Safe Standing

So the SFA are going to trial it. Yet the FA wont ever look into it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16248937.stm

At least they listen to the fans

 

Imagine the Gallowgate with standing again..... Oh yes...

 

Didn't really see the problem with level 7... Just like I don't see a problem with EVEYONE standing and clapping for five minutes before the game kicks off...

Now I get annoyed when every three minutes the chant "stand-up if..." starts... Please to god, just let me either sit or stand!

 

Probably won't happen in England. The FA won't want another Hillsborough on their hands.

 

Why cant they just say look we dont endorse it but if youd like to do it then fine, if you dont ok. Give clubs the choice

 

But things have changed with electronic tickets and better CCTV and emergency procedures

 

The back 2 rows do stand...........I was there Saturday.

 

no fences

 

Fair point, but i just can't see it happening. I'm all for standing, if it increases the capacity, and allows more fans in, then thats good for Business and team morale, but i don't see the FA doing it.

 

ive heard it wouldnt

 

If the SFA do, and it works, might encourage them. Probably not because the FA are ****, but still we can hope.

 

Thats weird.

 

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Safe standing works in Germany, no issues with ticketing or security as everyone still has a seat and as you can see, there is a safety rail. The FA are understandably reluctant to bring back standing for fear of another Hillsbrough disaster but that wasn't purely down to the fact people were standing, it was poor policing and miscommunication.

The standards of stewarding and emphasis on safety have massively improved since those days and I can't see any issue with top clubs introducing standing sections like those in Germany and soon-to-be in Scotland.

Hopefully the SPL trial will go well and the FA will be forced to reconsider their stance.


ps. Kyle, as you can see, there needs to be a little extra space for a rail whilst a seat must still be available. In an uncontrolled situation, yes, you can fit more people in a space standing than sitting (Croft Park on a cup day when you're rubbing shoulders with eachother is PACKED) but at this level and with the obvious concerns, free standing won't ever be introduced.

 

Here's the thing...there's no incentive for English clubs to implement it. In Germany there was the period of new stadiums being built, so they were able to build the safe standing sections straight away. But if capacity doesn't increase, there's no reason for owners to pay to have seats removed and standing sections created in existing English grounds.

 

I think it would be great if SJP could be converted into 50% standing and 50% sitting. Much better atmosphere but still keeps everyone happy.

 

I think with a lot of clubs suffering drops in attendance, some club owners may see it as a way to bring fans back. I think it'd very much be a case of a 'standing section' as opposed to large numbers, say an area that seats/stands 2k. That wouldn't cost too much whilst being seen as 'responding to the needs of customers/fans'.

If the FA backed down I could see a few clubs doing it for the PR it would bring.

 

Got my hopes up when I misread SFA as FA.

Another Hillsborough disaster would be nigh on impossible, due to the fact that you can't even get into the ground without having an allocated seat...

 

http://www.footballtransfertavern.c...ivisions-will-happen-according-to-lib-dems-mp

Apparently there's a bill under discussion.

Personally, I think it'll never pass. Even though it was a truly awful event, people will be far to touchy over Hillsborough, even though standing was only a minor part in that disaster, and the government would have no choice but to refuse it.