Ban on football fans drinking in stands is branded as discrimination

[KentFulham]

And, what would Mr Burnham's suggested move do to the hospitality industry near football grounds??

Probably nothing, this is about drinking in the stands when the game is on.

I am not particually against the idea, works in Europe for Football and in the UK for other sporting events. I guess the concern is UK football fans basically cant handle their beer and become idiots.

[Carborundum]

I really don't care about the drinking per se, but full pint glasses being navigated down the narrow rows of the JH stand will often be less full by the time they reach their destination.  You have to contort to let people pass as it is.  Sitting in beer and anything that makes it more likely that people will be trying to leave their seat whilst the game is on are not appealing propects.

[KJS]

Not a good idea at all. Concentrate of doing PM job. Leave football and managing fans to the police, clubs etc

He has a point. Many sports allow fans and expect fans to behave decently despite being allowed to take alcohol into the stands with them. Football fans can be a lot more thuggish/loutish, which is always going to be a going concern, but many fans aren't and can handle themselves properly. I think if fans drink heavily before games and seem clearly drunk beforehand then simply don't let them into the grounds.

Some good points but seriously would you be happy having to let people out on a regular basis whilst the match is going on and have beer spilt on you when they return? I know i wouldn't and that happens every timrle I go to Twickenham 🤔

[C Block]

I really don't care about the drinking per se, but full pint glasses being navigated down the narrow rows of the JH stand will often be less full by the time they reach their destination.  You have to contort to let people pass as it is.  Sitting in beer and anything that makes it more likely that people will be trying to leave their seat whilst the game is on are not appealing propects.

Agree with this entirely, I also sit in the JH and as stated you can barely move as it is, then factor in that most people under 30 have got the attention span of a squirrel, we are now going to have people continuously going back and forwards throughout the entire match,
This statement is going to do nothing for the people that actually go to football to watch football.

[St Eve]

How ridiculous

[HobGoblin]

Not a good idea at all. Concentrate of doing PM job. Leave football and managing fans to the police, clubs etc

He has a point. Many sports allow fans and expect fans to behave decently despite being allowed to take alcohol into the stands with them. Football fans can be a lot more thuggish/loutish, which is always going to be a going concern, but many fans aren't and can handle themselves properly. I think if fans drink heavily before games and seem clearly drunk beforehand then simply don't let them into the grounds.

I dont see he has any point to bring it up. He should be doing his job as PM. Not a poorly thought out comment stating discrimination. 

The Police and clubs will be totally against this and how the fans are managed is for those organisations to decide, not via a soundbite from a MP.

[Angus Telford]

Agree with most comments. Weird thing for him to pick up. It'll only make policing harder and lead to beer being spilt and thrown everywhere during the game. As a society we should be (and the younger generations generally are) moving away from these poisonous, mind-numbing opiates like booze and cigarettes, not encouraging them from the highest level of government.

[General]

Not a good idea at all. Concentrate of doing PM job. Leave football and managing fans to the police, clubs etc

He has a point. Many sports allow fans and expect fans to behave decently despite being allowed to take alcohol into the stands with them. Football fans can be a lot more thuggish/loutish, which is always going to be a going concern, but many fans aren't and can handle themselves properly. I think if fans drink heavily before games and seem clearly drunk beforehand then simply don't let them into the grounds.

Some good points but seriously would you be happy having to let people out on a regular basis whilst the match is going on and have beer spilt on you when they return? I know i wouldn't and that happens every timrle I go to Twickenham 🤔

Hasn't happened to me very much/if at all when I go to rugby matches. Most of the time people are careful and do it in a civilised way. That said it can/does happen, so I won't deny that. Personally isn't fun, but then if someone is walking my way with beer in their hands and it looks like they've overdone it, I tend to tell everyone to look out and make more space so everyone knows and the likelihood of something happening is reduced. The beer carrier knows everyones staring at them, so adds a small bit of pressure, then all the other fans/punters are doing what they can to get out of the way.

Think it's more likely to happen in away ends.

[General]

Not a good idea at all. Concentrate of doing PM job. Leave football and managing fans to the police, clubs etc

He has a point. Many sports allow fans and expect fans to behave decently despite being allowed to take alcohol into the stands with them. Football fans can be a lot more thuggish/loutish, which is always going to be a going concern, but many fans aren't and can handle themselves properly. I think if fans drink heavily before games and seem clearly drunk beforehand then simply don't let them into the grounds.

I dont see he has any point to bring it up. He should be doing his job as PM. Not a poorly thought out comment stating discrimination. 

The Police and clubs will be totally against this and how the fans are managed is for those organisations to decide, not via a soundbite from a MP.

