Blackpool Football Club Stadium hotel: where you can watch a match without actually watching it - or so it seems. One would assume that staying in a "Superior Room with Pitch View" at this hotel, situated inside the Bloomfield Road Stadium, would be an absolute dream come true for football fans. However, upon closer inspection, things take a rather peculiar turn.
It appears that EFL rules dictate that anyone in view of the pitch must have a ticket - and by 'in view', we're talking about literally having a clear line of sight to the playing field from your hotel room window. Sounds reasonable, you'd think? Well, there's just one teeny tiny problem: according to this very same rule, bedroom curtains cannot be opened during a match.
Now, I'm not going to lie - when I received this briefing for my assignment at Blackpool FC Stadium hotel, the thought of spending an entire match in darkness did seem more than a tad tempting after a long day's work. But that said, there's a £2,500 fine waiting at the end of the line if you break this little rule.
As it happens, I've found myself stuck with no view and absolutely nothing to see for my first half hour of the match - but what a difference a free wifi signal makes when the rest is pitch black. I've taken to relying on radio updates, hotel room news (including that lovely 1-0 lead by Blackpool's Zac Ashworth), and an episode of Escape to the Country to keep myself occupied.
Of course, it does all boil down to a rather simple solution: EFL should probably sell matchday tickets with their rooms to avoid this whole kerfuffle. After that, there's room for debate on whether the blanket ban on alcohol within view of the pitch is really necessary or not. While some may see it as unfair, others might argue its proportionate - but the fact remains, it does feel a bit draconian.
All things considered, my little exercise in darkness has left me feeling more than a little disappointed - though I do have to admit that this hotel room does come with complimentary soap and comfy bed. So while we may still be a ways off from football fans being able to cheer on their team while enjoying a glass of beer (or whatever your drink of choice might be) from the comfort of their own home, it seems there's still hope for reform - even if I won't get to enjoy this particular Blackpool match experience myself.
It appears that EFL rules dictate that anyone in view of the pitch must have a ticket - and by 'in view', we're talking about literally having a clear line of sight to the playing field from your hotel room window. Sounds reasonable, you'd think? Well, there's just one teeny tiny problem: according to this very same rule, bedroom curtains cannot be opened during a match.
Now, I'm not going to lie - when I received this briefing for my assignment at Blackpool FC Stadium hotel, the thought of spending an entire match in darkness did seem more than a tad tempting after a long day's work. But that said, there's a £2,500 fine waiting at the end of the line if you break this little rule.
As it happens, I've found myself stuck with no view and absolutely nothing to see for my first half hour of the match - but what a difference a free wifi signal makes when the rest is pitch black. I've taken to relying on radio updates, hotel room news (including that lovely 1-0 lead by Blackpool's Zac Ashworth), and an episode of Escape to the Country to keep myself occupied.
Of course, it does all boil down to a rather simple solution: EFL should probably sell matchday tickets with their rooms to avoid this whole kerfuffle. After that, there's room for debate on whether the blanket ban on alcohol within view of the pitch is really necessary or not. While some may see it as unfair, others might argue its proportionate - but the fact remains, it does feel a bit draconian.
All things considered, my little exercise in darkness has left me feeling more than a little disappointed - though I do have to admit that this hotel room does come with complimentary soap and comfy bed. So while we may still be a ways off from football fans being able to cheer on their team while enjoying a glass of beer (or whatever your drink of choice might be) from the comfort of their own home, it seems there's still hope for reform - even if I won't get to enjoy this particular Blackpool match experience myself.
I gotta say, £2,500 fine for not having a clear view of the pitch while watching the match? That's crazy! 
What's next, paying a fee to breathe during the game? 
And don't even get me started on the radio updates - who thought that was a good idea? 
But seriously, I think it's ridiculous that you can't even open your curtains if you're near the pitch. It's like they want to cut off all distractions from the game. 
Can you imagine being stuck in the dark during a match and only able to get updates through radio or hotel news? It's like they're trying to suck the fun out of football fandom... 
But hey, at least the room has comfy bed and free soap, right? 
, can you imagine having a hotel room with pitch view and literally being stuck in darkness during the match? Like, what's the point of staying at Bloomfield Road Stadium hotel if you're just gonna be in the dark?! 
I mean, £2,500 fine is kinda steep too... 2.5k 
for not having curtains on a Monday night match? 
omg what a total joke of a system 
they need to relax on that blanket ban tho £2k fine over a little window curtain opening lol and dont even get me started on the free wifi signal being like the ultimate lifesaver in this situation 
maybe they should've thought of that before they made the whole hotel room thing a total gimmick 
. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO HAVE A £2,500 FINE FOR HAVING CURTAINS OPENED IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE PITCH, RIGHT? FREE WIFI IS LIKE, THE ULTIMATE BONUSE AT THIS POINT...