ABERDEEN fans attending the Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock early next month will be able to whet their appetite for the action by downing pints up until kick off.
The Dons have announced that supporters will be able to purchases pints in the Richard Donald Lower concourse area before and until kick-off, with alcohol sales set to be made available to HOME fans only.
They say the initiative is taking place to “gather insight” on how the sales of alcohol can support as “positive and safe” matchday experience.
The Dons wrote: “Aberdeen can confirm that our upcoming home fixture in the William Hill Premiership against Kilmarnock on Sunday 14 December (kick-off 3:00pm) has been granted a licence by Aberdeen City Council for the sale of alcohol at this match.
“The Richard Donald Stand Lower concourse area at Pittodrie will offer alcohol for purchase before kick-off at the game. This will only be available to home fans, and these sales will be managed in full accordance with licensing laws, with appropriate security and stewarding in place.
“The aim of the initiative is to gather insight into how a carefully managed approach to alcohol sales can support a positive and safe matchday experience for supporters, as part of wider work taking place across Scottish football to improve fan engagement and enhance the overall stadium environment.
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“Supporters are reminded that alcohol may only be consumed within clearly designated areas and not in sight of the pitch, and all sales will take place in clearly defined, monitored areas of the stadium. Matchday operations, stewarding and safety planning will remain consistent with our usual high standards.
“We hope this will add to the enjoyment of the matchday experience for supporters and would like to pass on our thanks to fans for their continued support and cooperation.”
Championship outfit St Johnstone also say they’ve also been granted the green light “for the controlled sale of alcohol at our upcoming SPFL William Hill Championship matches against Queen‘s Park and Greenock Morton“.
They say that both home AND away supporters will be able to purchase alcohol from a kiosk between 2pm and 2.45pm and during half time on the matches on November 15 and December 20 respectively.
It comes after seven smaller SPFL clubs were given the green light to flog alcohol before and after matches in a controversial pilot scheme that kicked off back in July.
The likes of Ayr Utd, Arbroath, Stirling Albion and Queen of the South participated in the scheme for Premier Sports Cup matches – although some clubs decided it WASN’T worth he hassle.
It’s four decades now since booze was banned at Scottish football grounds in the wake of violent scenes between Rangers and Celtic fans in 1980.
But it’s long been a bugbear of Scottish football fans that they aren’t permitted to drink inside grounds, unlike visitors to Scottish rugby stadiums such as Murrayfield or fans at English football matches.
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