Terracing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20679867

I know we'll have talked about this before, and my view has always been that I'd back a re-introduction of small areas of terracing. However, do you think the recent events of coin throwing, pitch encroachment and racism make it impossible to ever bring back any terracing?

 

See the debate on a return to the terraces continues. What are Villa thinking?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20679867

We discussed this on the boardseveral months ago. All I will say is:
a) obviously hope that those going to London Road next month will be alright jammed into an old fashioned terrace (for G*d's sake don't all surge forward when we score - I am sat with my son the POSH supporter in the home seats.
b) that when those that go who argued in favour of standing experience the reality of the terraces they will hopefully change their minds.

 

I detest terracing and standing at packed stadia.

It's dangerous and can result in serious injuries.

If we want to go back to "the good old days" in
the 60's and 70's,when you had to arrive 1.5 hrs
before KO to get a decent viewing spot,not being able to
move,have a piss,get a drink then bring it back.

Me,I'll stay in my comfortable seat thanks

 

I think I am right in saying that all seater Stadia was backed by Law so to change it you would require Parliamentry approval. With what has been going on in Football the last 2 years can you see that happening? I certainly can't and a good job too as it will only encourage the hooligan element. In my younger days I stood on the terraces in the pouring rain being pushed from pillar to post and having people pissing on the ground because they couldn't get out to the toilet. It is not a myth - I have had a stream of piss running down the terracing around my feet more than once. I got a seat as soon as I could afford one. Like most nostalgia you only remember the good bits and the reality was a lot worse than the fond memories.

 

the coin throwing has lead to discussion of netting being introduced. Add this to the terracing discussion, what comes next if the netting doesn't work, fencing again? it's a worry isn't it from my perspective.
i think they need to do a proper trial of it, but personally at the moment i'm against it.

 

And the biggest and best arguement against it of them all - the disasters at Hillsbrough and Ibrox would not have happened with all seater stadiums. Do we really want to risk that again?

 

My early days at CR were spent on terracing and I miss it. The atmosphere generated there has never been replecated in seated areas.
That said, I'd never want a return to the way stadia used to be designed. In the 60's, 70's and 80's it was simply a case of jamming as many people in as possible with no regard for the welfare of those supporters. Those days are long gone, and good riddance.
However, small sections could be ticketed appropriately and can be managed perfectly safely. My largest reservation has always been about perimiter fencing. I had believed, until recently, that it would be possible to have terracing in this country now without the need for fencing supporters in. I can't see that being the case anymore, and as such, I think the idea is probably going nowhere.

 

German clubs have terracing parts to their Stadia and there haven't been any serious problems that I know of

 

i prefer standing. always have done. i would happily stand in terracing every game though i understand the need for mainly seating areas these days. a small terraced area in every ground would be great in my opinion. if people want to sit they can sit - the safe standing areas in german grounds have seats as well. people seem to lose sight during this argument about what is actually being called for. people aren't suggesting converting whole stadia back to terracing - it would be a small pocket, maybe even one stand. its a sensible idea and should be trialled so i'm glad it is.

 

I agree Supers. My youngest goes to watch Crawley Town (poor little sod) and he stands on the terracing behind the goal without any problems.

 

Both must of course be taken with the utmost seriousness, but I would question how much was down to terracing, and how much other factors, not least antiquated stadium design and safety certificates being properly enforced. For example, the Bradford disaster (although a seated stand) couldn't happen today because of changes to the way stadia are designed.

 

exactly. people claiming the disasters were entirely down to 'terraces' need to reassess that view after the recent findings - it had way more to do with inadequate facilities and atrocious policing (and in the case of hysel, appalling behaviour from fans as well). i urge anyone who gets the chance to take in a game in germany because the atmosphere and organisation there is a joy to behold, it really is, and if we can replicate those conditions here, we will encourage a whole new generation of football fan along as well as reclaim some of those lost to the ever-inflating costs. i'm genuinely excited and thrilled by the possible prospect of having this kind of facility in english grounds

 

I think it's a good idea if properly implemented ala Germany. I'd probably choose to stand if given the choice.

