1894 group safestanding meeting

[scall11]

If a political party stood up and said they'd legalise safe standing, they'd get huge amounts of votes

 

[Why Always Ste]

If a political party stood up and said they'd legalise safe standing, they'd get huge amounts of votes

Which one of the main political parties would be willing to stray from the norm and do this though?

Absolutely none of them as they are all clones, afraid to stray from their corporate sponsors wishes.

Those who oppose Safestanding to me also oppose this sport being for the common man as it would also encourage more realistic ticket pricing for the everyday wage if introduced.
These seated stadiums just make this sport exclusive and excludes everyday people from attending their local clubs.

Hmm, what should I choose today... a £30 football ticket but then we have to go to the food bank?
or a shop at Aldi?

 

[blueparrot]

If a political party stood up and said they'd legalise safe standing, they'd get huge amounts of votes

I would love to see safe standing, but I wouldn't base my vote on the issue, The problem is politicians fear losing vote by supporting it more than they would gain by it.

 

[Corky]

There are plenty of clubs the youngsters can go and watch standing. If it was such a big factor why did the new generation follow City?

Away at Chesterfield, £15, all standing very poor crowd and a wall to piss on. Doncaster was standing too same price didn't sell out. Both were competitive 1st team games close by for not much money. Was the atmosphere any better? No.

The safe standing atmosphere myth, if fans fan to create n atmosphere they will, and if they don't they won't. How many great great atmospheres at CoMS have been created by away fans from other countries? Do they bother about the seats?

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I'd love to see safe standing but there's one major problem. Go and watch a game of rugby, American football or a concert in our stadium and you're treated like an adult, allowed to stand and drink at your seat. GMP won't treat you like a potential criminal. They start from the premise that you're there to enjoy yourself.

Go and watch a football match at the same stadium and the assumption is you're looking for trouble. You're breaking the law by standing up during the game and taking an alcoholic drink to your seat and GMP treat you as though that's what you intend to do. If you were once done for a football-related offence or even suspected of one, you'll be monitored by CCTV and photographed.

So one of the reasons the authorities like all-seater stadiums is that they can identify individuals via their seat number. The young lad who committed the terrible offence of taking the ball that Joe Hart kicked away when we won the title in 2012 was identified via his seat, when he took the ball back to it. Safe standing makes that more difficult hence why official attitudes towards fans need to change before we'll ever get near it.

 

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

Best of luck, bring it back.

Absolutely best of luck.

I was under the impression though that it's a Government thing, or is it just a case of convincing the local authority to implement it? I don't know, but it would be great if we could have it back in a safe way.

 

[Brendan110_0]

City should just install rail seats anyhow, wait out the legislation change then instant extra room.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

If a political party stood up and said they'd legalise safe standing, they'd get huge amounts of votes

The Lib Dems actually had safe standing in the last general election manifesto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And they are still keen......
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28886330" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28886330</a>

Safe standing: Lib Dems propose safe standing return

The Liberal Democrats want to change the law and allow Premier League and Championship clubs to introduce safe standing at stadiums.

The party has confirmed to BBC Sport it plans to make the pledge as part of its 2015 General Election manifesto.

Currently, the Football Spectators Act 1989 requires safety authorities to ensure fans attending games in England's top two divisions are seated.

However, the party is not advocating a return to open terracing.

It believes rail seats, popular in German football, should be introduced if clubs wish to install standing sections.

Rail seats can be locked in an upright position to allow fans to stand and lean against a barrier.

However, the seats can also be unlocked to comply with all-seater stadium rules, as and when required.

The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) has led a campaign in favour of safe standing for several years.

"Football can't bury its head in the sand," said an FSF spokesman. "Tens of thousands already stand at games.

"Clubs who back rail seats are simply listening to their fans and responding to safety needs.

"Germany has had rail seats for many years and they have had no problems. The Government tells us it needs robust proof, so let's have a trial and see."

Several Premier League clubs - including Aston Villa, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Swansea City - now back the introduction of rail seats on a trial basis.

The Football League has also lobbied for a change in legislation given a number of its 72 clubs would like to implement standing.

Who uses rail seats?
They are used at grounds in countries like Austria, Germany and Sweden.

A number of teams in Germany's Bundesliga use them, including Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg and Werder Bremen.

They can be unlocked or locked to create a standing or seated area. In Germany, seats are used for European matches but not league games.


Chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Since being given a mandate by our clubs to lobby for a change to the law on the use of standing accommodation, we have had useful discussions with the Sports Minister and other relevant stakeholders on this matter.

"We recognise that this is an extremely emotive issue and that significant change isn't necessarily going to happen overnight.

"However, a logical first step would be for safe standing products, such as rail seating, to be licensed for use by the relevant authorities.

"This would enable one of the 21 Football League clubs that is not currently required by law to have an all-seater stadium to install a pilot scheme at its ground.

"This would give everybody greater insight into the use of this type of accommodation and help take the debate forward in a cautious and responsible manner."

However, the Premier League has reiterated its opposition, telling BBC Sport: "It remains the Premier League's position that stadiums should be all-seat, in line with government policy, and we will not be encouraging the government to change the law."

Liberal Democrat spokesperson John Leech MP believes the evidence to allow standing is overwhelming.

"Safe standing is allowed in many other sports and we do not believe that the top level of football should be an exception," he said.

"We are not calling for a return of the terraces of the 1980s. Modern safe standing areas using rail seating operate very successfully in top-tier football across Europe."

With the Liberal Democrats struggling in the polls, an outright victory for the party in next year's election may seem unlikely.

However, the formation of another coalition government could see safe standing feature in any negotiations between the parties over a combined legislative agenda.

Following the recommendations of Lord Justice Taylor's report into the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, in which 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives, clubs in the top two tiers of English football have been required to provide every spectator with a seat.

Hillsborough disaster in 1989, in which 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives The memorial at Anfield serves as a constant reminder of the Hillsborough disaster

The Liberal Democrat pledge promises to amend the law to allow safety authorities in England and Wales to issue guidance to clubs on how safe standing could be introduced.

The FSF also claims safe standing would make it cheaper for fans to watch games.

"Standing areas in safety-conscious nations such as Germany are traditionally far cheaper, with season tickets available for a fraction of the cost at equivalent-sized clubs in the UK," added the spokesman.

Hannover 96 stadium has safe standing areas Hannover's stadium has safe standing areas, allowing an extra 2,700 unseated fans to watch the match

Leech agrees, adding: "Safe standing offers supporters more choice, a better atmosphere and cheaper tickets. It is an idea whose time has come and I am proud that it is the Liberal Democrats who are the first political party to commit to delivering this."

Earlier this year, Bristol City installed a small section of rail seats at their Ashton Gate stadium.

However, they are only able to utilise them during Bristol Rugby games which also take place at the ground.

Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Bristol City trial safe standing area

Scottish Premiership clubs are also strong backers of safe standing.

However, Celtic's application to install a section of rail seating was rejected by Glasgow City Council earlier this month.

The council claimed Celtic's plan did not offer enough assurances to its safety advice group, which included representatives from the emergency services.

In Wales, Assembly members recently voted 26-1 to support the introduction of safe standing, believing that football should be no different from rugby or other sports.

However, as the laws relating to standing are not devolved, any change in Wales would require Westminster MPs to vote in favour of reform.

Strong opposition to standing does remain, with the Association of Chief Police Officers saying previously that they would need to be convinced over whether it could work within some of England's largest stadiums.

The Hillsborough Families Support Group have also steadfastly maintained their position against any return of standing.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Best of luck, bring it back.

Absolutely best of luck.

I was under the impression though that it's a Government thing, or is it just a case of convincing the local authority to implement it? I don't know, but it would be great if we could have it back in a safe way.

The bizarre thing is that it's a legal thing by central government that stadiums have to be all-seater but effectively a local thing that you have to sit on the seats (as opposed to standing).

So the scenario of installing rail seats (thereby still meeting government legislation requirements) but the local licencing authority permitting standing could be feasible in theory.

 

[Lrrr]

There are plenty of clubs the youngsters can go and watch standing. If it was such a big factor why did the new generation follow City?

Away at Chesterfield, £15, all standing very poor crowd and a wall to piss on. Doncaster was standing too same price didn't sell out. Both were competitive 1st team games close by for not much money. Was the atmosphere any better? No.

The safe standing atmosphere myth, if fans fan to create n atmosphere they will, and if they don't they won't. How many great great atmospheres at CoMS have been created by away fans from other countries? Do they bother about the seats?

And we lost both games if you are referring to the carling cup ties. If I recall correctly they were dreadful performances.
Good luck with the meeting.