I posted this on another thread but I've added this as a new topic because it needs to be seen by everyone.

I thought this may happen and it did.

I was mad at seeing a pile of confiscated bottles outside the Donny Rd turnstiles (interesting that the Stewards were not searching bags on the West Terrace turnstiles which will lead to frustration at the policy not being applied across all entry points).

The reason they were confiscated was confirmed to me by one of the Senior Stewards. THE BOTTLES WERE NOT SEALED. They were partly drunk and could contain anything inc alcohol. I have no problem with this but please can someone find on the press release from the club the word SEALED or anything suggesting the confiscation of part opened bottles.

Moral of this story OPEN YOUR BOTTLES IN THE GROUND.

Sorry for shouting (using capital letters) but I'm trying to get the message across clearly that the club has not.

Oh and the steward also said that next they were going to get tough with smokers too.

Stopping smokers I'm ok with, but they are on dodgy ground if they take packets off people.

I can see what they mean about the bottles but being realistic. It's a hot day. Let people drink water.

I didn't say anything about packets being taken off people rather than stopping the smokers corner mentality we have in certain parts of the ground.

Thing is for me we are playing catch up. We have been so far behind modern thinking re ground segregation/smoking/drinks being brought into ground that we are taking to all these changes as a bit of a culture shock.

I know. I made the leap to confiscation myself.
Just hypothetical

This was always going to be contentious and I feel a trial & error approach needs implementing & revising to try and get the best fit. Stadias are the focus of increased attention by the Council, Police & Security services nationally. Guidance & Policies are given out regularly. Some things apply from Old Trafford to Belle Vue & there's nothing the club can do about it. It must be adhered to & with Hillsborough Inquest current there is a lot of eyes on stadiums.

Guidance on the other hand isn't statute. This can be looked at and adapted to best fit the needs of the club and fans. Getting the right balance is difficult. But it needs to happen. The problem with security/stewards is a bit like bouncers on doors or anyone in authority. They range from pleasant, diplomatic & helpful to absolute morons. You get the wrong one & your buggered.. Consistency is also important. A group near me children were searched but not the adult bag containing 3 bottles clearly held in his hand.

I hope a resolution can be found because its another negative we don't need. The club aren't afraid to tinker things to get it right. I'm sure they are monitoring this situation to ensure they fall within current stadia legislation, keep people safe & look at fans needs & enjoyment levels.

I always advocate constructive criticism or sensible opinions given to the club.

this problem isn't going to go away,

a friend was asked to leave because he had a bottle containing dilute pop and I think refused to give them it,

this guy rarely drinks alcohol and is a club stalwart so god knows what he thinks tonight, by the time I had found out he had made his way home and I mentioned this to the club.
times are changing and its getting more like football games the way your getting treated, this will only turn the supporter away to amateur games

Diute orange is exactly the example that was given to me by senior steward. Dilute with what Vodka? On another point Steve the ground looked as good as I'd seen it for years.

My worry here is that the club have adopted a "sledgehammer to crack a walnut" attitude. Yes the policy may be sound on paper but in reality it plainly isn't working in they eyes of the public. Whilst I agree that glass bottles should not be allowed in, have we had any issues prior to this policy being intoduced. What instructions have been issued to the stewards and what "leeway" are they given. (surely a common sense approach should prevail). We want fans to come (or come back) but if they stewards are arbitrarily just going to confiscate any unsealed beverage on a hot day, are these people going to return. Arguments sake, My three year old needs to drink a lot of fluids, I bring three bottles with me, on the way to the ground he wants a drink, starts to drink one, on the basis of what people have said, would this "open drink" be confiscated, If it was to be, i would turn around and not come back as this is plainly a ludicrous situation. However, they stewards would quite happily admit a person who was clearly under the influence of alcohol without a question. (but a least he didn't have a bottle on him, but quite easily purchase more alcohol in the ground) So who or what poses the greater risk!

Some stewards letting people in with flasks, but others refusing entry to people with dilute pop. It's a joke. And will force people away. It's not like we have an abundance of fans either. A great on field performance was ruined for a few because of off field issues. And again it's not like these people have had much to cheer for this year.

does it really matter if the had fetched vodka diluted in a small bottle, lets look at it logically when your on the terraces there's no spirits available just bitter, lager and cider in either half or pint size,
its not like the crowd is there for not much than a couple of hours and the way drinks are charge at all stadia not just ours it become very expensive to buy as is food, I'm all for a profit but if shops can survive and charge less then where's the problem of at least matching the shops. to me its that feel good factor that we should lead the way, when I've been to other grounds I paid £4 once for a pint never again and will walk away.
if your dealing with a fear of alcohol problems ie drunks causing problems then you have to eliminate the beer as well and reject the ones that come in drunk.

with the bar at bottom of the flats its been members only and I know its upset a few of my friends who loved standing there and having a drink, I know they travel from Warrington to watch and share their days driving so either one can have a few but that's been taken away from them unless they paid the members fee which they couldn't justify.

I find it quite sad that we can't bring a drink opened its not like we are stealing from the club, if there is a problem its the ones that jump the wall or fence if 5 got in then that's £100.

and yes the ground looks great nice and tidy

What is the ruling regarding taking food and drink into the ground? as I haven't seen anything saying you can't, and what if someone is taking spirits in, my father used to take a hip flask in in the winter, all this does is cause more animosity towards the club and as for keeping up with modern stadiums I suggest we get one first.

Youngest lad had bottle of water unopened and showed steward who said "no problem even if opened its water end of day" that was Donny turnstiles but then again who would suspect it was full of vodka and not for him..Trouble is as Mick Amos pointed out its that Stadiums are very much under the spotlight at the moment and we all have to suffer/understand that at this moment in time.
Any one who has been to the Ethiad will know its a no food no drink rule except for bottled water there and £4.20 a pint.