HULL FC: Booze ban in place to avoid weekend derby trouble
HULL FC chief executive James Rule has appealed to the club's fans to be on their best behaviour during Saturday's derby.
It comes as the club – in conjunction with the Stadium Management Company (SMC) – has taken the decision to stop fans taking alcohol to their seats.
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Chief executive James Rule.
It follows incidents during each of the Black and Whites past two home games at the KC Stadium.
Rule took the step of issuing a statement, and recording a video message to fans on the club's website yesterday.
And he warned that FC may face fines – which could hinder future recruitment – if the incidents are repeated.
He said: "At our home game against the Crusaders an individual threw an empty drinks bottle onto the field of play.
"Against Leeds Rhinos, two separate fans encroached onto the field of play and it is alleged that one made contact with Scott Donald.
"The SMC are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the incidences of anti social behaviour.
"Hull FC fully support this investigation and are assisting the SMC.
" I believe that we need to take proactive action to ensure that the good name of this club is not tarnished by the action of one or two individuals.
Whilst stressing he felt '99.9 per cent' of FC fans were superbly behaved, Rule stressed he was not willing to take a chance at what will be an emotionally charged do-or-die derby.
"It only takes a second to damage a reputation that has taken years to build and I will not stand by and allow idiotic behaviour to damage this club," he said
"It is not just about reputation, incidences such as this run the risk of sanction from the RFL.
"If we are to receive punishment in the form of a fine then this un-budgeted expense will have to be financed from somewhere.
"If at any stage in the future we do receive a fine then it will be paid for by money that should have been spent on what anybody connected to the club is most passionate about the performance department.
"I apologise for the disruption to the match day experience that the removal of alcohol from the seated areas may cause to some of our fans but I am sure they will understand the rationale behind it and share my desire to protect the good name of our club."
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by Al, Hull
Thursday, September 09 2010, 10:58AM
“Noticed they didnt take a new picture... (On official website, message to the fans he's got a shinner...)”
by Judge, jefferys
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 6:26PM
“Radders
gets the all clear for the derby
his record took into account sent off once in 15yrs on the other hand the leeds thug has 10 appearances in the last 12months”
by Me Fan, Hull
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 10:02AM
“Someone could throw a coke bottle on the pitch, and when I went to rugby games I saw a fan (A rovers fan at the derby in 2009) on the pitch about 45 minutes before the game messing about (doing no harm at all, just having a bit of fun right in front of the stand but against the rules no doubt). This is just a pathetic attempt by the club to look like they are doing something. Maybe they and the SMC should look at the awful stewarding which is in place, and which I have witnessed at many events at the stadium.
The club have never liked the idea of drinking in seats, despite fan pressure and them been the only club in SL which didn't allow it. It was their decision to not allow it before the stadium was opened so didnt even try and get the license to allow it. If I'm right, it was the SMC which convinced them.
End of the day, anything other than isolated incidents at rugby games are rare. But as this is the type of game where its more likely to happen, banning drinking in seats is not going to prevent it. Proper Stewarding, proper policing and the chance is therefor reduced. Not bloody rocket science!”
by micky luv, EAST
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:59PM
“Or maybe she's closed the lid on his gimp trap for the night,so that her and the kids don't have to listen to him going on about the good old days at Dull.”
by west hull red, west hull
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:09PM
“george has gone quiet....his wife must of sent him to bed”