Drinking in the stands (8 Viewers)

[chiefdave]

If the authorities did decide to unban drinking in stadiums, one way to do it would be to create mandatory "dry areas" in grounds and have segregated areas where drinking is allowed in the seating, not allowing for any movement between the two.

They do, or at least did, this at Edgbaston. They have the Hollies which their website says is for over 18s who want to party (ie: get pissed and act like twats) and on the other side of the ground there are 'dry' stands. Pre-pandemic there was talk of extending the number of dry blocks as it was proving popular.

 

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[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Well if it's banned (and that's in law, so not the club's choice) you have to restrict it. Otherwise we risk getting into licensing issues and a possible sanction like a fine which, judging by our latest accounts, we can't really afford.


If the authorities did decide to unban drinking in stadiums, one way to do it would be to create mandatory "dry areas" in grounds and have segregated areas where drinking is allowed in the seating, not allowing for any movement between the two. At the Ricoh, I'm thinking that the central 6 blocks in the East Stand and the whole West stand could be designated as drinking areas i.e. the responsible/family sections where people generally remain seated and frankly can be trusted to enjoy a pint without doing anything anti-social.

The rest of the ground where people stand, sing and are generally more rowdy would be designated "dry" to minimise the chance of trouble emerging. You would need a partition to stop people moving between the blocks, both in the bowl and on the concourse though, which might cause problems. To be fair this idea would work better at grounds (like HR!) with 4 separate stands rather than a continuous bowl.

I do think that could give us the best of both worlds;
- more revenue through F&B sales
- more people turning up who like a responsible drink at the ground
- safer/more enjoyable experience for families

Thoughts?

it's an interesting thought. I'm all for have dedicated standing areas if people want them, so why not drinking?

Like you. I would put them far away from the away fans to stop potential trouble.

Of course, some would say "I want to drink and stand/be in that section" but they'd have to chose which meant more to them.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Problems associated with Drinking during the Rugby internationals has become a major problem in Wales.
I think they now close the bars at halftime and serve weaker lager generally.

Drinking at a few England rugby games I have been too were horrendous. People literally being sick. Also had a tasty experience of Eric Hollies during T20 finals day. Start about 10am by the time it's 6-7pm there are some people who've been drinking all day and tempers are starting to fray. At least three different fights started.

Football has a reputation (somewhat deservedly) but to think other sports don't suffer from problems just isn't true.

 

[David O'Day]

They do, or at least did, this at Edgbaston. They have the Hollies which their website says is for over 18s who want to party (ie: get pissed and act like twats) and on the other side of the ground there are 'dry' stands. Pre-pandemic there was talk of extending the number of dry blocks as it was proving popular.

Yorkshire have the Western Terrace for the very same thing as the Hollies

 

[13th_choice_seamer]

I did once see a mass brawl at an England v Australia day/night ODI at Old Trafford, looked to be between Man U and Man C fans. Never reported in the media but there were about 20 blokes properly brawling and loads of people sensibly getting out of the way. But that's an exception - hadn't been helped by the start of the game being put back 4 hours due to rain, so many would have been getting smashed waiting for the cricket to start.

On the subject of drinking at Cov, I do think that the potential for aggro is one reason why the horrendously slow bar service at games has never been sorted. You generally need to queue 20-25 mins for a half time pint, so you miss either the end of the first / start of the second (or both by the time you have drunk your beer). You think they could do what some grounds do, which is to have hundreds of pints queued up ready to dish out and prevent long queues - but when you think that some fans would (quite genuinely) buy 2-3-4 just for themselves and skull them at half time, there's a public order justification for not offering a more slick service!

 

[theferret]

Do some of you actively seek out this sort of behaviour? As a block 16 season ticket holder for many years who travels to most away games, and as someone who spends 3 hours in the pub before games, I can honestly say I have never seen anyone taking cocaine, nor I have seen any evidence of it. Perhaps I'm just not very observant.

A bit of perspective needed alongside the genuine concerns. Matchday experience this season has been great for the most part. Really enjoying it this season, support so much more positive and I've not seen much change to the knobhead quota either.

 

[chiefdave]

I did once see a mass brawl at an England v Australia day/night ODI at Old Trafford, looked to be between Man U and Man C fans.

