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The National
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Common sense to lift booze ban, fans won't let the side down
So, I cautiously use it here, because I am certain that while I think the SPFL and South Ayrshire Council allowing Ayr United to take part in a pilot scheme selling booze within Somerset Park absolutely is common sense, there will be plenty of people out there who would argue that keeping the demon drink as far away from football grounds as possible is, in fact, the definition of the term. Better then to look at the evidence before lauding the scheme or condemning it, and it won't be until we have had the 'wet' run during Ayr's Premier Sports Cup matches against Arbroath and Forfar this month that we will know for sure whether a few pints of overpriced Moretti have the potential to turn previously Honest Men into marauding hooligans. (Image: Mark Scates - SNS Group) I'm being facetious, of course, but only because it seems ridiculous that it has taken so long for this smallest concession to be offered to our clubs. It has been 45 years since the infamous Scottish Cup Final riot between Celtic and Rangers, when booze was banished from our football stadiums. If nothing else, the relentless debate about it ever since, and in particular, why rugby fans were still allowed to get minging at Murrayfield while football fans were denied a half or two at Hampden was enough to drive you to drink alone, even if there is merit in decrying the classism at the heart of that particular double standard. Read more: John Swinney is not 'sympathetic' to the lifting of the booze ban at football, and said back in March that 'the evidence' supported his stance. Since then, no such evidence has been produced, so we are left to surmise that it wasn't so much strong proof (if you will) driving this conclusion at all, but what I'm sure the First Minister might refer to as, well, common sense. Because the evidence doesn't in fact support a position of maintaining an alcohol ban in Scottish stadiums, with the introduction of pints in the concourses of English grounds having been such a success that there have now been pilot schemes carried out down south to allow fans to have a drink at their seats too. (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) Unless, of course, the First Minister's view is that Scottish people are less civil and more prone to violence than our English cousins, which might, politically, be a tricky position to defend. I argued in a column on the week of his comments on the subject that this was all about freedom of choice. That football fans shouldn't be denied the same right to a few drinks if they should so fancy it than people attending any other entertainment venue. Finally, that choice will be offered to them, and I have a feeling that those taking part in the pilot won't let the side down. For the sum of £35, a maximum of 66 fans can buy a ticket that gives them access to a bar, where they can have up to four pints before the game as well as one at half time. Hopefully, this is a first step towards an enhanced matchday experience for supporters, as well as a welcome boost to the coffers of our clubs. I have attended matches in England and in Germany where booze was freely available, and the whole thing was just a lot more civilized than the current situation here, where fans are necking bevvy before they are allowed into the ground. While covering Celtic's Champions League tie against RB Leipzig a few years back, I saw hundreds - if not thousands - of fans milling in the concourses two or three hours before kick-off, steadily pouring a few pints down their neck, yes, but also pouring a steady stream of cash into the Leipzig coffers. There won't be a chairman in the land who doesn't want to see similar scenes here. So, while I recognise that there will be people out there who are worried about what the introduction of bevvy to our stadiums once more might unleash, this isn't 1980. The football-going experience has changed beyond all recognition. This has been shown to work elsewhere, and now, on a very short leash, Scottish football fans have a chance to show that it can work here too. (Image: Paul Devlin - SNS Group) And if not? Well, proponents for lifting the ban would have little choice but to hold our hands up and admit we were wrong. At least we would have given it a shot. As it stands, the arguments against amount to little more than the dredging up of a riot that occurred when carry oots were commonplace on the terraces, Dexy's Midnight Runners were top of the charts with 'Geno' and Pacman was a couple of weeks away from being released. Oh, and let's not forget, of course, a sneaking suspicion that fitba fans can't be trusted. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey. It would be great to see this experiment gradually expand – initially, to other so-called low-risk fixtures - and then, let's see where that takes us. Hopefully, in a few years, we'll be wondering why it took so long to get here, and what all the fuss was about. Or, dare I say it, we'll see that common sense has prevailed.
The Herald Scotland
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Common sense to lift booze ban, fans won't let the side down
Better then to look at the evidence before lauding the scheme or condemning it, and it won't be until we have had the 'wet' run during Ayr's Premier Sports Cup matches against Arbroath and Forfar this month that we will know for sure whether a few pints of overpriced Moretti have the potential to turn previously Honest Men into marauding hooligans. (Image: Mark Scates - SNS Group) I'm being facetious, of course, but only because it seems ridiculous that it has taken so long for this smallest concession to be offered to our clubs. It has been 45 years since the infamous Scottish Cup Final riot between Celtic and Rangers, when booze was banished from our football stadiums. If nothing else, the relentless debate about it ever since, and in particular, why rugby fans were still allowed to get minging at Murrayfield while football fans were denied a half or two at Hampden was enough to drive you to drink alone, even if there is merit in decrying the classism at the heart of that particular double standard. Read more: John Swinney is not 'sympathetic' to the lifting of the booze ban at football, and said back in March that 'the evidence' supported his stance. Since then, no such evidence has been produced, so we are left to surmise that it wasn't so much strong proof (if you will) driving this conclusion at all, but what I'm sure the First Minister might refer to as, well, common sense. Because the evidence doesn't in fact support a position of maintaining an alcohol ban in Scottish stadiums, with the introduction of pints in the concourses of English grounds having been such a success that there have now been pilot schemes carried out down south to allow fans to have a drink at their seats too. (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) Unless, of course, the First Minister's view is that Scottish people are less civil and more prone to violence than our English cousins, which might, politically, be a tricky position to defend. I argued in a column on the week of his comments on the subject that this was all about freedom of choice. That football fans shouldn't be denied the same right to a few drinks if they should so fancy it than people attending any