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.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.
it's an interesting thought. I'm all for have dedicated standing areas if people want them, so why not drinking?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?
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.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.
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.
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.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.
It’s already happening up there Ricoh anywayI’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
Yes, a young couple (almost looked like tourists taking in a game)
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.
Only two arrested from that group aparentlyPeople 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
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
Typical young people giving it large without actually doing anything...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
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.
Yes.Could you honestly be that arsed watching and caring about what other people do at the football?
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.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.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.
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.Could you honestly be that arsed watching and caring about what other people do at the football?
I'm in 20 so its more civilised than the naughty corner, more chance of being offered a boiled sweet than a line!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.
People have different motivations, for many people I know the football is just an interlude in a day out with mates.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.
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.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.
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 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.
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.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.
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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.
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
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.
I get the same to Dancing in the Street by Jagger and Bowie.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
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!
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