Comments on: Safe standing http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/03/safe-standing/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:11:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dan http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/03/safe-standing/comment-page-1/#comment-3268 Dan Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:25:59 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=1220#comment-3268 Thanks for the comments Matt. It's a worthy discussion to have and something I've often wondered about since the terraces disappeared at Fulham. Perhaps it's not the day to be writing about this but I honestly don't believe that the Hillsborough tragedy was caused solely by terraces. Your point about festivals is a good one. I hadn't really considered that before - because it's a non-sport context, but it is true. The second point about our European friends is perhaps the most important one. There is most certainly a demand for it - you only have to see how many people stand at lower league grounds (having spent four years watching Exeter whilst at university, I can attest to the enduring popularity of terracing). Also, the fact that it improves the atmosphere is undeniable. Sadly, I'm not sure we'll ever see standing back at the top level of English football. It would take a very brave government and some very strong people at the FA - the latter is most certainly unlikely, even if the organisation's been making some belated strides in the right direction of late. Thanks for the comments Matt. It’s a worthy discussion to have and something I’ve often wondered about since the terraces disappeared at Fulham. Perhaps it’s not the day to be writing about this but I honestly don’t believe that the Hillsborough tragedy was caused solely by terraces.

Your point about festivals is a good one. I hadn’t really considered that before – because it’s a non-sport context, but it is true.

The second point about our European friends is perhaps the most important one. There is most certainly a demand for it – you only have to see how many people stand at lower league grounds (having spent four years watching Exeter whilst at university, I can attest to the enduring popularity of terracing). Also, the fact that it improves the atmosphere is undeniable.

Sadly, I’m not sure we’ll ever see standing back at the top level of English football. It would take a very brave government and some very strong people at the FA – the latter is most certainly unlikely, even if the organisation’s been making some belated strides in the right direction of late.

]]> By: Matt Smith http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/03/safe-standing/comment-page-1/#comment-3263 Matt Smith Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:29:57 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=1220#comment-3263 I've been banging on about this ever since it was 'abolished' after the Taylor report. A knee-jerk reaction to a (another) police farce. 1) Its done perfectly safely at gigs and festivals where the number of people is many many times greater - with very few 'safety' measures. 2) Our continental cousins manage it without problem. 3) People continue to stand in seated areas where it is much more dangerous anyway - also without incident. 3) It DOES improve atmosphere and also capacity. Has it not occured to clubs that more people through the gates means more money? Just sell tickets like you do with seats and when they're gone then its sold out - impossible to overcrowd. 4) The CHOICE should be there for people who want it. I can GUARANTEE that a section for standing would be sold out for every game all over the country whatever the stadium. 5) Stewarding and policing have improved in recent years so the likelyhood of trouble would be no greater than with seated areas. I started watching football in the South Bank at Molineux and the day it was ripped down was a very sad one indeed. I'm all for renovation and improvement but stopping people from standing was a backward step and should be reversed ASAP. I’ve been banging on about this ever since it was ‘abolished’ after the Taylor report. A knee-jerk reaction to a (another) police farce.
1) Its done perfectly safely at gigs and festivals where the number of people is many many times greater – with very few ‘safety’ measures.
2) Our continental cousins manage it without problem.
3) People continue to stand in seated areas where it is much more dangerous anyway – also without incident.
3) It DOES improve atmosphere and also capacity. Has it not occured to clubs that more people through the gates means more money? Just sell tickets like you do with seats and when they’re gone then its sold out – impossible to overcrowd.
4) The CHOICE should be there for people who want it. I can GUARANTEE that a section for standing would be sold out for every game all over the country whatever the stadium.
5) Stewarding and policing have improved in recent years so the likelyhood of trouble would be no greater than with seated areas.
I started watching football in the South Bank at Molineux and the day it was ripped down was a very sad one indeed. I’m all for renovation and improvement but stopping people from standing was a backward step and should be reversed ASAP.

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