For the price of a luxury hotel room with panoramic views of the pitch at the Bloomfield Road Stadium in Blackpool, a football fan could expect a thrilling experience, not one that leaves them feeling like they're missing out. The stadium itself is a treasure trove of nostalgic charm and sporting history, but what happens when you book a "Superior Room with Pitch View" only to discover the curtains have to be drawn throughout a match?
It all started when Michael Butler, a sports journalist from The Guardian, checked into this hotel room for an assignment. He had expected his usual perks, but instead, he found himself in a windowless space that left him itching for some action on and off the pitch. As if things weren't enough, he also heard fans taunting Blackpool supporters – an uncanny contrast between his private darkness and the lively atmosphere beyond the curtains.
Butler couldn't help but chuckle as he settled into his hotel room amidst a half-watched game, where Zac Ashworth had scored for Blackpool. He had complimentary soaps in one corner of his en-suite bathroom and radio updates on another – all while stuck with an unending silence from outside.
He also discovered that the main reasons behind this peculiar situation are rooted in EFL rules against anyone in view of a pitch being able to have a ticket, but alcohol is probably at play too. The Sporting Events Act 1985 prevents drinking near pitches and has been largely ignored by football authorities with the exception of some smaller clubs. In theory, hotel rooms could be an area where this rule isn't strictly observed – although, there aren't any hotel packages on offer for matches like in the case of Bolton Wanderers' venue.
Some have called to change these regulations as they may seem out of place in today's sporting landscape. Until then, Butler found himself caught between a rock and a hard place where he could only watch his football heroes from behind black curtains that had been pulled down by necessity rather than choice.
It all started when Michael Butler, a sports journalist from The Guardian, checked into this hotel room for an assignment. He had expected his usual perks, but instead, he found himself in a windowless space that left him itching for some action on and off the pitch. As if things weren't enough, he also heard fans taunting Blackpool supporters – an uncanny contrast between his private darkness and the lively atmosphere beyond the curtains.
Butler couldn't help but chuckle as he settled into his hotel room amidst a half-watched game, where Zac Ashworth had scored for Blackpool. He had complimentary soaps in one corner of his en-suite bathroom and radio updates on another – all while stuck with an unending silence from outside.
He also discovered that the main reasons behind this peculiar situation are rooted in EFL rules against anyone in view of a pitch being able to have a ticket, but alcohol is probably at play too. The Sporting Events Act 1985 prevents drinking near pitches and has been largely ignored by football authorities with the exception of some smaller clubs. In theory, hotel rooms could be an area where this rule isn't strictly observed – although, there aren't any hotel packages on offer for matches like in the case of Bolton Wanderers' venue.
Some have called to change these regulations as they may seem out of place in today's sporting landscape. Until then, Butler found himself caught between a rock and a hard place where he could only watch his football heroes from behind black curtains that had been pulled down by necessity rather than choice.
I mean, who wants to pay top dollar for a luxury experience only to have to sit in darkness while watching their team play? It's like they're trying to put a damper on the fan experience. And it's not just the lack of natural light, it's the fact that fans are being excluded from the action altogether. I get where the EFL rules might be, but can't they make an exception for people watching the game in a safe and controlled environment? 
It's like they're saying "sorry, you're not part of the main event" just because you chose to watch from your hotel room. And don't even get me started on the fans being booed by those outside their window... that's just harsh! 
i mean i love blackpool fc and all but i feel for michael butler, he was basically stuck in this windowless room watching radio updates 
and fans taunting blackpool supporters 
meanwhile they're out there having a blast and living their best life outside 
! Can't they just chill on one thing – enjoying a match in peace? I mean, I get it, there's some history and tradition at stake, but do they really need to make the fans sit in a windowless room with drawn curtains?! It's like they're trying to suck the fun out of the experience 
... it's just too much! I guess that's progress, huh? 
The rules might seem outdated, but hey, at least there's some consistency across teams. Let's just say, if I'm gonna shell out for a room with pitch views, I expect to be able to see some action – not sit in the dark! 
. But nope! Not when it comes to EFL rules and stuff. It's pretty wild how some regulations just don't make sense anymore 
. Like, shouldn't we be able to enjoy our sports with the curtains open? Just saying 
. All this just makes me think that there's more to the story than we're being told. Maybe they're trying to create some kind of... I don't know, football atmosphere or something? But what if it's not about the sport at all? What if it's about controlling our perception and limiting our access to information? It gives me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it 
.