GLF65: Andy P makes the case for having a pint at the game.
MINE'S A PINT……HOPEFULLY!!!!
It's fairly clear that there's a growing dissatisfaction amongst your rank and file fitba' these days that the footballing watching experience is become more and more eroded with each passing year.
We need only recollect the fortnightly battle of wills that went on between stewards and punters in the East Stand over fans wanting to stand and support their team. Folk have been ejected from grounds for the heinous crime of taking a photo or two of the game, trying to display a flag of any decent size almost guarantees you a visit from a handful of yellow jackets playing God as to whether you can display it and those before we even come to the contentious issue of what we are being asked to fork out for the privilege of the above.It's no wonder fans groups such as our own 'Well Boys '86 are campaigning under a banner of 'Reclaim the Game'.
Another area where your Scottish football fan is discriminated against is being able to enjoy a drink at a game and this is one issue where I've taken an interest.I'm possibly a strange candidate for fighting our corner in this instance seeing as its few and far between I partake before and after games.The key thing for me here though, as it is when it comes to standing up, smoking, drinking, whatever the issue is -choice.
And currently we are unfairly dictated to in so many ways when it comes to the simple matter of going about our business of attending a game of football.
In terms of alcohol at events in sporting arenas, we're currently faced with the situation where you can have a beer at a Scotland rugby international and only recently the cameras panned in on those at the Open enjoying a wee refreshment and most ludicrously of all there's the scenario where you can drink at concerts in football stadiums yet its completely taboo whenever a games actually on!
Fortunately there are one or two in high places who have identified this anomaly and are keen to foster some debate in the hope that change may be around the corner.I noted during the close season that Fife MSP John Park intends raising the issue in the Scottish Parliament after the summer recess.I contacted Mr Park and he was quick to respond outlining his proposals.These amount to modest changes and would in effect allow you have a beer or two for a short time before a game.You wouldn't for example be able to take in a cargo as in days of old, or drink at your seat during game.Only a small step forward perhaps, but a step forward nonetheless and who knows what extensions may follow if that proved to be a success.
Mr Park went on to advise that of the people's opinions he had sought, there was a 60-40 split in approval for the re-introduction of the sale of alcohol in our football grounds.He also added interestingly that Northumbria police were on record supporting the sale of beer in stadiums in England because it actually helped them with crowd control, in other words - not so much of a five-to-three charge to the turnstiles from the boozer.
Encouraged by the response from Mr Park I took it upon myself to pester my local MSP and all our Central Scotland list MSPs to encourage them to support John Park's proposals when they are up for update at Holyrood.At the time of writing, despite it being their holiday season half of them have thus far responded and each, at worst, have given their tentative backing to the plans.
Perhaps if this is something you would like to see happen you might want to do the same to let our MSPs know there is a will amongst supporters for the re-introduction of alcohol in our stadiums.
On this issue I can see several positives, as already stated we as individuals will have the choice if want to have a beer before the game, the police will benefit from having more supporters inside grounds in good time before kick-off and clubs will benefit from the additional revenues.
In terms of the bigger picture, if it comes to fruition and is successful, I can see it as perhaps the oil tanker beginning to turn around.If the authorities see we can handle this, perhaps they'll be more inclined to listen to our pleas on the re-introduction of standing at games as well.Pie in the sky perhaps, we can but try.
Oh and if and when it happens and you see me in the East Stand - mine's a pint of Miller, thanks!!!
Andy Paterson
Visit the GLF archive. Hundreds of articles.