Drinking alcohol in the stands at Gtech (20 Viewers)

[Kingston Bee]

A lot more would behave than misbehave imo.

You are probably right, all i can say is that my experience of supporters coming back late to their seats at the start of each half happens every game without fail. It will only get worse if drink is allowed in the stadium, that is a fact. I have a drink in the G-Tech sometimes but not at the expense of other supporters enjoyment of the game. Once i am seated all i want to do is watch the game. Unfortunately this is another example of where the minority spoil it for the rest.

 

[hairman]

This doesn't happen at the Gtech.

Bloody well did the only time I was offered a seat in N121. Never again. Respectfully stayed seated but having to ask plonkers to move who were standing on the aisle with great big pizza boxes blocking my view. Surprised some of the people hadn't brought picnic tables with them - scoffing all game and up and down getting more and more grub and grog to keep them going.

 

[ruislip bee]

My wife walked in front of my sofa to get a tea this afternoon during the Wales game just as Damsgaard was lining up a shot. Had to shout at her to sit down! Bit like the North Stand at the Gtech close to half time!

 

[longtimeagobee]

Bloody well did the only time I was offered a seat in N121. Never again. Respectfully stayed seated but having to ask plonkers to move who were standing on the aisle with great big pizza boxes blocking my view. Surprised some of the people hadn't brought picnic tables with them - scoffing all game and up and down getting more and more grub and grog to keep them going.

Happens a lot more at friendlies & early rounds of cups, different make up of the crowd.

 

[horshambees]

You are probably right, all i can say is that my experience of supporters coming back late to their seats at the start of each half happens every game without fail. It will only get worse if drink is allowed in the stadium, that is a fact. I have a drink in the G-Tech sometimes but not at the expense of other supporters enjoyment of the game. Once i am seated all i want to do is watch the game. Unfortunately this is another example of where the minority spoil it for the rest.

Your last sentence is always the case.

The way i see it is you can take a bottle of pop to your seat so why not a bottle of Bud or Pride.
The getting up and down is a nuisance and always will be as is arriving late (good reasons in a number of cases) or leaving early (good reasons in many cases,but you buy a ticket for 90 minutes football ).
Our neighbours at the Gtech arrive late and leave early sometimes after 25 minutes so we are very much used to that.

 

[Sheerwater Bee]

I think it's more important to get a drug testing tent under each stand. Bit like they have at clubs nowadays. Need to make sure our drugs are safe and not mixed with all sorts of sh*t.

 

[Greybeard]

Yes and 80% agree with you.

Most people would call that a consensus...

If most do then it is!

 

[mhead bee]

You are probably right, all i can say is that my experience of supporters coming back late to their seats at the start of each half happens every game without fail. It will only get worse if drink is allowed in the stadium, that is a fact. I have a drink in the G-Tech sometimes but not at the expense of other supporters enjoyment of the game. Once i am seated all i want to do is watch the game. Unfortunately this is another example of where the minority spoil it for the rest.

When I am cutting it tight to get to the game it is always busy 2 -3 mins before kick off, I can't fathom how so many people simply aren't bothered. They idle along outside, f*** around with their ticklet whilst laughing and joking with their mates and then dawdle down the concourse. I am zigging in and out like the start of a marathon trying to get in before it starts. I think a lot of people don't go for the football, that or it's a lot further down the richter scale for them then it is for me.

 

[TadB]

A lot more would behave than misbehave imo.

99.99% behave perfectly, one drunk throws a bottle, and the amount of adverse publicity will be 100%.

 

[TadB]

Unfortunately the extra money the club can make will end up deciding it, and BIAS and BU wont stand in front of that. Doesnt matter if someone's toddler goes home stinking of beer, 5 blokes have a punch up because of a spilt pint, just how much ££££s can be extracted from the 'customers'.

In the 70’s before the current legislation, as the drink flowed the hooliganism increased. Police Officers patrolled inside the stadium at cost to the club. Families, women, and respectable people considered it unsavoury, and stayed away, the gates fell, as did the profits. This was considered an issue restricted to football. The current legislation was enacted, and now police no longer patrol, there is little to no problem outside in the streets. Families, children, and women etc have returned, football is now considered respectable, and profits have increased.
This was/is excellent legislation, it is working why then would any person with half a brain make the suggestion to cap it.