There was people going on the pitch at a Bears T20 game as they'd been a genius plan to promote the Hollies to students with a load of free tickets being given to a party organising company. Led to loads of already pissed students turning up as part of an organised night who had no interest in watching the cricket. Got a fair bit of press and Warwick had to move quickly to assure members they wouldn't do the same sort of promotion again.

 

[jimmyhillsfanclub]

 

[stay_up_skyblues]

I’ve only been racing twice (Uttoxeter and Cheltenham) and saw fights at both. All in the supposedly posher tents and all between pissed up arseholes. It’s 45 minutes in between beers, that’s it. Last thing football needs is drinking in the stands.

 

[cc84cov]

I’ve only been racing twice (Uttoxeter and Cheltenham) and saw fights at both. All in the supposedly posher tents and all between pissed up arseholes. It’s 45 minutes in between beers, that’s it. Last thing football needs is drinking in the stands.

It’s already happening up there Ricoh anyway

 

[stay_up_skyblues]

It’s already happening up there Ricoh anyway

Yes, a young couple (almost looked like tourists taking in a game) stood at the bottom of block 21 a few games ago looking around for their seats with a pint in each hand and nothing was done or said by the nearby steward. As if they were at a concert. They weren’t causing trouble or pissed up by the looks but there seems a relaxed attitude toward it.

But if it were officially allowed then it would be a free for all. Pints flying everywhere, people more pissed up and more trouble.

The bad language, occasional flare up in the stands between home and away fans and (as of yesterday) pitch invaders I’m not too concerned about explaining to my daughter. Par for the course of going up.

But fights amongst fans, fat red faced twats falling down the stands and beer showering us during goals would be a deal breaker. Drinking in the stands would bring this type of behaviour, no doubt about it.

 

[13th_choice_seamer]

Yes, a young couple (almost looked like tourists taking in a game)

They must have got off the M6 far too early and ended up at the Ricoh by mistake, no wonder they were looking around wondering where they were
"this doesn't look much like Anfield darling"

 

[fernandopartridge]

If drinking in the stand is that widespread I'm surprised there haven't been full on riots like the powers that be imply. (Granted there were some pitch invasions but no evidence at all of that being linked to drinking in the stand).

 

[Earlsdon-Loyal-Blue]

Ive seen it being passed around like it’s a cheeky hip flask. I’m 50 plus… live in a tiny village… mix with people I’ve been around for years…many respectable professionals aging from 40 to 60. And yet on nights out have had lines racked up and offered as part of a night out and been offered it as part of a football day out, asked if I want to contribute to a bag. That sort of behaviour is way back in my past but I can see how young guys would have even more opportunities and feel inclined to get on it if their mates are… then they turn into dicks… trouble is if the whole group are dicks they probably don’t recognise anything wrong in their own behaviour. As to the quality… I’ve no idea. But I think we can all imagine it’s cut with all sorts of crap in there.

People point the blame at the packet but I’m not sure where there this stuff is actually causing aggression or it’s absolute dickheads on washing powder using it as an excuse.

This is one picture doing the rounds allegedly of Preston fans after the game.

 

[Deleted member 2477]

People point the blame at the packet but I’m not sure where there this stuff is actually causing aggression or it’s absolute dickheads on washing powder using it as an excuse.

This is one picture doing the rounds allegedly of Preston fans after the game.

View attachment 23993

Only two arrested from that group aparently

 

[ccfctommy]

I blame stewards for allowing drinking smoking weed sniffing coke etc in front of kids in the ground and toilets

How do you see that as an issue ? Who’s the idiot here ? Your making yourself look a complete fool

Stewards don't go in toilets

 

[Travs]

I bumped into the Preston "lads" in Cov station at about half 6 last night. (i'd just arrived in from London).

Absolute dickheads. Though nothing different to what i've seen from Cov lads (or any other club for that matter)

 

[JAM See]

People point the blame at the packet but I’m not sure where there this stuff is actually causing aggression or it’s absolute dickheads on washing powder using it as an excuse.

This is one picture doing the rounds allegedly of Preston fans after the game.

View attachment 23993

Typical young people giving it large without actually doing anything...

Apart from the bald fella with the blue runners. How embarrassing.

