FA Cup v Hornchurch: Club Statement
We were kindly advised yesterday by our opponents on Saturday, Hornchurch FC, that due to their status as a Step 1 Non League Club regulations dictate that we are not permitted to sell alcohol from any outlet at the ground with views of the pitch.
Upon further investigation it is apparent alcohol can be served in the ground for all fixtures in the FA Cup, before the first round proper, except if one or other of the teams involved is National League representative.
It seems a very strange anomaly to us as a club that we could in reality be playing a local Step 2 representative such as Slough Town FC or Chesham FC with a potential attendance figure being far greater than that anticipated on Saturday and we would be permitted to serve alcohol in the ground!
We are fortunate,unlike some other clubs,that our clubhouse does not provide views over the pitch or we would be required to restrict viewing through the windows of the clubhouse to enable alcohol to be served from the main bar between 2.45pm and 15 minutes after full time.
Our thought process as a club is as always to try and make the experience for each fixture at Honeycroft as enjoyable as possible for all visitors to the ground and we are therefore going to implement the following measures tomorrow to try and facilitate the best possible fan experience.
Our main clubhouse bar will be open as usual from midday with the lunchtime Premier League fixture being shown on the big screens and hot food available from the Honeycroft Hut.
Unlike a normal match day fixture at Honeycroft,when any alcoholic drink purchased can be taken into the ground in a reusable cup, only the 0% options available from the bar will be permitted to be taken into the ground.
All other alcoholic drinks will be sold as normal in glassware and will not be permitted to be taken into the ground.
We would also encourage all supporters who wish to return to the clubhouse at half time for refreshments to take advantage of the option of pre ordering your half time requirements and they will be waiting for you in the bar area at half time negating the need to queue at a potentially very busy time.
In addition to try and maintain the “normal” matchday experience within the ground,both prior to the game and at half time and post match, we are in the process of screening off the viewing area in the fan zone overlooking the pitch in order that our Red Shed outdoor bar can continue to provide all usual draught alcoholic options in reusable cups.
We will move some more seating into this area in order that as many fans as possible can sit and have a drink as normal both pre game and at half time.
We will have stewards positioned around the fan zone to ensure no alcoholic drinks are taken in view of the pitch after the 2.45pm stipulated restriction.
Whilst the aesthetic isn’t something we are proud of we have only had a very limited time to try and facilitate something to appease the regulations and attempt to make the afternoon all it can be for supporters of both clubs.
We would ask all supporters to try and help us with the arrangements as best they can and we hope irrespective of the result it will be an enjoyable afternoon for you all at Honeycroft.
See you Saturday.
Uxbridge FC Chairman, Mark Bantock