Blundell Bungle Beer!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 08/08/2001

OLD BILLY the blacksmith, first time in his life, came home cold sober to his darling wife. As he walked in the kitchen she said, you're early my dear. Then he broke down and told her. The pub's got no beer!

So sang Australian Slim Dusty in the 60's hit "The Pub With No Beer." Unfortunately the song came true today when the Grimsby Telegraph revealed that Blundell Park will be a dry ship until September 5 due to an internal blunder when someone forgot to apply for the renewal of their drinks license.

The club's six bars are banned from selling alcohol until the license is restored and it seems that due to the licensing act at sporting events the magistrates cannot treat the application with sympathy.

The games affected are the Crewe game on Saturday, The Worthington Cup clash with Lincoln City on Tuesday, Preston North End on August 25 and Barnsley on September 1 - the day England play Germany in a World Cup qualifier.

The Grimsby Telegraph in its report said: : The move could cost the club thousands of pounds in lost revenue from supporters and corporate hospitality.

The club has to apply every year for a licence to sell alcohol. There are six bars at the club, - five owned by Grimsby Town. The sixth is the Inn on the Park. Each has a separate licensee. None will be able to serve alcohol until at least next month.

The club has to give notice of 28 days before the renewal application is heard by magistrates. North East Lincolnshire Council and the police then have time to make any objections within those 28 days.

Grimsby Town only applied last week for the renewal. It sought permission to apply for renewal outside the 28 day limit, but magistrates said they had no discretion because of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985.

Club press officer Tim Harvey said: "We are considering the implications and exploring all avenues that are open to us."

He refused to comment how much money the club would lose and why the application was made late.

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