Previous govts tried bringing in 24hr drinking licences for pubs, I'm not sure how they'd be completely against it. The main argument seems to be that football fans more than any other sets of fans are unruly and disregulated and can't be trusted with booze.

You could pour less full cups to reduce spillage if you wanted to too.

I think Burnham is doing more in his role as PM than deciding on opening up the terraces to pints. I'm sure the clubs will prefer it as long as controlled. Most stewards do very little during games, so could give them something else to do if needed.

[Friendsoffulham]

WARNING

We would like to remind EVERYBODY that this post is based around the possible return of alcohol to the terraces, NOT politics. 

Whilst we welcome this conversation based around the impacts of it being reintroduced at Fulham, what we will NOT welcome is this thread being turned into a political debate.

If that happens, then this thread will be locked/closed down and those retrospective members banned.

If you are unaware of the Forum guidelines, then they can be viewed here:

https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=51314.0

[Colton F.C.]

I am told that safe standing spaces do not come equipped with cup holders on health and safety grounds to avoid tripping hazards, obstruction in tight standing spaces, and damage during intense goal celebrations. So golden showers all round.  

Talking of which .......
...... are the current facilities particularly at the Hammersmith End up to any increase in micturition?

[KentFulham]

I dont think people will be up and down going back and forth for a pint anyway, at Twickers they supply 4 pint holders to ensure you dont need to keep going back and forth, plenty of solutions out there

[john dempsey]

This is Fulham for gods sake.
It will obviously be Waitress service.

[sarnian]

I dont think people will be up and down going back and forth for a pint anyway, at Twickers they supply 4 pint holders to ensure you dont need to keep going back and forth, plenty of solutions out there

At most games we probably have to stand up 6 to 10 times each half for people coming in late or going early either side of half time and before full time. Where am I expected to safely keep my four pint holders without spillage.

[FFC007]

I am told that safe standing spaces do not come equipped with cup holders on health and safety grounds to avoid tripping hazards, obstruction in tight standing spaces, and damage during intense goal celebrations. So golden showers all round.  

Talking of which .......
...... are the current facilities particularly at the Hammersmith End up to any increase in micturition?

The hammy end bogs will be busier than ever.

Will the upgrades be sufficient or will Mr Woolly's dynamite be required.

[Cambridge Away]

Another sound bite to boost dwindling support for this inept government, it will drive people away from going to football if they bring this back, its bad enough mow with people going in and out of their seats during a match, plus we all know people with beer will launch it if a goal is scored covering other fans with beer which in turn would probably lead to an aggressive response, its not broken dont try and fix it 🙄

I'm not really a follower of politics, but i do always check the odds on things and keep an eye on how much brainwashing is going on in general in the news and your comment about ""dwindling support for (an) inept government" doesn't really match up.  Maybe a slight drop off from when Burnham took over from Starmer (and Labour rose dramatically).
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-uk-general-election/most-seats
Over recent months it's Reform voters dwindling more than anything. And the Conservatives apparently making great strides. And that the Greens losing a load of support. Just putting the record straight.

[Friendsoffulham]

Another sound bite to boost dwindling support for this inept government, it will drive people away from going to football if they bring this back, its bad enough mow with people going in and out of their seats during a match, plus we all know people with beer will launch it if a goal is scored covering other fans with beer which in turn would probably lead to an aggressive response, its not broken dont try and fix it 🙄

I'm not really a follower of politics, but i do always check the odds on things and keep an eye on how much brainwashing is going on in general in the news and your comment about ""dwindling support for (an) inept government" doesn't really match up.  Maybe a slight drop off from when Burnham took over from Starmer (and Labour rose dramatically).
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-uk-general-election/most-seats
Over recent months it's Reform voters dwindling more than anything. And the Conservatives apparently making great strides. And that the Greens losing a load of support. Just putting the record straight.

Unbelievable, banned...

[Ruislip White]

They'd be less clamour for drinking beer during the game if we could just get a beer efficiently 20 mins before kick off and at half time.

Crazy idea - but pints could be pre poured and ready to go, just incase fans want a beer.

Instead (in the JH), you often give one person your order at half time (who is flanked by someone looking vacant). They turn around to another person who looks surprised that a lager is being ordered, before reconfirming and pouring it.  Then vacant person comes to life and takes your payment.
 
If they slickened this up a touch, I reckon we could all have our fill of beer without rushing it, and happily watch the football afterwards.

[demeant0r]

How about this? Instead of selling beer in a glass/cup, they sell beer in a pouch and there's a big straw to drink from. That would solve the big mess it would make when people move around or celebrate.

[Nick Bateman]

I was going to say the lifting of the alcohol ban would probably improve the atmosphere at the Cottage. Fulham fans are not vocal enough as opposed to other teams and wetting the whistle might release any inhibitions. I'm generally against bans anyway!