 

[horshambees]

99.99% behave perfectly, one drunk throws a bottle, and the amount of adverse publicity will be 100%.

One plastic bottle ?
You can get pissed in the ground without drinking while the game is on.
How many bottles have actually been launched onto the pitch in our time at the G-Tech ?
And yet there are quite a few in the ground during the game which is why i dont think it will happen.

It may happen scenario ?
Then we must ban ALL plastic bottles inside the ground ?

 

[Alex]

One plastic bottle ?
You can get pissed in the ground without drinking while the game is on.
How many bottles have actually been launched onto the pitch in our time at the G-Tech ?
And yet there are quite a few in the ground during the game which is why i dont think it will happen.

It may happen scenario ?
Then we must ban ALL plastic bottles inside the ground ?

The reason this is rarely an issue is because the people with plastic bottles filled with soft drinks currently are not the same people that will be there with a plastic bottle/cup of beer if this is changed, today they are empty handed with nothing to throw should temptation get the better of them.

 

[hobbsy]

In the 70’s before the current legislation, as the drink flowed the hooliganism increased. Police Officers patrolled inside the stadium at cost to the club. Families, women, and respectable people considered it unsavoury, and stayed away, the gates fell, as did the profits. This was considered an issue restricted to football. The current legislation was enacted, and now police no longer patrol, there is little to no problem outside in the streets. Families, children, and women etc have returned, football is now considered respectable, and profits have increased.
This was/is excellent legislation, it is working why then would any person with half a brain make the suggestion to cap it.

We didn't have Safety Advisory Groups then. It should be their responsibility not a blanket ban in law for 92 clubs.

 

[AB]

In the 70’s before the current legislation, as the drink flowed the hooliganism increased. Police Officers patrolled inside the stadium at cost to the club. Families, women, and respectable people considered it unsavoury, and stayed away, the gates fell, as did the profits. This was considered an issue restricted to football. The current legislation was enacted, and now police no longer patrol, there is little to no problem outside in the streets. Families, children, and women etc have returned, football is now considered respectable, and profits have increased.
This was/is excellent legislation, it is working why then would any person with half a brain make the suggestion to cap it.

The world has changed a bit. Back in the 80s most pubs were not very child friendly or even particularly welcoming to women or those from ethnic minorities. Some even had separate bara and rooms for those women who did want to go. Now it is pretty much generally considered respectable for women to go to pubs and bringing the kids rather than leaving them sat in the car with a lemonade and packet of crisps is fairly common.

 

[Jay Bee]

You are probably right, all i can say is that my experience of supporters coming back late to their seats at the start of each half happens every game without fail. It will only get worse if drink is allowed in the stadium, that is a fact.

People who don't need to stand outside to finish the drink they've bought are surely more likely to come back on time? With the law not keeping them outside.
So I don't think you could say it would be worse as a matter of fact.
OK maybe with more drinking time more people will push their luck and go to the bar at 2:59 and 3:59 or whatever. But some would come straight back with their one pint.

I agree that a minority spoiling things for the rest is often the case. You can say that about many things at football and public places in general.

 

[LP_Brentford]

It’s a no from me.

People will be up and down constantly whether it’s for a drink or to go to the loo…Will be annoying for us fans who actually want to watch the game.

You’ve got the pub before and after, you can surely go without for 45 minutes.

 

[Old B]

I don’t remember times in the 80s where we took drinks onto the terraces (did I get too pissed to remember). I can’t recall the Royal Oak or Paddock awash with lager? Thought most of the drinking was done by K.O.?

Not sure there is a great demand for a relaxation in the law, concourses Yes, pitchside No.

Who’s going to be the first in the South Stand to shower Kelly Cates?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I don’t remember times in the 80s where we took drinks onto the terraces (did I get too pissed to remember). I can’t recall the Royal Oak or Paddock awash with lager? Thought most of the drinking was done by K.O.?

Not sure there is a great demand for a relaxation in the law, concourses Yes, pitchside No.

Who’s going to be the first in the South Stand to shower Kelly Cates?

I'd quite like to.

