Booze At Scottish Football Grounds

Last updated : 26 February 2015 By Queens Mad

   

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On Friday night I could sit and watch Braehead Clan ice-hockey team face the Nottingham Panthers with a pint in my hand.

Next Friday evening I could take myself along to Scotstoun Stadium and enjoy an ale or two while Glasgow Warriors tackle Zebre Rugby.

Alternatively, I could book hospitality for £70, wolf down a three-course meal and drink like a sailor at Queen of the South’s Scottish Cup quarter-final tie with Falkirk.

But if I opt to go to that same game, and stand on the terrace at the Portland Drive End, I’m not allowed the choice of purchasing alcohol.

And this is just wrong.

The only issue in Scottish Football giving the never-ending Rangers story a run for its money just now is the booze ban.

Everybody and their granny has an opinion on it. Politicians seeing an election or two on the horizon are positioning themselves regarding it.

And those hoping to focus on other issues in our game are sick of hearing about it.

Any future lifting of a football booze ban would have little effect on me personally.

Your correspondent drives to games whether working at them or not so even sipping a gin and tonic is out the question.

But there are plenty of fans out there who would like a pint or two before watching their team.

And they should be allowed to make the choice of whether or not they want to buy alcohol.

This is not about encouraging people to drink irresponsibly or exacerbating our nation’s battle with the bottle.

If cutting down on our alcohol intake is a key factor, why are Warriors and Clan – both held up as examples of good family nights out – not told to turn off the beer taps?

You could argue that the current arrangement of football fans binge-drinking in pubs, tipping it down their necks until five minutes before kick-off is worse.

This is a matter of fairness and treating people like adults.

It is about saying to Joe Bloggs that he can have the same choices at a St Mirren v Kilmarnock Premiership game as he would at a Warriors v Munster Pro 12 match.

Why should he not?

Is it because people can still recall the running pitch battles at the 1980 Scottish Cup final after punters brought in their carry-outs?

Do me a favour.

We’re almost 35 years removed from those shameful scenes and harking back to problems of the past does not, in my view, fit in with being invited to consider ourselves as part of a Scotland which is both forward-thinking and modern.

Until we get to the football turnstiles, eh?

Selling drink at games is not going to bring the punters flocking back in the same way that a drop in ticket prices won’t have stands packed.

And how much would you actually be able to guzzle? Have you seen the queues for a pie and a bovril on matchday?

It should be up to the clubs as to whether or not they install the kegs and up to the fans to decide if they want a bevvy.

Put simply, there should be the freedom of choice.