Safe stand - Views changed ?

[swedishcityfan]

I have been in Manchester plenty of times to watch Manchester City games, even long before all the money and success. I have to been at away games a few times. During all these games I’ve seen standing City fans, most of which also sing during the games. I like it, and I know a lot of fans find their right to stand very important.

During my visits I have always thought that you supporters want to stand up, but the smarty pants that control the regulation is against safe standings. But I have started to get the feeling that this is something that is on it’s way to change. I read an article earlier today about the safe standing subject.

“As a club we would like to give fans who want to stand the opportunity to do so in a safe, appropriately designated area. The rail seats concept looks interesting and if the rules allowed it I’d be happy to manage standing fans in such areas,” said Sunderland AFC’s safety manager Paul Weir.

Also representants from Peterborough United, Derby County, Aston Villa and Arsenal have open up for safe standing section.

Jon Darch, who manages the Safe Standing Roadshow is also quoted saying;
“Many Premier League and Championship grounds are all-seater in name only, with many fans taking it for granted that they will stand regardless. That creates an unnecessary headache for safety professionals such as Paul, and inconveniences other spectators who prefer to sit. “

And that is exactly the feeling I’ve got when I have attended games at Etihad Stadium.

Even though I have the Hillsborough disaster in mind I really think it is time to introduce safe standing to the Premier League and the Championship again. Sure, what happened that day is horrible to just think about, but look at Germany – how many new Hillsborough disasters have we seen there the latest years? None.

So, do you think the view is on its way to change from a very negative and bigot view at safe standing to a more positive view? Can all of you standing City fans in the near future have a safe stand area at Etihad Stadium? And how would that change the atmosphere during Citys home games? And, most important maybe, what do you think Manchester City as a club think about safe standing? Do you think they would allow a safe standing?


Here is the article - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Sunderland-safety-boss-backs-safe-standing-plans.php?id" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Sunderland-s ... ans.php?id</a>

 

[Maintainin]

What made you post this today ?

 

[Aaronj]

I'd give both my legs to have safe standing.

 

[salfordblues]

Easy for powers that be to rebut the safe standing suggestion at the minute, for obvious reasons.

 

[Maintainin]

I'd give both my legs to have safe standing.

Stop fuckin about Aaronj ...you know as well as i do that you ain't even got any legs !

 

[ell]

Todays findings might mean it will come in sooner than thought

 

[Blue Mist]

German grounds were designed and built to accomodate standing and in some areas it is a simple matter of removing the seats to allow it and they can do this game by game replacing the seats when they want to. It is my understanding that none of our grounds could be adapted without enormous expense to allow it. I am no expert in the matter but because of the current design of the stadiums you cannot simply take the seats out and let everyone stand, so even if the Government changed the legislation the clubs would not be able to afford the cost.

(besides which half the City fans I know are so damn awkward they would then sit down !)

 

[Manchestercitychorlton]

German grounds were designed and built to accomodate standing and in some areas it is a simple matter of removing the seats to allow it and they can do this game by game replacing the seats when they want to. It is my understanding that none of our grounds could be adapted without enormous expense to allow it. I am no expert in the matter but because of the current design of the stadiums you cannot simply take the seats out and let everyone stand, so even if the Government changed the legislation the clubs would not be able to afford the cost.

(besides which half the City fans I know are so damn awkward they would then sit down !)

How much does it cost to rip a few thousand seats out?

 

[Carver]

Todays findings might mean it will come in sooner than thought

Today's findings have reinforced my opinion that standing itself is not dangerous, however the evolution of the design of standing aread and coralling in of fans in the 1970's and 1980''s was.

 

[sniff]

German grounds were designed and built to accomodate standing and in some areas it is a simple matter of removing the seats to allow it and they can do this game by game replacing the seats when they want to. It is my understanding that none of our grounds could be adapted without enormous expense to allow it. I am no expert in the matter but because of the current design of the stadiums you cannot simply take the seats out and let everyone stand, so even if the Government changed the legislation the clubs would not be able to afford the cost.

(besides which half the City fans I know are so damn awkward they would then sit down !)

How much does it cost to rip a few thousand seats out?

Not a lot, but safe standing requires a little more than that... everyone in safe standing still has a seat .