other entertainment venue. Finally, that choice will be offered to them, and I have a feeling that those taking part in the pilot won't let the side down. For the sum of £35, a maximum of 66 fans can buy a ticket that gives them access to a bar, where they can have up to four pints before the game as well as one at half time. Hopefully, this is a first step towards an enhanced matchday experience for supporters, as well as a welcome boost to the coffers of our clubs. I have attended matches in England and in Germany where booze was freely available, and the whole thing was just a lot more civilized than the current situation here, where fans are necking bevvy before they are allowed into the ground. While covering Celtic's Champions League tie against RB Leipzig a few years back, I saw hundreds - if not thousands - of fans milling in the concourses two or three hours before kick-off, steadily pouring a few pints down their neck, yes, but also pouring a steady stream of cash into the Leipzig coffers. There won't be a chairman in the land who doesn't want to see similar scenes here. So, while I recognise that there will be people out there who are worried about what the introduction of bevvy to our stadiums once more might unleash, this isn't 1980. The football-going experience has changed beyond all recognition. This has been shown to work elsewhere, and now, on a very short leash, Scottish football fans have a chance to show that it can work here too. (Image: Paul Devlin - SNS Group) And if not? Well, proponents for lifting the ban would have little choice but to hold our hands up and admit we were wrong. At least we would have given it a shot. As it stands, the arguments against amount to little more than the dredging up of a riot that occurred when carry oots were commonplace on the terraces, Dexy's Midnight Runners were top of the charts with 'Geno' and Pacman was a couple of weeks away from being released. Oh, and let's not forget, of course, a sneaking suspicion that fitba fans can't be trusted. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey. It would be great to see this experiment gradually expand – initially, to other so-called low-risk fixtures - and then, let's see where that takes us. Hopefully, in a few years, we'll be wondering why it took so long to get here, and what all the fuss was about. Or, dare I say it, we'll see that common sense has prevailed.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Josh Taylor Vs. Ekow Essuman: Date, Time, And Fight Card Details
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 23: Josh Taylor and Ekow Essuman during the official weigh-in ahead of ... More Saturday's Welterweight bout, at the SEC Centre, on May 23, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images) On Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland, one of the land's greatest fighters and former champions, Josh Taylor, will take on Ekow Essuman in the main event of the Land of the Brave. Taylor, 34, is looking to make a move up to welterweight and to end a two-fight losing streak. Essuman, 36, is looking to land the biggest win of his career and potentially earn a shot at a title down the line. Here's a look at the entire card along with viewing information: Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman – Full Fight Card Main Event Co-Main Event Undercard Taylor, a former world champion at junior welterweight, may be in a last-gasp situation as it pertains to world-title relevancy. He lost back-to-back unanimous decisions to Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez and now looks to find some success in a new weight class. While Taylor sounded focused and determined to dispel any thoughts that he might be washed, Essuman, the older—yet less accomplished—fighter, stayed mild and even-keeled throughout the presser. Essuman was told by one reporter: 'You're in the deep blue sea now with Josh Taylor here; former undisputed champion, says he's going to take you out on Saturday. What are your thoughts?' Essuman calmly responded: 'And? Like, that's the whole point of it. Like, we're supposed to do that. I don't take offence to it. It is what it is. He's in my way, I'm in his way. It is what it is.' There doesn't appear to be any bad blood between the two fighters, and the draw here is more about finding out what Taylor has left in the tank. The co-main event will see McGregor trying to take the '0' from the talented Nathaniel Collins, and we'll also see promising heavyweight KO artist Moses Itauma in what could be his toughest test to date against Mike Balogun. Be on the lookout for results and full scorecards for the co-main and main events.
The Courier
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Dundee ace Simon Murray in second Player of the Year nomination
Simon Murray is up for a second Player of the Year award. Image: Mark Scates/SNS Simon Murray has secured a second nomination for a Player of the Year award after the Scottish Football Writers' Association picked out their top talents of season 2024/25. The Dundee ace has been on fire in front of goal this season, netting 22 goals in all competitions. Sixteen of those have come in the Premiership and manager Tony Docherty is backing his frontman to finish as the division's top scorer. Murray is level with Celtic's Daizen Maeda in the race to the top and is once more up against the Japan international for the SFWA Player of the Year. Simon Murray finds the net against St Mirren. Image: Mark Scates/SNS Nominated alongside Murray and Maeda is Celtic captain Callum McGregor after another stellar year for the Hoops alongside Hibs midfielder Nectarios Triantis. The SWFA Young Player of the Year nominations include Lennon Miller of Motherwell, James Wilson of Hearts and Kilmarnock pair David Watson and Bobby Wales. And vying for SWFA Manager of the Year are Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, Hibs gaffer David Gray, Jimmy Thelin of Aberdeen and Falkirk's Championship-winning manager John McGlynn. The award winners will be announced on Sunday, May 18, with Dundee technical director Gordon Strachan joining Joe Jordan and John Gagahan in entertaining guests at the dinner. Tags
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
8 pundits react to Hearts sacking Neil Critchley and who could be next manager
3 . EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MAY 20: Former Hearts Forward Ryan Stevenson during a cinch Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen at Tynecastle Park, on May 20, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) 'I don't really know where to go forward for here. I think that they've sort of put all their eggs in the one basket with the analytics company and obviously, they've brought Neil in. I think if we're being honest, I think outside the sort of bottom six teams, it's not been good enough. When you look at the two Old Firm teams, Aberdeen and Hibs, they haven't picked up any wins against them this season which has been extremely disappointing. 'But I think it was very much the easy option to go and sack the manager at the weekend. I think the board need to sit in a room and understand what the DNA of that club is, and understand that the next appointment they need to make has to be long-term. It has to be somebody that has a plan and understands solely the DNA of Hearts and what these fans want. These fans put money in every single year. [The board] need to get it right this time." | SNS Group
