself (2018)
4. Ronaldinho’s Lob Over Seaman (2002)
5. Messi Lifts the World Cup (2022)
6. England vs. Germany 5-1 (2001)
7. Maradona’s “Goal of the Century” (1986)
8. Spain’s Tiki-Taka Era (2008–2012)
9. Portugal Wins First Major Trophy (2016)
10. South Korea’s Historic Run (2002)

Tony, landlord of The Lord Byron and full-time firefighter, said: “The past few years have been incredibly challenging for pubs like ours. With costs rising across the board, keeping the doors open has taken real determination. From darts teams to live music nights, we put everything into creating a place where people can come together, so to receive this recognition and support genuinely means the world to us. Having Joe Cole here to mark the occasion has been the icing on the cake and moment our whole community will remember.”

Samsung’s Raise the Bar campaign created a golden opportunity for multiple venues to upgrade their tech in time for kick-off and ten other runners up⁲ are also receiving a brand-new Samsung TV to help drive footfall and bring communities together.

By combining premium TV technology with local marketing support, the initiative does more than just upgrade screens, it helps pubs thrive during this key time and encourages communities to come together to watch, celebrate and connect.

With a ‘team’ of eleven chosen from the consumer voting process, ten shortlisted venues will also receive a brand-new Samsung TV worth up to £3,000⁳, alongside local marketing support to help drive footfall.

Zeena Hill, Senior Director of Marketing at Samsung UK, said: “We’ve been blown away by the amount of people across the country that have taken part in our campaign, demonstrating the importance pubs play within our communities.

“The significance of high-quality screens and sound are essential to the matchday experience and those shared moments simply don’t have the same impact without them. The Lord Byron is a shining example of a pub that unites a community, and we’re thrilled to support Tony and his team with an upgrade that guarantees locals won’t miss a single moment of the action this summer.”

Keep up with The Lord Byron’s journey this summer of football on Facebook and with all the winners that can now #WatchitonaSamsung.