Twickenham pubs in early closing fear ahead of Rugby World Cup

[Alias]

Twickenham pubs in early closing fear ahead of Rugby World Cup

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33959062

I can't make any of the Twickers matches but Reading this just makes my blood boil and hope it's not the thin end of the wedge.
This is Rugby not football. We are not Hooligans; we do not cause trouble fight or damage pubs clubs or anything else. We are not hooligans rampaging through the streets kicking Police horses spitting at people terrifying local residents or anything remotely like that Because I say again we are not football supporters. Look!! even the shape of the blasted ball is different, Its Rugby and I for one take offence at being treated like a demented football fan.
I cannot remember the last time I saw a policeman at a Bristol rugby match even during the packed playoff matches.
Yes we are Rugby supporter's, yes we drink, Yes we sing maybe even shout laugh and cry on occasions. But we are by nature friendly people who socialise even with the opposition supporters (Police might wish to read that last part again to avoid confusion) We have a drink, chat, laugh and joke maybe the odd little wind up This is called friendly banter (Suggest the police Google that word..) But the point is no matter which club or country we support. What race, colour or creed we come from its all well-mannered, well behaved and trouble free. It's what makes this sport and its supporters so special and something we are all Immensely proud of. Leave us alone let the pubs clubs earn a much need boost to their income God knows they need it. You will never know we have even been there. Better still come along with an open mind and be educated in the wonderful world that is world rugby.

 

[ncurd]

Sadly the rugby stadiums will not be completely full of standard rugby fans (although there will be a fair chunk) and the police know this.

 

[Alias]

Sadly the rugby stadiums will not be completely full of standard rugby fans (although there will be a fair chunk) and the police know this.

I Can't go along with that excuse, It's been proved to me at Bristol (be it on a smaller scale) where we now share Ashton gate with Bristol city football club and many of the city supporters come along to the matches and are surprised by, and enjoy the friendly non intimidating atmosphere. Enjoy a drink or several and wonder off home. City supporters sit next to Rovers supporters, Bristol rugby fans sit next to whoever is in the next seat. Boys, Girls, Husbands, wives, kids, Grandparents we all mix and is there any trouble?? No, No trouble at all. So sorry that excuse doesn't wash with me. In fact if you ask many a football fan who has attended a rugby match they would probably admit to wishing they could create the same non segregated friendly atmosphere at the football matches as we enjoy at rugby.

 

[goodNumber10]

well don't forget the Aussies and Welsh are playing at Twickenham

 

[Willodell100]

I Can’t go along with that excuse, It’s been proved to me at Bristol (be it on a smaller scale) where we now share Ashton gate with Bristol city football club and many of the city supporters come along to the matches and are surprised by, and enjoy the friendly non intimidating atmosphere. Enjoy a drink or several and wonder off home. City supporters sit next to Rovers supporters, Bristol rugby fans sit next to whoever is in the next seat. Boys, Girls, Husbands, wives, kids, Grandparents we all mix and is there any trouble?? No, No trouble at all. So sorry that excuse doesn’t wash with me. In fact if you ask many a football fan who has attended a rugby match they would probably admit to wishing they could create the same non segregated friendly atmosphere at the football matches as we enjoy at rugby.

I completely agree with what you say above.

I do think the police will change their stance before the World Cup starts as there will be a public outcry if not and also, right at the bottom of the article, they do include that 'the final decision will be with the local authority'.

This suggests they will submit to what the borough councils decry. And from a business viewpoint I simply can't see them turning away tourists after the holiday period has ended.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Having been at the England France match last Saturday, I can only say that it was totally bizarre. they announced it in the stadium (to general confusion) and everyone docilely moved away from Twickenham at the end. You could see the disappointment of the kebab and chip shop owners as people just filtered past- it wouldn't surprise me if they can make a weeks profit in a night on match days.

I can only think this will be damaging- to the image of the game, local businesses' earnings and the atmosphere, among others.

 

[ZeroTwo]

I understand the anger here but I do think there is something to be said for the polices actions.

Athletics and general olympic sports do not have any problems with violence usually. During the 2012 Olympics there were 16 ARRESTS for assault (so not even counting those told to get on their way or not seen), two arrests for possession of a dangerous weapon and one on firearm offences. These sorts of things aren't seen outside of big international events like this usually.

They have to play safe. I wouldn't care for all the world if there was a public outcry if it kept someone safe from some moron carrying a knife around or kicking the seven hells out of someone else.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well, certain rugby stadiums in South Africa has completely banned alcohol from its premises. Loftus Versfeld which doesn't even have a pub on the grounds anymore, and only the private suites that serve alcohol.

I can honestly say that it's better this way. People go to the stadium to watch the game, not to get smashed and then behave like idiots. Since Loftus Versfeld has done this (I think it was implemented in 2008), the stadium has become a much nicer friendlier place to watch rugby. Since 1995 I have been at this venue on a annually, and I can attest to it that the fan behaviour is much better on the stands without the alcohol.

Some of the drunk morons forget that people bring their kids and families to the stadium, and if they are intoxicated they say and do things which could be very disturbing.

