AN 89-YEAR-OLD is calling last orders behind the bar she has worked for more than 30 years.

Dot Millgate pulled her first pint at Brightlingsea Town FC – which is now Brightlingsea Regent – in 1984 but she never thought she’d still be behind the bar in 2015.

On Saturday, she pulled her final pint as the Ryman North team played their final home game of the season against Thurrock at North Road.

Mrs Millgate, who lives within throwing distance of the ground, began working behind the bar when her husband Les took it over.

She said: “We used to holiday down here and we loved the quiet part of it.

“Les took over the football club as the licensee and it went from there.”

Since then, her three daughters, Jan, Jill and Christine have also worked behind the bar at some stage.

Les died aged 69, 20 years ago.

Dot said: “I never thought I would still be here in 2015, pulling pints for everyone. These days, all the youngsters expect some glamourpuss behind the bar, and instead, they get me.

“But I have to say, they are all very kind and treat me very well.”

Her pulling power didn’t start in Brightlingsea, though, having run five pubs in north London before moving to north Essex.

She said: “I pulled my first pint in 1954. It was certainly was a different time.

“I can remember we had gin, rum and scotch in the optics and a bitter and a mild. There was no lager or anything like that.”

Nowadays, Dot is proficient in pouring lager, bitter, stout and cider, not to mention the now countless number of spirits behind the bar and – in the absence of a till – is still razor sharp in adding up punters’ tabs.

But one thing she won’t miss is the new-style beer pumps.

“It used to be the full-arm pumps which you had to pull down, but with these new things, they are so high, I can’t see over it.

“They’ve said if they get any higher, people won’t know I’m behind it.”

But Dot is certain tomorrow’s send off won’t be “goodbye”.

“Even thought I won’t be behind the bar, I shall still come down to see everyone and watch the home games.

“I’m not retiring because I can’t pull pints or because I can’t add, it’s because at my age, you can’t risk getting too many colds, so I won’t miss leaving the club at 7pm on a winter night when it’s pouring with rain and freezing cold.

“That’t when I’ll be glad I’ve retired.”

Club chairman Terry Doherty, paid tribute to Dot, saying it won’t be the same without her.

He added: “She has seen all sorts of players, staff and chairmen come and go and one of the nicest things is, when any of them come back they always recognise her and say: ‘What are you still doing here, Dot?’.

“She will really be missed around here.”