‘Why not a beer?’ Fans raise a glass to Bristol City Women’s alcohol pilot

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‘Why not a beer?’ Fans raise a glass to Bristol City Women’s alcohol pilot
Author: Sarah Rendell at Ashton Gate
Published: Jan, 20 2025 19:00

Women’s Championship club become first to trial alcohol in the stands, with views mixed among supporters. “If you can take a coke out there, why not a beer?” was the verdict of the Bristol City season‑ticket holder Andy Payne as he attended the game against London City Lionesses at Ashton Gate on Sunday. It was a historic day as the club, together with Southampton, became the first to pilot alcohol in the stands at a Women’s Championship game.

 [Bristol City’s head of women’s football, Romaney Pinnock]
Image Credit: the Guardian [Bristol City’s head of women’s football, Romaney Pinnock]

Drinking in view of the pitch is not allowed in the top five men’s leagues in England. That ban is backed by the Sporting Events Act of 1985 but it is understood women’s football is not included in the legislation. If the pilot is successful, the initiative could be rolled out across the top two tiers of women’s football in England. The pilot – which is being conducted at Birmingham and Newcastle too – is being carried out across the clubs’ remaining home league games of the season with some derby fixtures exempt.

 [A pair of fans enjoy the atmosphere and a pint at Bristol City v London City Lionesses]
Image Credit: the Guardian [A pair of fans enjoy the atmosphere and a pint at Bristol City v London City Lionesses]

“In women’s football there is no tribalism like there is in the men’s game, it’s a lot easier to police something like that,” Payne said. “There are less people in the stands as well. It’s not like anyone is coming here to get drunk, we’re coming here to watch football. It’s a good thing, I think it’s really positive. I hope it is a success. It works in rugby so there is no reason it shouldn’t work in [women’s] football.”.

Bristol City’s head of women’s football, Romaney Pinnock, is on board with the project. “We want to give fans the choice to consume what they want in a healthy, safe way. We are used to it with the rugby [Bristol City’s home ground Ashton Gate is also Bristol Bears’ stadium], they can come here and choose to drink or not.

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