I am middle aged and been a season ticket holder for some years. As I was going into South Africa road today I suddenly got my pockets felt by security. I know they have a hard job but why do they have to be so rude. I had a bottle of drink in my pocket and I forgot about the no top rule. A security guy said 'take the top off' with a dirty look. Why can't he just say 'You are not allowed in with the top of the bottle please take it off.' I have never understood why you can't take a top of the bottle in and I did ask what looked like the senior guy and he said 'it's not in case you throw it but in case it rolls' whatever that means. Does anyone know the actual reason? However, I noticed an away fan managed to get in with a flair and throw it on the pitch. Seems like security need to get their priorities right.
Ive never understood why you cant take a plastic bottle but youre allowed a metal flask, Im pretty sure I know which is going to hurt more if it hits you.
This happened myself and my dad a few years ago. at a match in cork.He had a bottke of coke and was told if he didnt take off the top he could not go in. he finally agreed. when we went in i asked a cop what the reason was he said its incase people fill it with stones and throw it. i see what they mean if it rolls with a cap on if some one stands on it the y MIGHT sprain an ankle. Cop also said i think the power goes to their head on matchday.. BTW the 3 lads in front of us had no problems getting in with their vodka.
Tops on a bottle throw better and do more damage on impact Top off you have to drink it human nature as you should can't put it down unless you sit at the front
Ive got in with a can of beer before in my pocket. They only search bags and are generally pretty good doing it, this was in the LL, where was this guy? I just tell everyone to put the top in their pocket and put it back on when they get in. I did that once and the steward asked for it and I told him no and he just left me alone.
If your not sure why you can't have a bottle cap on a plastic bottle then get one that has the top on and squeeze it to see how hard it is under pressure, then take the lid off and squeeze again, if you can't feel the difference then you've most likely had a stroke and should call an ambulance!
Trouble is most of these men seem like pretty pathetic characters who crave the little bit of power these positions give them. They're a similar breed whichever ground you attend but the worst lot I've seen are the West Brom stewards; and the LFC ones were just looking to stir up trouble too. They do have a difficult job but too many seem to forget that they're there to make our days as enjoyable and hassle free as possible, not to intimidate which they often spend their time doing.
Away stewards are absolute arseholes who know they can do what they want because generally the fans wont complain because they wont be back in the area. They just chuck fans out because they know they can. Home stewards are generally fine, at least in my case.
Must admit when I took my backpack in today I didn't feel they looked at it properly. Just a quick glance. Was asked if I had any bottles and that was it. You've got to wonder about these searches sometimes. Back when Anton Ferdinand was sent a bullet in the post there were rigourous checks of fans. Today, a Sheffield Wednesday fan managed to get in with a flare/smoke bomb. Maybe it's time brought in airport style security arches or at least batons - they have them at Wimbledon (tenniss).
For the past few years ive put the top in my pocket at every home game and they have never checked my pockets once
I suspect the real reason you can't take a bottle into the ground with or without the top removed is so that then you are more likely to purchase a drink inside
Look up the 'experiments' of Stanley Milgram in the 60's. Basically people in white coats told the subject to administer electric shocks to another person in another room with an audio link. They administered fatal shocks (none at all of course since all but the subject were in on the act) aprtly because there was an authoritative figure in a white coat telling them to do it. Lots of interesting ideas from this research (which would never be allowed today) including the power of uniforms and the way people behave when they are given a mandate. Perhaps the Stanford Prison Experiment is even more relevant in terms of the power of being given authority! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_prison_experiment
Myself and Nines had a conversation about our stewards at half time - they are all pretty much the same - no idea what/why they are doing things such as walking up and down the aisles, but doing it because they are told to. Even saw one steward with a 'Loftus Road Matchday Steward's Handbook' on them yesterday.
I hate it when they do that at concerts. Say its a safety issue and no bottles at all are allowed and they water is three quid a bottle inside. Annoying when its a all dayer. Ive got a camelback that I use now (my mother saw the bladder for it and thought it was a colostomy bag!) And they always allow that. I was going to fill it with vodka and oj for this season. Worth investing 15 for it if you take a bag anyway.