 

[JCMcBee]

There is nowhere to store a pint when you are in the stands at the GTech.... placing a drink on the ground really isn't an option... neither is holding it....ie my experience at football is jumping up hands aloft when we score... penalty shout etc...its a spontaneous and immediate reaction.. football is a very in the moment sport.....my first thought wouldn't be...hold on I need to put my pint down first...even at this very simple level it's daft idea having a pint watching the game... watching cricket at Lords in the summer.... well that's a whole different ball game where having a pint in the stands is concerned... literally.

 

[marvelous007]

I have mixed views on this issue, why not do this for a trial period in the Lower Leagues for a period of time. If it came to the PL, I would prefer to have stands that are dry but still have bar access away from the pitch views.

 

[Freebee]

People already miss half the game through looking down at their phones,if this happens they'll watch the other half looking through the bottom of a glass.

 

[Jay Bee]

I have mixed views on this issue, why not do this for a trial period in the Lower Leagues for a period of time. If it came to the PL, I would prefer to have stands that are dry but still have bar access away from the pitch views.

If it's trialled in the lower leagues and there are no issues, people will rushing to be the first to say it cannot possibly be seen as a successful trial for a busy PL ground, because the PL is nothing like the lower leagues. Just like women's football, every other sport played with alcohol allowed in a full stadium/arena, men's football overseas are Not The Same.

If it didn't work because people were annihilated by full time or lobbing beer everywhere that would not be a reason to extend the trial elsewhere. IF that happened. Non-league teams seem to manage without any incidents or calls for change though so I doubt the lower leagues would have any issues.

 

[marvelous007]

If it's trialled in the lower leagues and there are no issues, people will rushing to be the first to say it cannot possibly be seen as a successful trial for a busy PL ground, because the PL is nothing like the lower leagues. Just like women's football, every other sport played with alcohol allowed in a full stadium/arena, men's football overseas are Not The Same.

If it didn't work because people were annihilated by full time or lobbing beer everywhere that would not be a reason to extend the trial elsewhere. IF that happened. Non-league teams seem to manage without any incidents or calls for change though so I doubt the lower leagues would have any issues.

You raise some good points, if it comes to PL would be in seated areas only and not apply to safe standing supporters. Or is it down to individual clubs to Police?. Does not seem to be very thought out IMHO.

 

[Jay Bee]

You raise some good points, if it comes to PL would be in seated areas only and not apply to safe standing supporters. Or is it down to individual clubs to Police?. Does not seem to be very thought out IMHO.

It would 100% be down to clubs to decide when and where it is allowed. Of course it would not be "everyone everywhere must be allowed to drink in all places". This is no more than an idea at the moment of course there is no policy from the government or the league/clubs.

I was inclined to think safe standing might be a more popular area for it to be introduced first, as people moving in and out are a bit less disruptive to those standing, and a lot of the noisy fans are likely to be the keen drinkers. Might need some cup holders if people kicking beer over is a major concern.

 

[hairman]

Happens a lot more at friendlies & early rounds of cups, different make up of the crowd.

This was against Liverpool. The block full of tourists, foodies and Liverpool fans.

 

[The Pipe]

Well if it is going to be trialled I would suggest Leeds in the EPL and Millwall in the Championship,

 

[horshambees]

The reason this is rarely an issue is because the people with plastic bottles filled with soft drinks currently are not the same people that will be there with a plastic bottle/cup of beer if this is changed, today they are empty handed with nothing to throw should temptation get the better of them.

So anyone who would like a drink during the game could be tempted to behave like an A-Hole and launch their drink on the pitch or around the stand ?
So if a 1000 people behave and 1 does not then that justifies continuing a ban at G-Tech if the ban is lifted ?


There are people who are drunk at the games and they seem to be behaving themselves despite annoying folk by going to the khazi quite often.
I cant talk for the west stand,but in the South where i sit i just get the feeling all will be very well.
I would say the East Stand would and the North Stand should be the same.

It is about time football fans were trusted to behave,but it seems that football fans (not all it has to be said) themselves are unsure how to or even want too in some cases.
Personally i doubt very much if i would drink a beer during the game,but there is no reason why the man who sits next to me should not be able to in the event of a ban being lifted.