You are missing the point.

Its not the rules, per se.

Its the unannounced changes - real and perceived - in both the rules and the staffing that people are raising

Exactly. What are the problems perceived, that we have never heard mention of in the last hundred years, which such changes would need to address?

I noticed immediately the new security in the ground and all I saw was them walking round being obnoxious to people, thinking they owned the place constantly dictating instructions to everyone. Walking round in gangs and being intimidating. Rugby League doesn't have the crowd trouble they are obviously use to in football. Someone should enlighten them

I think I must have been at a different game to everyone else at the weekend. I missed all this heavy handed stewarding.

I think you are rather missing the point; it isn't the cap per se but the full bottle with a cap on which they see as dangerous. I assume they believe a bottle without a cap would lose most of the liquid (ie weight) and therefore do less damage if thrown.

FWIW, and only if you promise not to throw anything, I'll tel you that I usually take a couple of spare tops with me to grounds (they are virtually totally interchangeable) and as soon as I've got past the steward I put the old top on in place of the one they took off. With the double effect that it doesn't go 'flat' or spill all over my bag.

I've occasionally wondered how the catering staff would react if I took a bottle back late in the game and complained about it being flat/had some dirt in it/spilt into my bag - chances of free replacement??

Given the millions who attend sporting arenas around the world each year, is the evil of being injured by a flying plastic bottle documented as being a serious risk that the stadia need to expend millions on, in terms of the manpower cost of ensuring no single spectator ever has a bottle with a top? Or is it just a monumental case of overkill based on a mad misinterpretation of H&S rules?

Is there research which demonstrates that the clearly heinous risk of injury is eliminated by top removal? That sounds like palpable nonsense to me, but I think we should be told.

Going back a few years (Northern were playing Widnes in a cup semi-final at Station Rd, Swinton so it was probably late seventies/early eighties) my wife had her bag searched at the turnstile by a WPC. Now she'd bought two cans of orange from the shop near home before we set off, but the WPC told her they were, "dangerous weapons" and couldn't be allowed into the ground under any circumstances -she had to drink them there and then or be thrown into the bin.

The first thing I saw on the other side of the turnstile was a stall selling "dangerous weapons", sorry, cans of orange and I admit I flipped - I went to the police control and accused the inspector of taking bribes from the stall holder (shouldn't have gone into the pub before the game....) thing is he didn't have, or wouldn't give an answer, so I, spleen vented, made my escape before he could recover from my attack on his integrity, which incidentally, he denied but didn't satisfactorily refute.

We didnt experience any of these searches or anything either! We are in the usual place on the pop side and it was just the usual one steward not doing very much...

Saying that i dont notice quite a few more stewards around the ground than normal, which seemed to be a bit over the top for RL

I have to agree with FA... we have always allowed supporters to bring food/drink and this should continue, if you want to buy at the concessions you do but if you dont want a burger then bring your own sandwiches! Just makes it much more of a family and enjoyable atmosphere!

Only thing the should regulate is alcohol IMO, you shouldnt be able to rock up to the gate if a crate under your arm, beer prices seem fair at the concessions and can be controlled to stop someone getting hammered and causing a nuissance this way!

Your nose is just out of joint cos they searched your man bag and found your bus pass, a rosette emblazoned Northern, a rattle, a spare colostomy bag and a copy of Fly Fishing by J R Hartley.

Meh. You're just miffed cos you suddenly realise there's no chance now they'd let you in

I hope nobody tries to take the flask of hot chocolate off my Dad. It's been coming with us t'match for nearly 30 years.

Keep a tight grip on your Tartan rug too.

Is it lucky?

They had better not try to take my lucky socks off me either. Mind you, if they are brave enough, good luck to them.