Can we get safe standing implemented at Priestfield? http://www.safestandingroadshow.co.uk/the-proposal Following along the suggestions within that article, could we look at the feasibility of at least 10% safe standing behind the Rainham End goal and 5% in the BMS for away supporters? Personally I welcome the luxury of my seat in the Medway Stand in my ageing years, however, I am a believer in people having choice and feel that Safe Standing at Priestfield would see a return of an atmosphere in our football stadiums of bygone years. Remember though for this to happen you need to have a voice to put pressure on the powers that be. Have a read through the various sections of that website and leave a view on this thread, even if you are a supporter from another club reading this your view is welcome:
It returns to the fans an element of choice. Having viewed the system envisaged, it appears to be easy to manage and comply with accepted safety standards. It would certainly help, in my opinion, reinstate the atmosphere of years gone by. I'd vote for it.
The proposals seem to be well backed with sensible ideas, and examples as illustrated in those German stadiums . Modern technology allows for safe standing behind barriers that are a far cry from those old fashioned girgers that almost cut you in two when the crowd surged forward in a mini tsunami fashion. I can see the 'rail seats' as an excellent way for the 'bigger' clubs in the Premier league to increase their capacity within their current stadiums. I think that some fans ( notably those of Man Utd ) have already demonstrated that, the current seating configuration does provide safe standing - they already stand , safely, in their thousands and do not seem to be subject to any enforcement to sit.
So we have all seater stadiums and fan segregation - designed for the H & S of fans........ yet at Rotherham..... after a good natured, friendly game of football...... The stewards, in their infinite ( or should that be finite ) wisdom, directed the Gills fans to walk all the way around the ground ( totally opposite to where our coaches were positioned ), and passing several egress points of the home fans. ( who - as we can see, were in a good mood ) The fact that there was not a resumption of hostilities ( now to be played out by the fans rather than the players ) was more luck than mad judgement. Rotherham need to review this policy before there is a bloodbath.
Apologies for copying and pasting this, certainly not something I normally would do but I feel it is important for fans to understand the efforts being made to get Safe Standing at our Football Stadiums: Firstly the link: http://fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/the-case-for-safe-standing-in-football This Tuesday 11th December the FSF will hold The Case for Safe Standing in Football at Portcullis House (Westminster) – why don’t you contact your MP and ask if they plan to attend? A panel of industry experts drawn from football club CEOs, the police, academics and safety professionals will be on hand to chat informally from 12 noon and there will be a panel discussion from 2.15pm to 2.45pm followed by a Q&A session. The panel discussion starting at 2.15pm will feature Paul Faulkner (CEO, Aston Villa), Bob Symns (CEO, Peterborough United), Professor Steve Frosdick (independent safety expert), Fiona McGee (researcher and writer) and Superintendent Steven Graham (West Midlands Police Force). MPs will also be able to view a demonstration of ‘rail seats’. The event is sponsored by Roger Godsiff MP who has recently tabled Early Day Motion 573 which calls for the Government to approve small-scale safe standing pilot areas at football clubs. The FSF believes that there is not only an appetite from fans for safe standing areas but a very real business case too. The FSF understands that football clubs have an absolute responsibility to ensure the safety of people who enter their stadiums. Safe standing meets the stringent standards laid down in the Government’s Green Guide and offers a cost efficient, modern, and practical solution to the very real problem of supporters standing in seated areas. Aston Villa, Peterborough United and the Scottish Premier League are longtime backers of the FSF’s Safe Standing Campaign while Brentford, Bristol City, Burnley, Cardiff City, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Doncaster Rovers, Hull City, Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle, Watford and AFC Wimbledon have all given their support more recently. Agenda - The Case for Safe Standing at Football Parliament’s Portcullis House (Atlee Suite) - Tuesday 11 December 2012 12 noon Informal opportunity for attendees to discuss safe standing with football club CEOs, the police, academic, safety professionals and fans’ representatives; View a demonstration of safe standing ‘rail seats’ in action. 2.15pm Panel discussion featuring Paul Faulkner (CEO, Aston Villa), Bob Symns (CEO, Peterborough United), Professor Steve Frosdick (independent safety expert), Fiona McGee (researcher and writer) and Superintendent Steven Graham (West Midlands Police Force). Followed by Q&A and another opportunity to informally discuss safe standing with the panel; View a demonstration of safe standing ‘rail seats’ in action. 3.15pm Close Biographies Paul Faulkner is Chief Executive at Aston Villa & was elected to the FA Council in June 2012. Paul spent five years at the Bank of America prior to his appointment at Villa Park. Professor Steve Frosdick is an independent safety expert who has worked on safety and security in sports grounds across Europe for over 20 years. Superintendent Steven Graham has over 20 years experience of policing football matches and is the operational lead for the policing of football in the West Midlands. Bob Symns is Chief Executive Officer at Peterborough United. Bob joined the Posh in 2004 and has overseen the club’s progression into an established Championship club. Fiona McGee is a researcher and writer, who worked on Supporters Direct’s Social Value of Football and Business Advantages of Supporter Community Ownership. Fiona has been following Leeds United up and down the divisions for more than 20 years.
As a teenager I stood at the Rainham End on the evening 21 Sep 1966, when Gills entertained Arsenal in a League Cup Second Round Replay. The crowd in Priestfield that night was 20,556. The atmosphere and situation on the terraces was both exhilarating and terrifying as the crowd moved as one! Looking back now as an Old Timer, I realise the opportunities for tragedy that night must have been endless. However, with the advent of a modern H & S Science and some hard learned and tragic experiences behind us,I would love for us to give it another go! As for me, I regret I would now have to join BRB in the soft seats!
As we came out the ground we were told by the Police that we could not use the normal route round the stand as the ambulance (still dealing with Vincelot I believe) was strategically placed. Whilst the "alternative" route saw us mingling with the home fans, those who travelled up by train will be aware that the alternative route back to the station went straight past the police station. Reinforcements could quickly be on hand if needed!! What was worse was that a poxy 2 carriage train turned up for those returning via Sheffield. Luckily nothing kicked off as there were enough of us to counter the sour grapes coming our way.
merseygill I was 'first' back to our coach - having circumnavigated the ground - I saw no ambulance ( which surely would have been long gone to hospital ! ) If ( a big IF ) the ambulance left the ground as I was in the process of walking all the way around the ground, then maybe I could accept the explanation that you were told - but all that was on the west side of the stadium ( left of the Gills fans .) AND it really made no sense to send the Gills fans on an anti-clockwise journey towards the point that the Police was trying to steer us clear !! And if the explanation was true - why didn't the police keep the Gills fans back for 10 minutes or so at the end of the game - to allow the home fans to disperse.