 

[WillenhallSkyBlues]

Group of guys in front of me arrived at about 15 minutes, left on 38 minutes and didn't return until 60 minutes and left for good after their goal. I wonder why some people bother coming to the match. They might as well have stayed in the pub.

Could you honestly be that arsed watching and caring about what other people do at the football?

 

[JAM See]

Could you honestly be that arsed watching and caring about what other people do at the football?

Yes.

When you deliberately get an aisle seat so you don't upset other people, you do tend to notice those knobheads who are constantly coming and going.

 

[tskezz]

Read through some of this thread.

I get the concerns about drug use, especially when it's done in open view in the bogs that kids etc could see.

Aside from that though, why do any of you care if people drink in the stands or if people come up to the seats late or leave for a HT beer early.

Genuinely interested why people get so worked up about it.

 

[13th_choice_seamer]

O

Read through some of this thread.

I get the concerns about drug use, especially when it's done in open view in the bogs that kids etc could see.

Aside from that though, why do any of you care if people drink in the stands or if people come up to the seats late or leave for a HT beer early.

Genuinely interested why people get so worked up about it.

I don't think anyone is getting worked up about drinking per se. It's a problem when it turns into anti social behaviour such as sustained bad language, unpleasant taunting of opposition fans and players, pitch invasions and physical violence.

 

[JAM See]

Read through some of this thread.

I get the concerns about drug use, especially when it's done in open view in the bogs that kids etc could see.

Aside from that though, why do any of you care if people drink in the stands or if people come up to the seats late or leave for a HT beer early.

Genuinely interested why people get so worked up about it.

Good point. Well made.

I DO get slightly annoyed at people making me stand up while I'm concentrating on the game, but in the bigger scheme of things it's no big deal.

I'm one of those people who's easy going when we win and a right arsy bugger when we lose.

Still don't like to see people doing beak in the toilets without using the cubicles though.

 

[Deleted member 9744]

Could you honestly be that arsed watching and caring about what other people do at the football?

Really not bothered about it at all. They were fine and not causing any trouble. I just found it odd how little of the match they saw.

 

[chiefdave]

Read through some of this thread.

I get the concerns about drug use, especially when it's done in open view in the bogs that kids etc could see.

Aside from that though, why do any of you care if people drink in the stands or if people come up to the seats late or leave for a HT beer early.

Genuinely interested why people get so worked up about it.

I'm in 20 so its more civilised than the naughty corner, more chance of being offered a boiled sweet than a line!

The drinking isn't really the issue, and where I am its only occasional. Its more that its not supposed to be happening yet people can openly walk back to their seats with pints in hand and sit there drinking without a word being said. If you don't stop that there's a decent chance people will think they can get away with other things and we end up in the situation we're in now where people are talking about not going to games anymore.

The people constantly getting up and down is more of an annoyance, doesn't matter if its for beer or anything else. I don't really get why people can't go a couple of hours without needing to go down to the concourse multiple times for crap, overpriced food and drinks. There's people in front of me that are up and down constantly for the whole game, its weird.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Really not bothered about it at all. They were fine and not causing any trouble. I just found it odd how little of the match they saw.

People have different motivations, for many people I know the football is just an interlude in a day out with mates.

I would hate to be one of these people who drive up at 2.30pm, sit in the ground, watch the match and then drive home again immediately after.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

I'm in 20 so its more civilised than the naughty corner, more chance of being offered a boiled sweet than a line!

The drinking isn't really the issue, and where I am its only occasional. Its more that its not supposed to be happening yet people can openly walk back to their seats with pints in hand and sit there drinking without a word being said. If you don't stop that there's a decent chance people will think they can get away with other things and we end up in the situation we're in now where people are talking about not going to games anymore.

The people constantly getting up and down is more of an annoyance, doesn't matter if its for beer or anything else. I don't really get why people can't go a couple of hours without needing to go down to the concourse multiple times for crap, overpriced food and drinks. There's people in front of me that are up and down constantly for the whole game, its weird.

There was a bloke at the Bristol City game who walked past us about 10 times during the game. It didn’t really make a difference as we were stood at the front but I’d probably get a bit miffed if that’s his usual routine at games where there’s seating. I thought he was going for a smoke but maybe Im being naive.

Also the oldest looking of the three, 15 year old stewards, who I was near had no qualms about stopping another bloke going to his seat with his pint.
Fair play, I thought.

