Watford impose derby alcohol ban

Watford Football Club has today confirmed that they will be adhering to a Police request to ban the sale of alcohol ahead of the local derby with Luton Town this weekend.

The Hertfordshire Police has written to all local pubs asking them to remain closed before, during and after the match in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the trouble that marred Luton Town's last visit to Vicarage Road for a League Cup tie in 2002, and the football club has now followed suit as Paddy Flavin, Watford FC's director of services speaking to the official site explained,

“We are committed to making this game an occasion where football is the winner – for both sets of supporters.

“We are taking prudent and responsible measures to ensure the occasion is not marred in any way. We are grateful to the pubs in Watford, who have acceded to the police's request not to open on the day. Similarly we are not opening our public kiosks in the stadium, thereby ensuring that the fixture is an alcohol free zone in public areas”