I agree with the lib dems point of view that clubs should be able to have a section of the ground that can be used for standing. I was brought up on the north bank and there was nothing like it, today i appreciate sitting but that is because im getting on and have bad legs but it would not bother me if we had a section of the ground where fans can stand. I dont go anymore but that is on principle of how football has gone money crazy and have joined the growing thousands making a stand against the people who run football....I would be happy to see the terraces back even though limited....
What's changed? The passage of time doesn't make terraces safer now than before. A vote-getting gimmick I'm afraid. Who hasn't got fond memories of the North Bank? Freezing my nuts off as I stepped in puddles of urine flowing down from the back was great. Football has moved on. If the bad old days of hooliganism return terraces will again prove to be a disaster imo.
I can't see why terraces have anything to do with hooliganism? Cultural factors and modern policing methods have nearly eradicated hooliganism, not the disappearance of terraces. If you have doubts about safe standing areas, look at the German stadiums. Prefect example of how to do it.
I am in favour of safe standing areas for those that want it. When I was a young man I used to stand and shout and make a lot of noise on the North Bank at the old Vetch. Now I am in my dotage I prefer to sit in comfort and whilst I still have my passion for the Swans it is more reflective. Surely sitters and standers can be catered for without one inconveniencing the other. The Bundesliga after all have been doing it for years.
As long as it makes football cheaper to watch and it's safe I'd agree with it, many are already priced out of watching football having to pay £35/£45 for a match day ticket so a standing ticket at a reduced rate would be very appealing. The Germans have the right idea, I heard that Bayern Munich have season tickets available for just over £100 which is amazing value and am sure we'd easier fill an expanded Liberty if prices were made more affordable.
This is safe standing - and it's backed by the Swans : http://www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/safe-standing/
Isn't it funny how times change? Bit like the USSR suddenly morphing into another country that was our friend so we changed our priorities and dismantled a lot of the deterrents, moving NATO troops away from our newest ally and ploughing money into other things. Now Russia seems to be up to its old tricks and we can do absolutely nothing about it. That country wouldn't have dared annex a part of another country all those years ago. And the prize for the worst example of the week goes to... OK the point is that if history is given a chance to repeat itself it usually does. Can't say I'm vehemently against the idea - as a former North Bank afficionado I get it - but I see it as a step backwards.
How can something like safe standing be a step backwards Its been studied and safety measures have been implemented to make standing on the terraces a pleasurable experience, Like some have said the Germans have got it right and i would not say it has sent them backwards, would you...
Well as I have to explain it to the more condescending among us..... in my opinion it's a step backwards because we've been there and done that and it ended in disaster. German culture isn't ours and I honestly don't trust our fans to behave and not cause a crush - yes I realise that's less likely with the new design. You're still pressing against a metal bar and clubs will have to cram in the bodies to make up for the cheaper cost of a ticket. I'm more neutral than against it but these considerations are valid and the point I was making earlier (Ok probably badly) is that we humans have short memories. Isn't it funny how times change? Have to say I quite like the Hannover design that converts rails into seats. That could work.
Whats more dangerous , standing in designated and controlled standing areas or standing in seated areas , I know what I'd prefer
It's a matter of time before it comes in. The football authorities had to act positively after the disasters in the 1980's - but now times moved on. The design of standing areas has improved 100% and it is the logical step to ensure sports stadia meet the desires of all supporters. In fact, a 100% seated arena led to fighting at Wembley amongst our own supporters because of the stand up/sit down arguments.
It's not a step backwards at all! If you look each standing area is numbered like seats so people don't simply get crammed in. Watch the video in the link PGF posted. Modern engineering and health and safety laws are incomparable to structures around in the 70's. The liberty is perfect for safe standing areas, it is built to cope with high levels of human traffic.
Well I nearly fell down one of the entrance tunnels when Darren Pratley scored against Cardiff, so yea I'm in favor of SAFE standing.
What about actually sitting on seats? What a novel thought. Done my stint standing thank you very much - year after year of it down the Vetch. Fond memories and I wouldn't want to do it again at my age, but you young 'uns go for it.
Nobody is asking you to stand dragon as im like you i would rather sit but im not on about personal choice here im on about giving the fans a choice of standing like me and countless other fans enjoyed in years gone past....stadiums today are fire proof with no smoking allowed and gone are the ditches and fences around the parameter of the stadiums. Standing is now safer than sitting should something happen due to all the seats that become obstacles in an emergency....
