Blackpool Football Club Stadium hotel - a supposedly luxurious accommodation that fails to deliver on its promise of a perfect pitch view experience. Guests booking the "Superior Room with Pitch View" are led to believe they'll be able to watch the match unfold before their very eyes, but in reality, it's curtains for them.
In fact, according to the EFL rules and regulations, bedroom curtains must be kept drawn throughout a match, lest you risk a Β£2,500 fine. This rule may seem draconian, but it's meant to prevent fans from consuming alcohol within view of the pitch, which is prohibited by law. The Sporting Events Act 1985 bars the consumption of booze in football stadiums, but Blackpool's hotel has found a loophole - or rather, they've failed to close one.
Guests at the hotel are forced to forgo the thrill of watching the match while still wanting to indulge in a pint or two. The only consolation is the free wifi and complimentary soaps, which can't quite make up for the lack of atmosphere. As one guest quipped, "Hotel guest one, pitch-viewing supporter nil."
The situation highlights the need for reform in the outdated alcohol legislation surrounding football. Calls have been made to trial a more relaxed approach, with many seeing it as disproportionate and unfair. However, until those rules are changed, or at least until Blackpool's hotel finds a way around them, fans will be left in the dark.
The author of the article, Michael Butler, seems to have gotten the better end of the deal, albeit unintentionally. With his laptop open, he can follow the match on radio updates and enjoy a TV show - all while stuck behind curtains. While it may not be the high-octane experience promised, Butler's report serves as a reminder that even in the most inconvenient circumstances, there's always room for humor and observation.
In fact, according to the EFL rules and regulations, bedroom curtains must be kept drawn throughout a match, lest you risk a Β£2,500 fine. This rule may seem draconian, but it's meant to prevent fans from consuming alcohol within view of the pitch, which is prohibited by law. The Sporting Events Act 1985 bars the consumption of booze in football stadiums, but Blackpool's hotel has found a loophole - or rather, they've failed to close one.
Guests at the hotel are forced to forgo the thrill of watching the match while still wanting to indulge in a pint or two. The only consolation is the free wifi and complimentary soaps, which can't quite make up for the lack of atmosphere. As one guest quipped, "Hotel guest one, pitch-viewing supporter nil."
The situation highlights the need for reform in the outdated alcohol legislation surrounding football. Calls have been made to trial a more relaxed approach, with many seeing it as disproportionate and unfair. However, until those rules are changed, or at least until Blackpool's hotel finds a way around them, fans will be left in the dark.
The author of the article, Michael Butler, seems to have gotten the better end of the deal, albeit unintentionally. With his laptop open, he can follow the match on radio updates and enjoy a TV show - all while stuck behind curtains. While it may not be the high-octane experience promised, Butler's report serves as a reminder that even in the most inconvenient circumstances, there's always room for humor and observation.