Why Football Fans Need Safe Standing

[Sir Cheshire Ben]

Sorry for going OT but had mention this?

The boxes behind the away support last night must be the ****test way to watch a game of football.

I can't honestly think of a reason that would get me to even consider watching a game from in there.

Sterilisation of the football experience taken to the extreme.

 

[Barchullona]

PSV have just announced that they're removing all 2,800 seats in their East Stand and replacing them with safe standing rail seats ahead of next season.

Unfortunately I think it is unlikely here. And if it does come in there will be that many caveats and restrictions to make the experience anything but vibrant.

 

[DMD]

Unfortunately I think it is unlikely here. And if it does come in there will be that many caveats and restrictions to make the experience anything but vibrant.

It's odd isn't it? In all other walks[sic] of life, including events with lots of people, I can stand fine. I've managed it for years, but get people like me to football and seemingly risk losing the ability to stand without a purpose made communal zimmer frame.

I think the health people need to examine it, as the flopsy that plagues us seems to have afflicted a lot of players too.

 

[AlRawdah]

Sorry for going OT but had mention this?

The boxes behind the away support last night must be the ****test way to watch a game of football.

I can't honestly think of a reason that would get me to even consider watching a game from in there.

Sterilisation of the football experience taken to the extreme.

The boxes behind the away end at Old Trafford are the same. It must be like watching football from a dimly lit coffin.

 

[PLT]

Apart from the cost of the change of seats (and a visit to Parliament) the issue of access, egress and safety zones could remain as is if the stand was kept at the same capacity. A bit like the reduction for unreserved seats.

Apparently I liked this post back whenever you made it. I just noticed it again thanks to the bump. I think these access and egress issues are seriously exaggerated. They've talked about the 8 minute rule for getting everyone out, or whatever number it is. But a lot of away grounds, notably The Emirates take absolutely ages to get out of, whereas the KC as it is is very quick. Similarly they talk about having to be no more than X number of seats from a gangway, bit that also doesn't seem to be such a problem at other clubs, notably Old Trafford where last season I was in a seat where you could only leave to your right, the left just led to some segregation netting. The person next to the netting must have been 20-30 seats away from the nearest gangway.

All these issues I'm sure can be dealt with, but there needs to he an appetite to do so from those making the decisions.

 

[DMD]

Apparently I liked this post back whenever you made it. I just noticed it again thanks to the bump. I think these access and egress issues are seriously exaggerated. They've talked about the 8 minute rule for getting everyone out, or whatever number it is. But a lot of away grounds, notably The Emirates take absolutely ages to get out of, whereas the KC as it is is very quick. Similarly they talk about having to be no more than X number of seats from a gangway, bit that also doesn't seem to be such a problem at other clubs, notably Old Trafford where last season I was in a seat where you could only leave to your right, the left just led to some segregation netting. The person next to the netting must have been 20-30 seats away from the nearest gangway.

All these issues I'm sure can be dealt with, but there needs to he an appetite to do so from those making the decisions.

It's not to get them out, it's to get them to a place of safety.

Plus, these things are not rules as such, but guidance. It is possible to deviate from the guidance, as City do in places, but the people deviating would need a robust defence in the event of an incident.

 

[oldman]

Not for me - prefer to sit comfortably in the West Upper with my coacoa and flask. Don't even like standing in pubs.

 

[C'mon ref]

Standing has mostly always been safe its just the few stupid idots, too many wine gums some of them, who think it is somehow funny to push the person in front of them to start the domino effect, seen it a few times on Bunkers Hill. Don't remember it much on the North Stand end and don't remember seeing it at any of the other grounds I visited over the years, including the so called notorious Stretford End.

 

[RowZ]

Hopefully when the Hillsborough Inquests finally end we can start the campaign in earnest.

 

[Barchullona]

Standing has mostly always been safe its just the few stupid idots, too many wine gums some of them, who think it is somehow funny to push the person in front of them to start the domino effect, seen it a few times on Bunkers Hill. Don't remember it much on the North Stand end and don't remember seeing it at any of the other grounds I visited over the years, including the so called notorious Stretford End.

You must have had your eyes shut when visiting other grounds.

Wouldn't happen under safe standing as there is a rail on every terrace so less chance of people going forward than if they are standing in an all seated area. Of course the police and safety groups still insist it would be dangerous despite all the evidence from Germany to the contrary.

 

[FILEYseadog]

Crowd surges happened at loads of grounds mr ref....including man u. liverpool
etc. It wasnt exclusive to bunkers..

They should never have took standing areas away imo

 

[originallambrettaman]

Hopefully when the Hillsborough Inquests finally end we can start the campaign in earnest.

I think this will be the case, too many politicians have been wary of getting involved while the inquest was ongoing.

 

[Cortez91]

Is it possible to just install the seats anyway in this country?

Don't advertise them as safe standing etc, just sell them as regular seats but those that which to stand in them, can do so?

 

[The FRENCH TICKLER]

Hopefully when the Hillsborough Inquests finally end we can start the campaign in earnest.

