Drinking during the game

So where do we stand, or sit, on drinking whilst watching a football match at The Valley?

Not since 1985 when I was barely drinking age have you been allowed to drink a pint within the sight of the pitch, but Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week that he would support lifting a ban.

Football has long been the pariah of sports in that fans cannot be trusted to sip on a beer whilst watching a match live. You can do that at rugby, cricket, horse racing, F1, tennis and even now at women’s football.

Americans are normally shocked when they realize that it is a massive no, no at British football matches. Drinking a beer and eating an outsized hotdog in American sports stadia goes together like strawberries and cream.

But, is it what we need at our games. Is it what is missing from watching our national sport live?

It is a perfectly enjoyable drinking a pint whilst at a lower non-league fixture. That is sadly rare for me to do these days, but my Hornchurch mates are still complaining that little joy was taken away from them when they got promoted to the National League.

But, drinking during the game at The Valley?

We all know why it was banned in the first place. Youngsters think you are telling porkies when you regale them of stories of going to football in the eighties, and I get pretty uncomfortable myself when I think about some of the situations I used to find myself in.

Still today they take the top of your bottled water off when entering a stadium fearful that you will launch it at an opposition left back.

For most of a few generations it will be weird sitting or standing during a game holding a pint. Most of us that enjoy a drink with our football find plenty of opportunity to have a pre and post match one at a local hostelry or in Bartrams or the Fan’s Bar.

I usually give a half time snifter a miss as well the queues are too long and it will only mean that I will probably have to nip downstairs for a 2nd half pee.

And that is just one of the reasons I wouldn’t want to see it allowed. I have long accepted that you get treated like a child or a hooligan when you go to football, but the game and the experience has changed beyond recognition from that of standing on a crumbling terrace and fearing for your life as you walked to the station.

Surely adults can wait 45 minutes until their next drink? That is hardly a atrocious restriction to one’s basic rights.

In practical terms the re-introduction of drinking in your seat, which is a lot different from standing on a terrace leaning against a crush barrier, will bring the small annoyances of people pushing by you to go to the toilet or the bar for another one, and then spilling one over you on their walk back.

Heaven help us if the Covered End becomes like Box-Park or the outdoor fan parks when we score a goal. We’ll all get home covered in beer. Plus, the game has done so much to make it family friendly and alcohol is not going to help how some men act towards women in front of their mates, sadly.

And of course theres the more likely chance it will kick off as fans are fuelled by extra fighting juice. Football grounds are nearly all safe havens to watch the beautiful game these days but groups of football fans, especially those with a few unnecessary extra beers in them, do have the capacity to make it an intimidating experience for those around them.

Like the 8-team play-off places, clubs will see an opportunity to make more money. Blokes roaming the isles up and down the steps with a large tray of beers around his neck selling them, anyone?

I am sure there will be a load of studies and test runs done and maybe more booze won’t be consumed at a game. Perhaps it allows you to sip on what’s left in your glass at your seat as opposed to downing it at 2.55pm.

Does Andy Burnham’s idea improve the Charlton experience, is this just attempting to fix a problem that doesn’t really exist?

I’d be interested in your views.