Pubs switch off England match to prevent disorder

Pubs suffering at the hands of football hooligans are being pressured into bringing in new rules to reduce trouble.

Twenty five licensees in Croydon, Surrey, decided not to show England's friendly with the Ukraine last week after police highlighted the potential for disorder.

Around 400 drunken thugs targeted Croydon during Euro 2004 and police and the town's licensees were keen to ensure such incidents were not repeated when the game was televised last week.

And across the country police are asking pubs to increase door-staff presence, use plastic glasses and even to close for the evening in order to stamp out alcohol-related violence after games.

Steve Cleall, licensee at the Hogs Head in Croydon (pictured)​, said: "Before the Ukraine game we were asked if we could add doorstaff and use plastic glasses.

"I thought this would put customers off but as I felt we would not generate a lot of business from the game anyway I decided not to show it. Boycotting the game will only work if everyone agrees - and ultimately it should be up to individual licensees."

He added: "It would be a lot easier if we didn't have to put up with the troublemakers in the first place."

The situation is not unique and in Birmingham last year one fixture led police to encourage licensees to shut pubs down completely.

Matt Clapison, licensee at the Newt and Cucumber in Birmingham, was one of the only town centre venues to remain open during the Aston Villa-Birmingham match in which tensions were high.

"We policed that game responsibly and closed when the final whistle went so we had no trouble. But I understand why others closed entirely," he said.

"It's particularly bad in places that heavily discount [drink] and I can see it going the same way this season."

Russell McFadden, licensee at the Faversham in Leeds, said: "It's happened in Leeds for the bigger games such as Leeds-Manchester United and will happen again, even for pubs that don't screen it but are a draw for fans.

"We've never had any trouble here but if we ever had cause for concern we'd certainly have to consider closing."

Chris Gould, licensing officer for Croydon Police, said troublemakers were being sent the message that they are not welcome in pubs. "We have very responsible licensees in Croydon and we all want the town to be seen as a safe place to come and drink," he said.

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