The real legacy of stadia tragedies such as hillsborough must be better police control of matches and more safely designed stadiums. It's a different era and I can't see a situation like Hillsborough happening again in this country. We have done miraculously well to stamp out hooliganism in this country and have built the boggest league in the world as a result.

If the lower barclay was terraced I believe we could more than handle the safety aspect.

 

The German model is allocated seating with the seats pushed back to allow people to stand - when required the seats are pulled down and it reverts to all seater. What is the point of that? You can't get any more people into the ground and in practice is no different to what happens at some of our grounds now. Whatever light you put on it both of the previous disasters happened because large numbers of people were trying to get in or leave unallocated standing areas at the same time. That cannot happen with all seater stadia which is why they were brought it. The lower leagues are exempt because crowds are smaller - Crawley are lucky to get 3000 people. People who want terracing paint a rosy picture of how it could operate - I remember being told that 24 hour drinking would convert us to continental family drinking!!! - but I remember being crushed against a barrier in ' the shed' at Chelsea breaking a rib in the process and standing in a pool of piss which was very unpleasant. MP's will thankfully prevent this happening. The days of terracing are gone - get over it!!

 

On a slighty different point I find all the talk about putting up netting in light of the disgraceful scenes at the Etihad on Sunday really depressing and quite uneccessary. It would drag the game back to the dark days pre Hillsborough and will do nothing to enhance the football experience of the average punter! But hey since when have the football authorities ever cared or listened to what the innocent majority of football fans want? In the small cases of thugs chucking stuff out onto the pitch they should be identified arrested and then serve hefty fines and lifelong bans. The footballers themselves should also be punished if they deliberately incite the opposition fans in the first place. Different point I know but it I worry that in many ways English football is desending back into the dark days of fear and thuggery!

 

1950, I'm by no means an expert, but my understanding of the german model is that whilst the seats are there, I think there are more tickets available than there are seats, so whilst the seats are there if people want to use them, there isn't one per person. I know legroom at Carrow Road is hardly generous in some places, but I'd imagine that in germany they can reduce that further still.

 

We mention Hillborough here but lets not forget the incompetence of the South Yorkshire Police, also lots of people fail to remember there was anti hooligan fencing installed around the pitch after Millwall marauded through Kenilworth Road like a horde of barbarians back in 1985, I seriously don't think such tragic accidents would happen if people had a route to escape.

I'm all for standing I hate sitting down they should have sitting down and standing area's in grounds in my opinion.

 

the cage and

the tragedies were perfect for the plan by the owners and tv people to make the game more middle class (families). You cant have families standing.

Atmosphere started to really decline when seating was introduced and families become the target audience.

It was a working mans game with all the drinking and swearing that went with it but its not a mans game anymore, its not our game anymore. As seen in the fouls given for tackling when you wouldnt have even got a free kick in the past and the prices for tickets.

I remember buying those ticket books for the cage, dont think a book would relatively cover 1 seat today or replica 3rd away strip shirt some teams.

Swearing at football use to be ok as it was football. Now swearing can mean you get told to stop it because you at the football. Either football has changed or its like complaining about violence and swearing when you go to watch a film where you know its going to happen.

 

Its all about striking the right balance I remember when I was 9 years old having a brick chucked through the window of my coach when leaving Millwall in 1978 and the glass showering all the way past my ears! I don't want a repeat of those days and I'm pretty sure that most of the posters on here that can remember those days don't want it either! Swearing, beers and "manly" behaviour are still aceptable but in moderation and without the menace of thuggery and violence. Surely football has moved in the right direction but I don't want it sanitised so that is where the balance comes in. I have no objection to partial standing areas in stadia so long as they are marshalled properly.