Hopefully when that happens everyone will know that standing is safe when done properly.

I think many now know who is to blame for Hillsborough.

 

[C'mon ref]

You must have had your eyes shut when visiting other grounds.

Wouldn't happen under safe standing as there is a rail on every terrace so less chance of people going forward than if they are standing in an all seated area. Of course the police and safety groups still insist it would be dangerous despite all the evidence from Germany to the contrary.

Why would I shut my eyes? Even on Bunkers there were rails, although not continuous ones and incidents were few and far between considering the size of the crowds at some matches. Ipswich, Birmingham, Cardiff, Carlisle, York, Newcastle, Charlton Athletic, Derby, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, were just a few of the grounds I visited in those days, the stadium disasters were not always due, as far as I remember, to standing, Glasgow Rangers I think happened when fans were leaving the stadium after the match. And the amount of games played in those days were mainly peaceful affairs although some clubs were notorious for trouble both outside and inside the grounds, Millwall and Leeds seemed to grab the headlines a lot. We were intimidated a few times on our travels but that is not the same thing and had nothing to do with whether you stood or sat, just football as it was.

 

[Barchullona]

Why would I shut my eyes? Even on Bunkers there were rails, although not continuous ones and incidents were few and far between considering the size of the crowds at some matches. Ipswich, Birmingham, Cardiff, Carlisle, York, Newcastle, Charlton Athletic, Derby, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, were just a few of the grounds I visited in those days, the stadium disasters were not always due, as far as I remember, to standing, Glasgow Rangers I think happened when fans were leaving the stadium after the match. And the amount of games played in those days were mainly peaceful affairs although some clubs were notorious for trouble both outside and inside the grounds, Millwall and Leeds seemed to grab the headlines a lot. We were intimidated a few times on our travels but that is not the same thing and had nothing to do with whether you stood or sat, just football as it was.

If you didn't see crowd surges at other grounds then you must have had your eyes shut. The thought this didn't happen on the Stretford End is laughable. You seem to think that it was somehow unique to Bunker Hill.

 

[C'mon ref]

If you didn't see crowd surges at other grounds then you must have had your eyes shut. The thought this didn't happen on the Stretford End is laughable. You seem to think that it was somehow unique to Bunker Hill.

It didn't happen on the Stretford End at the matches I saw, or any of the other grounds I mentioned, that was the point, on the whole safe standing, as its now called, was relatively safe at most grounds when I was there. It wasn't pleasant at times if someone farted or decided to have a pee but there was not a lot you could do if you were hemmed in by people all around. And seeing as I was on Bunkers Hill most of the time at BP then of course that is where I would experience the stupidity of some people, although in the bad times you nearly have Bunkers Hill to yourself so it was no problem.

 

[Edelman]

Not for me - prefer to sit comfortably in the West Upper with my coacoa and flask. Don't even like standing in pubs.

I hate standing in pubs.
Defo love to see standing back but i would still sit personally

 

[Barchullona]

It didn't happen on the Stretford End at the matches I saw, or any of the other grounds I mentioned, that was the point, on the whole safe standing, as its now called, was relatively safe at most grounds when I was there. It wasn't pleasant at times if someone farted or decided to have a pee but there was not a lot you could do if you were hemmed in by people all around. And seeing as I was on Bunkers Hill most of the time at BP then of course that is where I would experience the stupidity of some people, although in the bad times you nearly have Bunkers Hill to yourself so it was no problem.

I saw it happen at plenty of grounds. You can see it on loads of clips at matches in the 60s and 70s. Nothing malicious just a surge of people going forward at moments of excitement or when a goal,was scored. Anyone not stood like a dummy in a tailor's shop was not stupid or a hooligan. Bunker Hill (that is the name or Bunkers but not Bunkers Hill to be correct) wasn't that big anyway after seating was put in. A big mistake putting seating in at both ends of the ground as it didn't help the atmosphere. The North Stand would have made a great Kop and have been very noisy if left all standing. Incidentally, when we bid to be a World Cup ground in 1965 outside of Wembley only .Hillsborough and Goodison Park had more seats than Boothferry, although Old Trafford overtook,us by the time of the competition.
The Stretford End wasn't as big as you might have thought especially when you consider the seats at the back.

 

[Edelman]

I saw it happen at plenty of grounds. You can see it on loads of clips at matches in the 60s and 70s. Nothing malicious just a surge of people going forward at moments of excitement or when a goal,was scored. Anyone not stood like a dummy in a tailor's shop was not stupid or a hooligan. Bunker Hill (that is the name or Bunkers but not Bunkers Hill to be correct) wasn't that big anyway after seating was put in. A big mistake putting seating in at both ends of the ground as it didn't help the atmosphere. The North Stand would have made a great Kop and have been very noisy if left all standing. Incidentally, when we bid to be a World Cup ground in 1965 outside of Wembley only .Hillsborough and Goodison Park had more seats than Boothferry, although Old Trafford overtook,us by the time of the competition.
The Stretford End wasn't as big as you might have thought especially when you consider the seats at the back.

I thought the Stretford End didnt get seats until around 1990