Safe standing actually still involves everyone having a seat. People will be asked to sit if needed to. Therefore, the clubs can't cram people in to safe standing. Every person is still allocated a seat. All-seater stadiums have never dealt with the issue of: "what if the guy in front of me stands up?" I'm 6'2" and I've been told to sit down more than a few times, but if the guy in front of me is standing, and the guy in front of him is standing, what can I do? Safe standing sorts that. You have your own personal hand rail and you're all standing. There's no squash because the guy behind you is stood behind a rail as well! Unless people can push through steel, they aren't going to be crushing into your back. If the stadium announces a safety/security issue, it can order people to use then use their seats. You can sit down on your seat at half time and before the match. I went to the Fulham vs Swansea match in the cup a few years back when we lost 2-1. All-seater stadium and me and my two mates were sharing our 3 seats with at least 2 other people. Everyone was squished in...and stood up as a result. If we'd wanted to sit, we wouldn't have been able to. If we'd been pushed from behind, we would have all fallen over the seat in front of us into the row below quite easily. Just an example that all-seater stadiums definitely don't check all boxes. If every row in Craven Cottage had it's own handrail, there would be no fear of being crushed from behind. The issue is not all-seater vs safe standing. The issue is making sure that stadiums are never sold above capacity. If you have 20,500 seats/standing places, you have 20,500 tickets. Stewards will still be on hand to handle people standing in your spot in the same way that stewards are on hand to stop people sitting in your seat.
You can either generate an atmosphere........... [video=youtube;Hr3B9u4Qrrw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr3B9u4Qrrw[/video] ............or you sit there and read your programme. Take your pick
Yes.... you only get an atmosphere at grounds where there's standing. I can see the argument for a return to this but you can forget taking your Missus if she's 5'2" or the kids - at least to that area of the ground. Unless this idea is restricted to a small part of the ground you can say goodbye to familes going and football will be the preserve of mainly males like it used to be. Maybe that's what some people want.
I didn't say "you only get an atmosphere at grounds where there's standing" However, it's a fact that a greater atmosphere is generated in areas where people stand. Families can go in the Family Stand or the other seated areas if they don't want to stand. Small people may also want to go to the standing area - or are you being "heightist" It's all about choice. If you want to sit down, fine - you are already catered for. I don't. I want to stand up and safe standing is an excellent, safe method of allowing fans to stand in a modern stadium. It will NOT prevent familes going and it will NOT lead to football being the preserve of mainly males like it used to be. In fact it will make it a far more enjoyable experience for everyone because "families", "small people" and others who don't want to stand won't have people standing in front of them.
I started reading this thread and I was firmly in the "lets not do that, it gives people who've had a drink too much opportunity to hurt themselves and other....blah, blah, blah..." ...then I watched the video and saw what the standing areas look like. It's not reminiscent of the old 'crush box' that was the North Bank at all. It looked safe. It made sense. Now I'm thinking that if they wanted to convert part of the stadium to this, I'd be more than happy.
On the other hand,Man U's seating last week was diabolical. Squashed like sardines,no wonder they can get over 60k in that ground. We could double our capacity by fitting seating like theirs.
Where some people stand anyway. Look...I can see the argument for this and like I said I'm pretty neutral on it provided it's limited to a small part of the ground, and the seated areas are strictly policed so that people who stand are ejected if they refuse to remain seated. My wife went to a game last season and she said she'd be reluctant to go again as she had hundreds of (mainly) guys in front of her and she couldn't see a thing. Totally ruined the experience and it waste a waste of money her going. Put all those guys into a standing area and strictly police the rest of the ground and everyone would be happy I suppose.
