Off Topic SAFE STANDING

It does look as though slowly, very slowly there seems to be a growing movement towards safe standing in stadiums. I am fortunate as to where I "sit" as I'm in the last row of my section with a walk area behind me which enables me to sit/stand meaning I don't push the seat down but sit on the end.

Much prefer standing at matches to sitting. Might explain why I like lower league games so much.

Anyway link below.

http://www.fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/celtic-safe-standing-decision

Those interested might want to contact the Club.

 

You can understand the arguments as to why standing should never be re-introduced. However, comparing football grounds and safety now to the 80's doesn't stand up to argument. Football stadiums in the 70's and 80's were like prisons. They were also death traps due to decades of neglect. Modern stadia together with current football spectator legislation, stewarding and policing make a repeat of tragedies such as Hillsborough highly unlikely [not impossible.] Fans should have a choice as to whether to sit or stand. There should be designated standing areas with tightly controlled entry. Just imagine say the Gallowgate or Leazes as a massive terrace. The noise could be deafening.

 

My concern would be the severity of the slope in stands at modern grounds. The grounds were designed this way to accommodate seating not standing. I think the designers would never have thought in years to come that standing would again be up for consideration and therefore their designs did not contain this possibility.

 

I am sure a mixture of seating and standing could work as long as the areas are tightly controlled. From what I have seen the standing area involves long barriers parallel to the terracing so that there is no upwards or downwards pressure from fan movement, with optional seats. The only point I can see for the latter is to identify an assigned space per person. Who is going to sit while people around are standing? Not sure how you decide when a row is full or how you stop people just pushing in front of others as used to be the case. If you assign a reserved space on the floor does that mean Obi is then going to have to buy two?

 

Maybe I'm being thick but I don't understand the arguments for not bringing it back at all.

Old style terracing was/is unsafe albeit good fun but the modern designs are safer than seating given the potential to fall over the row in a front when a goal is scored.

 

I think it was a case of understanding because people don't want a repeat of Hillsborough. As tragic as that was, you have to put it into context of the time. Hillsborough was regarded as one the best and safest venues in Britain back in 1989. However, football fans were treated like animals and the stadium safety certificate was completely out of date. Add to that minor alterations to capacity, the complete negligence of the Police on the day and you get the picture. Modern football stadiums are so ridiculously safe that a repeat of Hillsborough is highly unlikely. Fans are treated as customers and their comfort and safety is paramount. Policing and stewarding has come a long long way and crowd management is completely superior. If anything, we are a model for most other countries on how to properly manage crowd safety.

Sitting down at a game for me is just bollocks. I prefer away games where I constantly stand and sing. The atmosphere is better. If clubs want to introduce safe standing areas they should be allowed. They will be tightly managed and regulated and the technology is there to make sure it's as close to safe as possible. Freak accidents can happen of course, but they will be probably be rare. Well maintained stadia with proper crowd control should never have an issue.