Salford City fans watched their team lose 2-0 to Chesterfield from 40m in the air to get around the Football League’s stringent alcohol rules.
A group of Ammies supporters were given the one-time opportunity to watch the football game from a bird’s-eye view when they were hoisted off the ground by a crane.
The experience, provided by Salford’s front-of-shirt sponsor Fireball Whisky, was a gesture made to comment on the no drinks within view of the pitch rule observed by stadiums and allowed the four participants to drink while experiencing the game on the ruling’s 40th anniversary.
Ammies supporters took part in the sky-high fan zone experience as a protest against a drinking ban currently enforced across England’s top four tiers.
The 1985 Sporting Events Act currently prohibits people from possessing alcohol while viewing an ongoing sporting event.
However, a recent survey by OnePoll found that 71% of football fans consume alcohol at the football, with only 8% actively abstaining since the ban in 1985. It also found that 58% of fans view drinking alcohol as a valuable and important aspect of their matchday experience.
This survey shows that fans feel the control of alcohol act is outdated, 40 years after it was passed. The ban applies to all Premier League and Champions League as well as League One and League Two.
Given that spectators watching football on the continent can indulge in a mid-match drink, domestic football fans feel unfairly treated.
The decision to ban alcohol on the terraces was part of a broader government effort to clamp down on hooliganism and violence at football in the 1980s.
The law was introduced in response to concerns about alcohol-related violence and disorder at sporting events in the UK. It was passed after the Heysel disaster which saw 39 people die and 600 sustain injuries as the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus was marred by crowd trouble.
At the showpiece match, Liverpool supporters surged towards the Italian team’s fans leading to the collapse of a wall which crushed the Juventus supporters.
Social creator Tom Nestor, known for their online content regarding sports, participated in the experience. Nestor said: “It was by far the most interesting way I’ve ever watched a football match and although I was very scared I’m glad I did it.
I was very nervous when I saw just how high the crane was but the health and safety was very thorough and they had escape plans in place for if the crane broke down.’
Fireball, who termed the experience ‘The hottest seat in football,’ facilitated the first experience since the ruling of fans being able to watch a game with alcoholic beverages.
About the ban, Nestor commented: “I think it’s an outdated rule to combat something that isn’t anywhere near as big of an issue in the modern day and only encourages fans to drink more in the concourse.”
Nestor watched on from the sky as Salford slipped to a third consecutive League Two defeat. Karl Robinson will hope his side can bounce back to winning ways as they host Greater Manchester Rivals Oldham Athletic at the Peninsula Stadium, 3pm Kick-off.
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