I think this is an idea which should be implemented at more stadiums. I wish it was implemented at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban, then there wouldn't be articles of fans attacking other fans with knives, or fistfights or whatever. For the World Cup, it's paramount that the fans safety at the stands and nearby are taken into consideration. Especially early on, to avoid any controversy which could jeopardise the success of the tournament.

 

[goodNumber10]

Well, certain rugby stadiums in South Africa has completely banned alcohol from its premises. Loftus Versfeld which doesn't even have a pub on the grounds anymore, and only the private suites that serve alcohol.

I can honestly say that it's better this way. People go to the stadium to watch the game, not to get smashed and then behave like idiots. Since Loftus Versfeld has done this (I think it was implemented in 2008), the stadium has become a much nicer friendlier place to watch rugby. Since 1995 I have been at this venue on a annually, and I can attest to it that the fan behaviour is much better on the stands without the alcohol.

Some of the drunk morons forget that people bring their kids and families to the stadium, and if they are intoxicated they say and do things which could be very disturbing.

I think this is an idea which should be implemented at more stadiums. I wish it was implemented at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban, then there wouldn't be articles of fans attacking other fans with knives, or fistfights or whatever. For the World Cup, it's paramount that the fans safety at the stands and nearby are taken into consideration. Especially early on, to avoid any controversy which could jeopardise the success of the tournament.

same in France, non-alcoholic beer only.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Never always alcohol in France, i was at the France v Scotland 6 nations no trouble what so ever and as i was invited by my bank they had Newky Brown on Tap which i thought was unbelievable but also fantastic, no violence no trouble just a few sore heads the next day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS COULD RUIN A WC FOR ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goodNumber10]

Never always alcohol in France, i was at the France v Scotland 6 nations no trouble what so ever and as i was invited by my bank they had Newky Brown on Tap which i thought was unbelievable but also fantastic, no violence no trouble just a few sore heads the next day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS COULD RUIN A WC FOR ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in a corporate box? Same when we went to the Stade Francais VIP boxes, but the main stands are dry. You cannot take bottles/glass in either (they took my DSLR away and held it at security), the kiosks in the stadium sell Non-Alcoholic beer (though you can get adrink in the approach to the Stade de FRance.

Stade Jean Bouin is dry as well (though last time i went was the Wasps/Stade play the year before last)

 

[arry nordy key]

This is nothing to do with concerns over public disorder.
Although there is no direct linkage, it must (IMO) have everything to do with pressure from Heineken, who will still be serving well before (including outside official twickers boundaries) and well after the game in the stadium parameters.

After Saturday's game with France local pubs were either:
1. Open having ignored the request
2. Open, oblivious to the request
3. Closed, against their will. Seeing it as anything but 'voluntary' as the RFU, Richmond Council and Met have insisted

I imagine there are a few concerned residents as the only previous international 8pm KO at twickenham I can remember is Eng v Sam last year. Xmas 'Big game' and LDH never go this late? Maybe there has been previous trouble with twickenham being used as a concert venue which obviously ends late. However, I think these concerns have likely been hijacked and used as an excuse.

- - - Updated - - -

well don't forget the Aussies and Welsh are playing at Twickenham

Won't affect any games played in daytime/early evening like this one (KO 4.45). Only 8pm Kick offs. So QF, SF, Final unaffected. Wouldn't be surprised if the goalposts get moved again though.

If you are in the pub before 10pm you can stay till last orders, which is almost (but not quite) impossible for a 8pm KO. I do love a good lock-in.

 

[goodNumber10]

Won't affect any games played in daytime/early evening like this one (KO 4.45). Only 8pm Kick offs. So QF, SF, Final unaffected. Wouldn't be surprised if the goalposts get moved again though.

If you are in the pub before 10pm you can stay till last orders, which is almost (but not quite) impossible for a 8pm KO. I do love a good lock-in.

I was taking the michael calling them all thugs

 

[McTallshort]

They always close early at the Army V Navy game on the advise of the monkeys (military police) but its the first time i have known it closing early on a normal game.

 

[arry nordy key]

I was taking the michael calling them all thugs

I wasn't!!!

It isn't fair the the thugs get to drink decent beer and we saintly descendants of St George don't!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

in a corporate box? Same when we went to the Stade Francais VIP boxes, but the main stands are dry. You cannot take bottles/glass in either (they took my DSLR away and held it at security), the kiosks in the stadium sell Non-Alcoholic beer (though you can get adrink in the approach to the Stade de FRance.

Stade Jean Bouin is dry as well (though last time i went was the Wasps/Stade play the year before last)

'France v FIJI LAST NOV WE DRANK BEER IN MARSEILLE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE STADIUM IT'S ONLY IN PARIS WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE.

 

[goodNumber10]

To be fair everyone does day Paris isn't really France.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Seems to be a harsh call for the local boozers.
How long has it been since England hosted a RWC?

 

[goodNumber10]

Seems to be a harsh call for the local boozers.
How long has it been since England hosted a RWC?

1991 was the last time it hosted the final, but 1999 was the last time it hosted games (I think).

 

[Tony Manx]

same in France, non-alcoholic beer only.

Rubbish!!! I had to walk past bars to get to my seat at Biarritz and the Spanish guys in front of me always had beer with them when they sat down and at half time!!

Last time I was at Stade de Feance they were selling beer too......