His brothers will come in to watch him - but it's more likely to be for a coffee than a beer at 7am

Landlady, Sue Lloyd

The time difference between the UK and Japan and South Korea means some World Cup matches will kick-off at 0730 BST.

Sue Lloyd, landlady of The Crown and Liver in Ewloe, Flintshire, has sought permission to open in time for the games to allow football fans the chance of an early morning pint.

"Michael and his family live nearby so it would be nice if we could open early when England play," she said.

"His brothers will come in to watch him - but it's more likely to be for a coffee than a beer at 7am.

"I applied for the licence last week so I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed."

Licensing laws in Wales and England are governed by local magistrates.

They have the power to extend pub opening hours for "special occasions" which include bank holidays, anniversaries, the New Year's Eve and even Saints' Days.

However, televised football has previously not been deemed as a "special occasion".

However, earlier this month a pub landlord who wanted to open early for World Cup matches won his case at the High Court.

Michael Owen splashed out �750,000 on family homes

Landlord Martin Gough's application to serve alcohol at The White Hart in Bristol from 0700 BST on match days was originally turned down.

That decision was overturned in the High Court on 12 April, opening the floodgates to applications from 37,000 pubs nationwide which show live sport.

The pub in Michael Owen's village introduced a big screen for the first time to allow local people to watch the young Liverpool striker make his name on the world stage in France 1998.

Owen's luxury home is just a stone's throw away from the pub and he is reported to be a regular visitor.

Last year, he spent �750,000 on new homes for his entire family to live in Ewloe.

Work committments

His parents Terry and Janette and girlfriend Louise Bonsall are flying out to Japan and Korea for the tournament.

But due to work commitments Andy, 32, and Terry, 31, are unable to travel to the Far East.

The pair both work shifts as aircraft fitters at the British Aerospace factory in Hawarden, north Wales.

One pub regular said: "Andy and Terry and their friends are often in the Crown and Liver.

"Michael also pops in sometimes but he never drinks alcohol."