Considering he is a lifelong Everton fan, it’s no surprise that Andy Burnham seems to be in favour of allowing fans to drink Tin at football matches. Bouts of boardroom turmoil, points deductions and assorted relegation battles mean the lot of an Evertonian is not always a happy one. The Prime Minister believes that if he and other fans fancy a sip or two to help ease the pain of watching Thierno Barry head wide of an open goal, then that ought to be their constitutional right as proud Englishmen.
Sadly, no such right currently exists, as alcohol consumption within view of the pitch has been outlawed in the top five divisions of English football since the troubled times of the 1980s. Instead, thirsty match-goers are forced to endure an agonising wait of 45 whole minutes before rushing to the bar, joining long queues of fellow fans eager to buy pints of foaming shaft they must subsequently chug back, yard-of-ale style, in enough time to return to their seats for the start of the second half. In a move some cynical folk have described as populist political grandstanding, Burnham has correctly pointed out that in not being allowed to enjoy a pint during games, football fans are being discriminated against compared to their counterparts in sports such as cricket, rugby and horse racing.
There are different ways it could be done – it could happen on a trial basis. But I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.” While Burnham has a point, reaction to the possibility of booze returning to football match stands has been mixed.
While the sanctimonious bleating of “if you can’t last 45 minutes without a drink, then there’s something wrong with you” from the puritan brigade strikes Football Daily as reason enough for an immediate change in legislation and trebles all round, reintroducing alcohol could pose a logistical problem not previously experienced by the current generation of fans. Specifically, them being forced to repeatedly stand up and sit down again in order to make room for an endless procession of people going to and from the bars and toilets. While we’re not proud to admit it, Football Daily has attended enough rugby internationals to know exactly how annoying this can be.
The Football Supporters Association favours Burnham’s suggestion that allowing fans to bring an overpriced, flimsy receptacle of flat lager to their seats would massively enhance the matchday experience and the Premier League is obviously open to any idea that helps its members prise an extra few quid out of customers. The UK Football Policing Unit, however, is understandably less enthused. Nobody wants to come home from a football match drenched in beer, even if the only alternatives are to stay at home or start supporting Spurs.
Join Daniel Harris from 7.45pm BST for hot clockwatch action in the Nations League with Netherlands 1-2 Germany, Portugal 3-1 Wales and more. When I think I am not adding anything to the team, or that I create an atmosphere, I will be the first to go. I will take my suitcase and leave.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
