Are Pitch Side Drinking Laws In Need Of A Refresh?

Confusion in parts is nothing new for the game

The topic in this extra bonus piece is something I’ve tried to find time to put together since it first came to light for me and it’s one that’s seemingly caused a little confusion along the way.

A couple of weekend’s ago I planned to head to Horsham’s Camping World Stadium as they hosted National League Woking. Nothing much to see here until a couple of days before the game when Horsham’s Twitter/X account announced there would be no pitch side drinking.

Now the reason for the ban was due to Woking’s National League status, common knowledge that above Step 2, which are the North and South Divisions, there is no alcohol permitted pitch side but those from Step 3 downwards where Horsham currently reside is normal procedure.

Pitch side drinking is a huge revenue driver for clubs underneath the National League. Indeed having spoken to George Dowell the owner of National League South Worthing FC earlier this year, he conceded had the club won promotion to non-league’s top table then the loss for them as a club would be absolutely massive.

Horsham themselves for league matches averaged almost 1000 last season, 550 odd were actually in attendance for this Woking friendly. Now the reason I saw this as strange was my own club Barnet played away to Step 3 Hitchin Town a few days earlier and pitch side drinking was allowed.

I spotted a picture on Twitter/X via a Wealdstone fan that evening, playing away that same afternoon as Horsham vs Woking and clear as night follows day, pitch side drinking.

Who was in the right here? Did some clubs merely sidestep and hope they didn’t get caught on the off chance of a visiting FA official? To be honest I really don’t know!