Exeter pub refuses to serve blind fan in Exeter shirt
A BLIND man was refused service at Exeter’s newest pub — for wearing a red and white Grecian’s shirt.
Michael Gardner, 61, and his wife, Lynda, 62, were turned away from the Chevalier Inn at the top of Fore Street because the pub has a ban on football tops.
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Michael Gardner with wife Lynda outside the Chevalier Inn which refused to serve him as he was wearing a City shirt GARETH WILLIAMS EE280709_GW02_07
Mr Gardner, an Exeter City supporter for 20 years, said he was stunned by the pub’s attitude.
And his wife described the decision as appalling and vowed not to return to the Wetherspoon’s pub.
Mrs Gardner, of Hamlin Gardens, Heavitree, said: “It was an awful thing to do. It was lunchtime and there were no signs up and no warnings.
“I couldn’t believe it when Michael told me. He is almost completely blind and was wearing his dark glasses. He was quite flustered when they wouldn’t serve him.
“I asked why and was told the manager had banned football and rugby shirts. They didn’t say why.
“It is a Wetherspoon pub and I know Michael and other City fans go out of their way to visit Wetherspoon’s.
“Only the day before we were in the Wetherspoon’s pub in Cowick Street, The Sawyers, and Michael was wearing another of his Exeter shirts and he was served there.
“We just cannot understand why we should be turned away. It seems as so unfair and unreasonable. We certainly won’t be going back to that pub again.”
A spokesman for Wetherspoon’s said he could understand the exasperation of Mrs and Mrs Gardner.
But he said the matter of football shirts was left to the discretion of staff at each pub. He said: “We can understand their disappointment but we fully back the decision not to allow anyone wearing a football shirt — Exeter or anyone else — into the pub.
“We cannot go on to then discriminate according to age, as that would raise all sorts of problems.”
He added: “It is certainly no crime to wear an Exeter City shirt — and that’s from a Leyton Orient supporter.
“The Chevalier wants to make a fresh start, although that is no reflection on the previous pub.”
The Chevalier Inn recently became the fourth Wetherspoon pub in Exeter, joining The Imperial in New North Road, George’s Meeting House in South Street, and The Sawyer’s Arms in Cowick Street. Formerly the Hog’s Head, the new pub is thought to be the only one of the four to have a policy on not allowing people in wearing football shirts.
No one at Exeter City was available for comment.
73 Comments
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by Sunshine, Exeter
Friday, July 31 2009, 7:58PM
“I was very suprised to read on the front page that this man was making such a fuss about a ban on football shirts. Just because he is blind does not give him special treatment. Plenty of people have disabilities without playing on them.”
by emma bunton, exeter
Friday, July 31 2009, 3:49AM
“i love you tony tan”
by lisa, exeter
Thursday, July 30 2009, 4:39PM
“i think its absoloutely ridicullous that the fact the man is blind has been played on so much! there would have been just as much fuss caused if he wasnt turned away because of the fact he is blind! i work with young people with severe physical difficulties on a daily basis and they never let it hold them back or use it as an excuse for anything! the fact is he was wearing a football shirt which is not allowed in that particular venue thats all there is to it! being blind does not and simply should not come into it!”
by roberta keen, buddle lane, exeter
Thursday, July 30 2009, 2:36PM
“this is to james of st leonards, grow up hunni your so imature so what if peoples english aint "perfect" like urs so clearly is!! theres no need to put people down is there, have some respect were all human so be humane. or go poison some other website this one is for healthy dabates”
by James, St Leonards
Thursday, July 30 2009, 2:16PM
“The standard of English on this comments page is atrocious. Maybe people should spend some time brushing up on their literacy skills rather than drinking all the time! Come on people let's up our standards a bit, it's embarrassing sometimes!”
by roberta keen, bubble lane, exeter
Thursday, July 30 2009, 2:02PM
“to bernadette, your awnser is yes we had the full works thats what was so petty about it, also yesterday i was passing the sawers and seen a lad in his early 20's just standing under the umbrella outside the pub waiting for his elderly parent to leave the age consern place just down the road in cowick st as it was raining hard, and i meen HARD, so i joined him to take shelter from the rain for a few mins untill it calmed enough to make a move home, within 2 min s of me standing there this poor young lad got told he was not alowed to use there umbrellas without his ID. i over herd him explaining hes just waiting till it calms a bit so he can meet his mother down the road, but NO he had to stand in the pooring rain, there was no need for that they didnt even say a word to me, i herd about the staff in there victimiseing younger males in there early 20's but to see that with my own eyes was umbaliveable he was a very timmid lookin lad he was clearly not there to cause trouble. the sawers needs to think before the act there getting petty in the 2 week they been open they have banned over 70 people many of those have been drinking in the sawers for over 20 years. i love what they have done with the place but am weirey about drinking there incase i get banned for talking to loud or looking at the staff the wrong way!......bring back the old sawers and do us all a favor.”
by ?, Exeter
Thursday, July 30 2009, 1:09PM
“I cant belive that this is even a story!!! who cares if a man is blind or not!! Some night clubs have a rule that you cant wear trainers, that is a ruld and people should except that!! you dont see that being on front page news!! him being blind has absolutely nothinng to do with it!! get a grip every1!! Wetherspoons, you did the right thing|!!”
by Chris, Exeter
Thursday, July 30 2009, 7:16AM
“Admittedly I was surprised to read Wetherspoon pubs in general had banned the wearing of football and rugby shirts. One wouldn't expect draconian dress codes coming from such a middle of the road commercial drinking chain. Perhaps people will start to realise there's more to style and fashion than mismatched bargain leisure wear. How very European that would be...”
by Jeff, Bridford, Exeter
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 10:44PM
“Not sure why the Express & Echo had to make this front page news!
The pub had a dress code and quite rightly refused entry to this man. The fact that he was partially sighted was irrelevant.
I note and entirely agree with comments made by a pub landlord about problems with violence. Clearly this person was not going to cause problems - but that's not the point!”
by Bringbacktheoldsawyers, Exeter
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 9:50PM
“Those who think grown men shouldn't wear football shirts should go back to their Pimms and strawberries and ponder what putrid tweed they are going to wear tomorrow. I challenge anyone to name the last time they saw anyone in an ECFC shirt involved in trouble. Chris, Exeter has it spot on - its the Burberry and Stone Island brigade who most confuse with ECFC fans but actually have nothing whatsoever to do with the club.
That said, I totally agree with the ban if only to give anominity and protect those genuine fans of the club.”