Fans groups want a return to standing at football games Supporters' groups from more than half of all Premier League clubs say they would like the option to stand at football matches again. Trusts from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Cardiff City say it would improve the atmosphere at games. Some say adopting German-style "rail seats" could prevent injuries to fans who currently stand. The government says all-seater stadiums remain the best way to ensure safety. All-seater stadiums were made compulsory in the Championship and Premier League following an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster. The Liverpool Supporters' Union, Spirit of Shankly, says they have not adopted a position on designated standing zones. But supporters groups from 12 Premier League teams say they do back a trial. Not all of the trusts contacted replied, while some clubs have more than one supporter group limiting an overall response. Personally I'm in favour of standing at football grounds. I believe that it improves the atmosphere at the game and great to bounce around. Having the choice at away games I always went for standing up, not because it was cheaper but the place to be with real football atmosphere. Do you prefer to sit or stand?
It's probably the case that Hillsbro' was a case of several unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. If the surge of incoming supporters happened in an all seated arena then the injury count could be far worse with people being forced to clamber over seated supporters. It was the perimeter fence (another so called safety measure) that caused the most injuries. I have always preferred to stand. Eastville used to be brilliant where you could change ends at halftime. Of course in those days you could have a good laugh with the opposing guys and there was seldom any trouble. Strangely enough, for those of us who like to stand and watch; how many of us stand to watch a match at home on the TV?
When has the government ever understood football? would prefer the option of standing, long gone is the time when you could meet friends and other supporters on the terraces, that for me has helped to ruin the atmosphere I wouldn't have made a 30year friendship had it not been ability to move around the old Eastend and stand by pillar no. 3 mind you I'm getting old so sitting down isn't all bad. I'll never forget the sterile atmosphere at Wembley in the play off final created by the fact it was difficult to sit near all your regular friends/supporters. Whoops sorry grumpy old b****** with rose tinted specs. ranting, better shut up and go xmas shopping.
I used to prefer standing even when the ground was really packed and it does make for a better experience, but now I prefer sitting due to having Arthritis in both knees. I'd like to see a mixture of seating and standing at grounds. Standing, particularly behind the goals is best.
I definitely prefer sitting, especially with tickets costing what they do now. If I'm going to fork out that kind of money I want a bloody seat. I don't particularly care for standing at games, but I've got nothing against it. I wouldn't back a one year trial, but I would definitely back a five year trial. That'll give us enough time to see if safe standing can stand up to potentially heated games.
The topic in question is rail seating, not terracing. The safety and control argument does not stack up. The FLA [football licensing authority] have conceded the safety argument. City already have an all standing stand, or close to it in the Eastend. Historically and in recent seasons the most problematic stand have been the Williams and Dolman. Citys firm took up residence years back in the Dolman. The re-developed Gate will have standing areas for the rugby e.g. Lower Dolman.
Personally I'm now at an age where I prefer to sit. However, I think that "safe standing" is something that needs to be trialled - it seems that City's board think the same and have made positive noises about it
Used to love standing in the old Enclosure and other various parts of the ground, then went to A & B bock. Prefer to sit now, but that's because arthritis in my back and neck so probably won't take part in the trial. But I do back the idea to trial it.
It is not a trial. The rugby clubs fans can use it. Bristol City would not be spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a frivolity they cannot use.