 

[tskezz]

I don't think anyone is getting worked up about drinking per se. It's a problem when it turns into anti social behaviour such as sustained bad language, unpleasant taunting of opposition fans and players, pitch invasions and physical violence.

I get that. But the issue with some of the things being said here is it paints anyone who has snuck a beer to the stand as someone who will do those things (pitch invade etc). Where as we have no idea really if the people who who are doing that are the ones drinking in the stand.

I for one couldn't pull off that same run that guy did round the pitch after a few beers.

My point is, I think, we wouldn't excuse dick behaviour because someone is drunk so I don't think we should say people shouldn't get drunk because they'll be a dick. (I know you are not directly saying this im referring to the thread in general)


I personally have bought beers up to the stands on many occasions (normally away though don't think I've done it at the cbs). It's less that I can't go without it like others are saying but more I don't want to sober up during the game and have a hangover on the trip back.

The drinking isn't really the issue, and where I am its only occasional. Its more that its not supposed to be happening yet people can openly walk back to their seats with pints in hand and sit there drinking without a word being said. If you don't stop that there's a decent chance people will think they can get away with other things and we end up in the situation we're in now where people are talking about not going to games anymore.

The people constantly getting up and down is more of an annoyance, doesn't matter if its for beer or anything else. I don't really get why people can't go a couple of hours without needing to go down to the concourse multiple times for crap, overpriced food and drinks. There's people in front of me that are up and down constantly for the whole game, its weird.

The getting away with bringing it up I get but those stewards arn't paid enough or treated well enough to go to far imo.

And yeah get the points about people getting you up multiple times, that would piss me off

 

[theferret]

O
I don't think anyone is getting worked up about drinking per se. It's a problem when it turns into anti social behaviour such as sustained bad language, unpleasant taunting of opposition fans and players, pitch invasions and physical violence.

Nobody likes to see violence, particularly in the ground. We can do without that. Pitch invasions too, aside from an end of season get promoted/avoid relegation affair - all pretty harmless if it's celebratory and at the end of a game imo. But bad language and taunting of opposing fans - have you been watching football long? These things can easily be avoided if they are that bothersome - nobody is taunting away fans from block 35.

 

[theferret]

People point the blame at the packet but I’m not sure where there this stuff is actually causing aggression or it’s absolute dickheads on washing powder using it as an excuse.

This is one picture doing the rounds allegedly of Preston fans after the game.

View attachment 23993

That's the problem when you erect fences. It gives knobheads the opportunity to gather behind them and look like they want to get through (they really don't). The fences weren't there, and fans mixed outside like they do at just above every other ground, then this stuff doesn't happen.

 

[tskezz]

Ive still not left the ground past that fence yet, I normally go for a beer after the game then get an uber later from the other side of the ground, but all i see is people moaning about it. has it just gone up this season? And I totally agree with peoples opinions on a fence like that, it puts people in a mindset to kick off that isnt there normally

 

[fernandopartridge]

As an aside I keep seeing this thread and singing in my head "What the hell am I doing drinking in the stands" to the tune of Drinking in LA by Bran Van 3000

 

[Skyblueweeman]

I would hate to be one of these people who drive up at 2.30pm, sit in the ground, watch the match and then drive home again immediately after.

To be fair, with young kids, that probably sounds like an ideal plan. Like you said different motivations. It concerns me that taking my boy to matches when he's old enough (or my baby girl when she's old enough), they're going to see all sorts of shit going on when what they should be seeing is a good game of football - hopefully!

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

As an aside I keep seeing this thread and singing in my head "What the hell am I doing drinking in the stands" to the tune of Drinking in LA by Bran Van 3000

I get the same to Dancing in the Street by Jagger and Bowie.

 

[fernandopartridge]

To be fair, with young kids, that probably sounds like an ideal plan. Like you said different motivations. It concerns me that taking my boy to matches when he's old enough (or my baby girl when she's old enough), they're going to see all sorts of shit going on when what they should be seeing is a good game of football - hopefully!

That's fair enough, though to be fair going up to the football has always exposed kids to things they wouldn't ordinarily see or hear. Granted I don't want my lad seeing people sniffing in the ground but drinking? Not sure if that's an issue.