Drinking on the street is against the law. Underage drinking is against the law. Serving alcohol to people who are intoxicated is against the law.

Of course peoples drinking does impact on others around them. See Wembley for that.

I haven't got a problem per se with people (who able to do so) having a drink on the concourse and keeping themselves to themselves. But its when they cause a nuisance on the terraces is when it becomes more of a problem, especially when there are children around.

Why should those of us who know our limits be punished because of those who can't?

I've never got in a fight through booze. I bet 90% of people who do were looking for trouble anyway, and use alcohol either for courage or as an excuse for their behaviour.

Jeeze, you'd hardly be being punished are you??? An hour a week at most without a drink. Or not being able to drink on the terraces at the rugby. No real punishment is it?

Whilst we are being draconian I think they should ban the pies and mushy pea combo. The noxious, odious, digestive gasses this fayre creates when consumed at the game affects my enjoyment in general, and upsets my delicate sensibilities in particular.

I always have a few beers before games at the HJ, it's all part of the matchday experience. As someone has already said, those who want to drink ale and then cause trouble will do it whatever you try to do to stop it. At the Featherstone cup match there were people in the town centre at opening time. I walked through the town from Bridge Foot an hour before the game and then had a couple of beers in the Red Lion. From the Hop Pole onwards I was amazed at the number of drunken verbally aggressive Fev supporters staggering from Pub to Pub. I tried to start a conversation with a couple of people in the Lion and was told to 'F Off.'
There were further problems in the ground as most of them walked in just after kick-off and expected to stand in a particularly busy area of the South Stand and the Stewards were subject to considerable abuse.
The only long term solution is to ensure that these people are banned from matches. Stopping beer sales will just penalise the normal law abiding supporter who likes a beer.

Taking in all that has been posted, would to me seem the best idea would be to only allow people to drink beer in the concourses and stopped from taking it onto the terrace. The people who can't go an hour without ale can have a drink, but the time to drink would be reduced, so less intake less drunk people.

In the stands, no beer that can be thrown over people Would seem to be the logical idea.

Also at half time have a steward (Who's not afraid of doing his job) for each bar to ensure underage fools don't get served and also check if someone is already in a state.

Not ideal for all but hay just a thought,

Jack.

Thats what I'm talking about Jack!

To be honest i don't drink during the game i have a couple of pints in the Ridney before then i go into the ground to watch a game of rugby and to be honest i do wonder why people need a drink at the match even to the point of missing some of the game whilst queing. However, that is my personal oppinion and a lot of people do enjoy a drink whilst watching the game. I say why the hell not its always been part of rugby league and something i think we should be proud of.

As far as getting ale spilt on you at matches this also happened at Wilderspool so not really worried on the odd occasion.

I think the lead has to come from the Rugby League to the point of saying that IF the stewards think that anyone entering the stadium that is the worst for drink then they would NOT be allowed admission and this should be clearly stated on all tickets and turnstiles, i have been to games this season and some of our supported couldnt even walk nevermind watch a game of rugby, i saw two at Bradford in the challenge cup. If their is any trouble at games that is found to be drink related then the clubs should be held to task and delt with accordingly

In conclusion i think to ban drinking at games would be a knee jerk reaction, as we do not know for sure that all trouble is drink related and the majority who have a drink whilst enjoing a game of Rugby and cause no detrement to the enjoyment of other fans like myself.

sorry... couldn't resist

So it appears we now have maybe three options:-
1) Ban beer sales ----- least favoured
2) Ban beer from terraces but Ok in the concourse area
3) No change in the sales/consumption policy but with must heavier enforcement.

I'd vote 3