Alcohol In Scottish Football

[Ludo*1]

Do you want to see it reintroduced? I'm in favour of it but can see why many are against it. Imagine the first drink fuelled OF encounter? I know many of them are anyways, but with the permission to sell drink inside the ground.

English clubs get on fine with it, but I expect some of our games even would have a bit more poison to them. Perhaps, in terms of atmosphere all the better as long as it doesn't get out of hand?

Finally, do you think this can be a positive in regards to the amount of people attending a game?

This is with the news that Stewart Regan is talking to Police Scotland about reintroducing it.

It doesn't really matter to me one way or the other as I drive to most games.

[chomp my root]

I voted Yes but in all honesty I'll probably do it once 'just cos' and not bother again, its not something I'm bothered about personally, its more the idea that we can't be trusted to do have a drink without turning into mindless idiots. There will no doubt be people who will kick the ar** out of it and this is where it will require careful control and I wouldn't have a problem if the Police refused to allow it for derbies or promotion/relegation battles etc. Banning individuals from drinking might be the way ahead if there's problems but that would be tricky to enforce. There's plenty people get into football matches pished as it is (even though they're not supposed to) so I don't see it making that much difference to 'trouble making'.

[Cobra]

Few things annoy me more than this. Liverpool fans caused the Heysel disaster and the English generally had a much bigger hooligan problem than Scots and yet they can enjoy a pint while we can't. I wouldn't mind at all if there was a ban on Old Firm games given that they rioted 30 odd year ago but why should the rest of us be unable to do the same as the rest of Britain and Europe?

I was at Elland Road last week and the notorious Leeds fans didn't cause any bother before, during or after the game so I'm pretty sure Dees could enjoy a half time pint without causing any trouble.

Alex Salmond actually had the brass neck to say something along the lines of rugby fans can be trusted to have a pint but football fans can't so the law stays. Maybe common sense will prevail now that he's moved on.

[harry94]

Finally, do you think this can be a positive in regards to the amount of people attending a game?

No. What grounds would people actually choose to drink in? There's pubs around most stadiums that are friendly to both sets of fans.

The exceptions would be Inverness I'd imagine but most people drink on the bus up and it wouldn't be much different to what they have already (they have a small area in the Main Stand where you can purchase pies and a drink) except you would have this facility in the stand itself instead of a three minute walk.

Also, they'd just sell sponsors beer that'd be warm water downed overpriced sh**e.

Not old enough to remember when drinking in grounds was the norm but don't see what sort of difference it would make. Might be a good thing for lower league clubs who already have decent pubs to be able to serve outside but that's all I can really see.

I don't really blame legislators for not trusting football fans tbh, the sort of guys that you see following the Old Firm would probably be better off with seat belts.

[Ludo*1]

harry94, on 05 Dec 2014 - 2:51 PM, said:

No. What grounds would people actually choose to drink in? There's pubs around most stadiums that are friendly to both sets of fans.

The exceptions would be Inverness I'd imagine but most people drink on the bus up and it wouldn't be much different to what they have already (they have a small area in the Main Stand where you can purchase pies and a drink) except you would have this facility in the stand itself instead of a three minute walk.

Also, they'd just sell sponsors beer that'd be warm water downed overpriced sh**e.

Not old enough to remember when drinking in grounds was the norm but don't see what sort of difference it would make. Might be a good thing for lower league clubs who already have decent pubs to be able to serve outside but that's all I can really see.

I don't really blame legislators for not trusting football fans tbh, the sort of guys that you see following the Old Firm would probably be better off with seat belts.

Have to disagree with you on this. I reckon there's a good few people who'd end up fancying a drink at the game having previously decided not to go to the pub. I think fans would choose to drink at most grounds like they choose to eat an overpriced, lukewarm pie at most grounds.

As for drinking on the bus, this will always happen, but the police are trying their damnest to clamp down on this from occurring thus making a pint or 3 when you're in the ground that bit more enticing.

For some, all it really takes is one drink to loosen the vocal chords and a sing song is on the go.

[Mr Gandosaur]

It is not something I am bothered about - it's more the fact that football supporters aren't trusted with it that annoys me. Treating people like children is what gets under my skin.

[Billy Campbell's Ghost]

Could not really care apart from having to stand up and let latecomers along the row and have beer spilled on me.

It is a pain at concerts where folk go in and out to the bar but if its just pre-match till say 2.45 and post match till say 6pm then fine.

[Mr Gandosaur]

Could not really care apart from having to stand up and let latecomers along the row and have beer spilled on me.

It is a pain at concerts where folk go in and out to the bar but if its just pre-match till say 2.45 and post match till say 6pm then fine.

If it is the same as England, the alcohol won't be allowed in the seating areas in the stand. Only in the concourses and serving areas.

[Jamma]

I was at Goodison earlier this year and I wasn't allowed a beer out of the concourse

[GSD]

Concourses only would be acceptable,plastic glasses/proper stewarding,staff would have to be over 18 obviously,and most important don't let Lindleys near it!

[Ivan Drago]

Definitley in support of this. Honestly cannot see a negative to it.

Would regulate the flow of people into the ground and stop the rush of latecomers into the ground. Would allow the police in the ground to monitor peoples drinking rather than having folk rushing in at once and would allow the clubs much needed revenue. Would also be more family friendly for folk who fancy a quiet pint and watch the lunchtime kick off without taking the kids into a boozer.

A byelaw could easily be introduced to give control over which games they can sell drink at, much like the dry trains law. However I think it would likely be slower service and thus would actually be beneficual to controlling drink

I hate the phrase but its an absolute "no brainer" and sadly an inditement of Barry Hearns views that Scottish football does nothing to help itself. They should be lobbying the MSP's constantly about this.

[Baldee]

It is not something I am bothered about - it's more the fact that football supporters aren't trusted with it that annoys me. Treating people like children is what gets under my skin.

Totally agree.

Was down at Old Trafford and guys were buying a pie and a (plastic) bottle of beer the same way you would order a pie and bovril. Not a problem. Everything was very mature. Like others have said you can't take the beer out of the concourse... simple