A North Wales pub landlord has refused to show any more football and rugby matches on TV following a fighting outside between locals and people thought to be on holiday.
Violence was triggered in the street outside the Ship Hotel, Aberdaron, after England strolled to a 4-0 win over Ukraine in their Euro 2020 quarter final match, last Saturday.
North Wales Police were called at 10.45pm after reports of “disorder” near the popular Llŷn Peninsula pub, which in 2016 hosted a visit from Prince Charles and Camilla, reports North Wales Live.
On the same evening police also responded to more reports of disorder in the centre of Llanberis, Gwynedd, shortly after the England game had ended.
Ship Hotel manager Alun Harrison said he has since taken “all the necessary steps” to prevent a repeat performance. This includes bans for punters involved in the fracas, and closing the bar earlier than normal.
In a series of Facebook posts, he said: “I have decided I will not be showing any more football on my TV in the bar. All the people involved will be banned from the Ship. Either behave or you are not welcome, it’s simple.”
Mr Harrison called the police over the fighting, and with next year marking 40 years working at the Ship Inn, he is keen to retain the pub’s hospitable reputation by nipping potential problems in the bud.
He wrote: “It was locals from Sarn and Aberdaron fighting a few holidaymakers over football, hence why I have now banned all football and rugby on my TV in the bar. This happened outside and not in my pub. I think by now I run a very safe business, we never have problems inside.”
Mr Harrison indicated the fighting stemmed from local resentment over England’s comfortable victory on Saturday night.
He added: “If [you're] looking to blame I suggest you start with BBC Wales for showing football on a Saturday night. That’s why I will not be showing any more football on TV in the bar. Blame them and not me, thank you.”
Some local people are worried the fighting might now deter tourists from visiting the area.
One Facebook user said that, in the wake of the incident, she was called by a woman from Nottingham who plans to stay in a house near Aberdaron in late July.
“She is very concerned about the safety of her family and grandchildren while on holiday,” she wrote.
“This kind of anti-social behaviour has to be stopped.”
Horrified residents sprang to the defence of a village which, they said, is “one of the safest places in the UK”. Holidaymakers with special affection for the area were also quick to point out the fighting was out of character.
One said: “We have never experienced any anti-social behaviour and nothing but kindness and a lovely welcome from local people over 50-plus years holidaying in Llŷn.”
Another added: “We have been many a year, I think this must have been a complete one-off, never seen anything like it at all, we have chatted to the locals and enjoyed the food. Please do not be put off by this – in my experience of 40 years going I have never seen anything other than friendly people.”
Another holidaymaker said she loved the Ship’s warm welcome, adding: “Sad that there are so many people around who manage to spoil things for other customers and the staff who have to deal with the fall-out of their bad behaviour.”
In a statement, North Wales Police said its officers had responded to “reports of disorder” outside the Ship Hotel.
A spokesperson added: “Officers attended the location and the parties had separated and dispersed.”
Police were also called to the High Steet in Llanberis at around 11pm on Saturday night following similar reports.
The spokesperson added: “Officers attended to find a large gathering of people who shortly dispersed from the location after officer attendance."
