Dear Hol’ers

I am currently undergoing a research & presentation project surrounding alcohol at football matches and the restrictions within football re; policing, segregation of fans and the overall fan experience.

As we know rugby, cricket and other sports allow drinks to be served during the game and in view of the pitch - football this is forbidden.

Do you as a football spectator, at selhurst or any ground for that matter feel you will ever be able to consume alcohol as part of the match day experience?

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

TA

RIP staffie

I went to a match at Caen recently (top division in France) and really enjoyed the fact that you can buy a beer and take it back to your seat to watch the game. Very civilised.

Oh, and very noisy home and away fans too....

I take it you have never tried to get a beer/something to eat/go to the toilet at half time?
Except in the red and blue if you have had the foresight to order one before the game.

I wouldn't be best pleased to be sitting near the end of a row having to stand up every few minutes as people shuffle past to and from to the loo and the bar. I'd rather watch the game than everyone else's back and backside. On the other hand, if I were right in the middle of a row then chances are I'd be disturbed much less by the traffic to and fro and I would get to see (almost all of) the game. Obviously though not everyone can get the seat in the middle of a row.

Having said that, it would be a great money spinner for the club to hike the price of the seats in the middle of each row for those willing to pay more to see the match.

Maybe the club, if it were feeling generous, could compensate by having extra cheap seats at the end of the rows for those who prefer to spend their time and money in the bar.

Split views about this.

Drinking never been allowed at games since I've started going. The purpose of the ban seems to be twofold. 1) To reduce intoxicated supporters. 2) To reduce confrontation.

Given that most people are watching the game I can't see how the extra beer or two a half will make that much difference to those intent on getting s*** faced anyway.

It's also created a rush for beers before kick off, at half time and after the game. If anything this creates more animosity. In terms of safety, taking a bit of a leap up, hadn't it now been established that one of the principal causes of Hillsborough due to the rush to get in before kick off? Therefore, shouldn't the authorities look to avoid it?

Also, is cramming people in to concourse to have a beer a sensible plan? On the few occasions I've ventured into the Arthur recently the concourse has been absolutely rammed. It seems it would be safer just to let people take their beers to their seat rather than herding them like cattle.

At Twickenham where drinking is allowed, rugby fans are a pain in the arse. They pay £70 plus for a ticket, yet spend half the match going to the bar. Although, at Twickenham there are so many corporate seats most of these people probably aren't rugby fans at all. These issues don't seem to be to the same extent in Cardiff. When I go to Premiership rugby games I'm normally standing where getting beers isn't really an issue at all.

So it may be the type of fan that causes the issue. It could also be the speed of the game. Rugby and cricket are both a lot more stop/start than football. Fans at our games are more likely to want to watch the game and not risk missing anything.

If you were allowed lids on your beers you could buy a load once before kick off and then go to your seat and not need to move again until the game has ended.

For those who want to have beers in the ground one thing to bare in mind is that places like Twickenham have become so corporate because you can drink constantly, attracting people that aren't interested in the game but just want to drink. You might wish to be careful what you wished for as the way football is going we could end up with the ground being full of city types, pushing up the prices and killing the atmosphere.

'Undertaking'

Bexley Dave

Can you hear the Brighton sing? I can't hear a ******* thing!

"The most arrogant, obnoxious bunch of deluded little sun tanned, loafer wearing mummy's boys I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to" (Burnley forum)