I will firstly say to be fair matchday management at Lewes is generally pretty good. Here is the but. It only needs one but for the whole matchday to disintegrate, sporadic is not good enough.
A group of 6 men in their late twenties attended a recent game. Physically attended as they were hardly compos mentis. They proceeded to spend the first half hurling abuse, insulting and swearing at the young opposition goalkeeper. It was sickeningly intimidatory. The goalkeeper tried to deal with it by going along with it but was clearly unsettled, as people are when bullied.
I mention this in relation to the blanket ban on Under16’s from attending matches on there own because of a handful of miscreants. They now have to be accompanied by adults. Lewes FC acknowledging a few louts can ruin a nice game of football for decent young supporters. Yes Lewes FC, the club that clearly falsely claims to be inclusive. I digress.
So come on Lewes FC what are you going to do about this behaviour?
Lewes FC have a duty of care for the safety at football matches. However, they are failing significantly.
This group were smashed at the start of the game. They were either-
Let through the turnstiles completely pissed and it would be impossible not to know that as they were so boisterous at kick off. IT IS ILLEGAL TO ALLOW ENTRANCE TO DRUNK PUNTERS.
Or- got drunk in the main bar. IT IS ILLEGAL TO SERVE ALCOHOL TO VISIBLY DRUNK OBNOXIOUS PUNTERS.
They were then immediately being a nuisance by the bar at the Ham Lane bullying the goalkeeper. This was not banter. However, the bar continued to satisfy their huge alcohol intake. IT IS ILLEGAL TO SERVE ALCOHOL TO DRUNK PUNTERS.
In the second half I asked the man and woman behind the bar, representatives of the franchisee Only With Love, who acknowledged the group were smashed, if they knew whether it was illegal to sell to inebriated and rowdy punters and they said they had not been told.
British Beer and Pub Association – The Law on Serving Alcohol – British Beer and Pub Association
A steward simply aimlessly watched on. BY LAW HE SHOULD HAVE TALKEN STEPS TO BEGIN THE OFFENDERS REMOVAL. Any punter, no matter how drunk, recognises an invitation to be thrown out, see the police, the courts and a football banning order as a kind compromise to sober up and behave properly or removal procedures begun.
AM I BEING PRISSY?
Had there been a number of away supporters around this could have led to civil disobedience and acts of violence. Adults bringing families will take one look and realise the Dripping Pan is not safe and not come back
Lewes FC are practicing a gross dereliction of duty allowing this behaviour.
‘Only With Love’ are trading illegally and irresponsibly serving drunk badly behaved yobs. Had the head of licences watched this going on their license to trade would be removed.
The result of the game could have been changed by ‘home’ supporters obnoxious behaviour and that would be a stain on our great football club and town.
Make no mistake, whilst Lewes FC exercise such a lackadaisical approach to stewarding and drinking there will in time be a dreadful incident within the stadium and would it not be more sensible to have an overhaul of supporter safety now rather than after the event?
This is not a one off, I have seen away supporters clearly completely smashed being allowed into the ground. The stewards and people in charge merely exchanging banter with them rather than refusing entry at the turnstiles. There is an etiquette within pubs and clubs that it is fine to drink as much as you want if your behaviour is fine. It is only a few people who behave badly and it is time Lewes FC adopted a proper, grown-up and responsible attitude to rooting out aggressive and obnoxious behaviour that can be a catalyst for public order disturbances and injury.
The Rights of Fans. 