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Tickets for Brentford’s upcoming away match at Wolverhampton Wanderers are about to go on sale – and for many Bees fans, that announcement brings back memories of some of the most frustrating and unwelcoming away days we’ve experienced in both the Premier League and the Championship.

For years, Wolves away has been a byword for everything football shouldn’t be in 2025. I oppose the policy of refusing entry to away fans in almost all pubs in the town. It completely undermines the friendly, inclusive matchday culture that Brentford fans are proud of, both home and away. Our fanbase and club have built something special – an atmosphere of mutual respect and community. But a visit to Wolverhampton feels like stepping back in time to a darker era of football, when fans were treated as problems to be contained, not people to be welcomed. Now compare that to the ‘welcomed with open arms’ reception away fans are treated to back in Brentford… we treat people with respect!

Last season, we walked from pub to pub, turned away by bouncers at nearly every door. No colours, no chanting – just a few Bees fans hoping for a pre-match pint. But our accents gave us away at the checkpoint to get in. “Sorry lads, no away fans.” That’s all it took. Imagine that being acceptable in any other walk of life – being refused entry simply because of where you’re from or how you sound. It’s 2025, not 1985, yet somehow this outdated mindset persists and flourishes. Surely Wolves fans (and this article isn’t a dig about their fanbase) aren’t happy about their town being viewed this way either?

There is, officially, an “away fan pub” right next to the train station – and yes, it’s fine. There’s a decent vibe, a bit of banter, and you can get a drink without hassle. But it’s a soulless, chain-style venue – more Harvester than local. Being funnelled into the one pub in town that’s deemed “safe” enough to serve southerners is outrageous. It completely misses the point of what makes football culture so rich: fans mixing freely, exploring local pubs and sharing in the matchday buzz.

It’s hard to pin down who’s responsible as it’s simply been that way for ages… The venues will no doubt tell you it’s “on police advice,” while the police would no doubt claim it’s “the venue’s decision.” Either way, the result is the same – a de facto ban on away fans in most of the town. It’s simply an exclusion order, wrapped in a veneer of “safety.”

To be fair, there are a few bright spots – small, slightly more welcoming pubs on the outskirts, maybe a 30-minute walk from Molineux. There, you might find a proper pint, a doorstep cheese cob, and even a few Wolves fans asking, “How did you find this place?” Those moments of normality only highlight how wrong the broader policy is.

A trip to Wolverhampton shouldn’t feel like a trip back to the Middle Ages. Football has moved on. Fans have moved on. Yet in that town, on matchday, time seems frozen. I look forward to Wolves away in the same way I look forward to a visit to the dentist – something to be endured, not enjoyed.

It’s time for supporter groups – both Brentford’s and Wolves’ – and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) to speak out. This isn’t about one club’s fans. It’s about fairness, respect, and the shared belief that football is for everyone. If we don’t challenge these antiquated attitudes now, they’ll keep shaping the away-day experience for years to come.

Dave Lane