Drinking alcohol with a clear view of the pitch is a non-League tradition which could soon return to higher-level football.
In 1985, the passing of the Sporting Events Act preventing match-going fans from drinking with a view of the pitch at the top five levels of English football.
This followed high-profile incidents of violence at domestic matches and the Heysel Stadium disaster in May of that year, where 39 fans lost their lives ahead of the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus.
Prime minister and Everton supporter Andy Burnham indicated a desire to overturn this act in September, saying: “It is not fair for football fans to be singled out”, and compared it to other sports such as rugby and cricket.
At the Beveree Stadium, where National League South team Hampton and Richmond FC (HRBFC) were facing Ebbsfleet United, home supporters gave their perspective on expanding one of their unique selling points to the higher levels of football.
Stuart Moore (57), a lifelong HRBFC fan, explained that he wouldn’t turn his attention to higher-tier games if the legislation was lifted.
He said: “It’s a simple no … I don’t like sitting down.
“I like standing, being in it, egging the winger on so he actually hears you”.
Tommy Rance, 19, also explained the economic challenge of attending top-flight games.
Tickets have already skyrocketed in recent years, especially with the introduction of more hospitality seats in stadiums.
Rance said: “It’s so difficult nowadays to get tickets.
“To go to a top flight game and drink pitchside, the prices would be astronomical.”
The police have already expressed concern about overturning the act, too.
Speaking ahead of his retirement, Cheshire Constabulary Chief Constable Mark Roberts – the national lead for football policing and covert legislation and guidance since 2014 – cautioned Burnham against overturning the ban.
Chief Constable Roberts said: “I would really urge policymakers to listen to the people who have to deal with this, that’s the safety people at clubs, but particularly the police and the football policing unit.
“Football’s in a pretty good way at the minute. It’s safe, people feel safe to go.
“In terms of the drinking thing, people can drink before, they can drink at half-time, they can drink after. I go to games. I don’t think there’s any great massive desire for it.”
The Act not impacting levels of football below the fifth tier proved extremely beneficial to those clubs’ finances.
HRBFC Supporters’ Trust director James Dean explained how during FA Cup fixtures, where drinking is prohibited, spend per head noticeably plummets – underlining how bar turnover is a critical operational lifeline.
While acknowledging pitchside drinking is a commercial advantage for sixth-tier HRBFC, Dean also expressed his belief the core regulars would not shift to higher-profile games if that section of the Act were to be lifted by the government and echoed some of Chief Constable Roberts’ concerns,
Dean said: “One of the things that attracts me to non-League football, and has made me fall in love with it, is the more relaxed atmosphere, and the community feel.
“I suspect in no small part this is due to reduced numbers of spectators. I’ve been to Beveree when we’ve had 3,500 fans for an FA Cup match, and I didn’t like the atmosphere as much.
“The ground was congested, views were restricted, and had alcohol been allowed pitchside, then the mixture of alcohol and congestion could have created a very different atmosphere.
“Sadly, it is always the minority that spoil it for the majority, and the larger the crowd, the greater the risk of someone having had too much alcohol and behaviour being affected.”
Dean believes the reason football is currently in this position is due to the tribal affiliation within the sport, which isn’t replicated in sports like rugby or cricket.
He warned any easing of alcohol restrictions at higher levels should be undertaken in a controlled manner, such as at EFL games to see whether adults can act responsibly while at the same time testing stewarding capacity.
At the Beveree, there was a balance of lifelong fans and people who follow HRBFC while having allegiance to sides in the Premier League.
They frequently emphasised that part of the appeal of non-League football isn’t just the relaxed alcohol rules at the grounds, but also the community vibe and family-friendly atmosphere.
Arsenal supporter Dan Collins attends HRBFC frequently.
He said: “The Premier League is a product … every time I go, I’m sat next to the latest football tourist.
“Here, it’s a massive community”.
This was encouraged by Manchester City fan Adam Stevenson, 56, who explained drinking in view of the pitch is secondary to socialising with friends without the stress of elite results.
Despite Burnham’s proposal potentially threatening one of non-League football’s unique selling points, fans seem content that this would not affect attendance, atmosphere, or financial gain in their community.
It underscores their view that the sport at the lower levels is thriving for reasons other than alcohol or a legal loophole in the Sporting Events Act.
Featured images credit: Richie Luwawa
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