Thetownend.com

In the wake of the Wembley stand-up-sit-down furore, is it time to review fan's views on safe standing areas? Accepting that it would take a review of League rules for a club to build a new terrace, would you be in favour of a safe standing area in a redeveloped County Ground?

When the Trust surveyed fans views on this a few years back, there was a big majority in favour of safe standing being introduced. Even many who prefer to sit down themselves recognise the benefits of giving people a choice.

Its unlikely to ever happen though because the official mindset is so closed on the issue. The case in favour is quite overwhelming, safe standing areas are clearly much safer than fans standing in seated areas which is what happens at every ground now.

It may be possible to leave the option open at a redeveloped County Ground, but I cant see any likelyhood of the legislation being changed any time soon.

What should definitely be on the agenda is making a redeveloped Town End unreserved seating at least in the central blocks. That would have a positive effect on the atmosphere even in a seated stand.

As you say, it's mad that there's no debate on this when a) so many fans are in favour and b) the current situation is dangerous. The best times to seek reviews are when governments change, and even though you wouldn't characterise the Tories as football friendly, there's a small window of opportunity. If anyone can be bothered to "stand up" for what they want, that is.

People stand up in the right side of the town end anyway, might aswell just take the seats out of the town end, and make it safe standing, or an area of the new ground. If people have the choise i dont see a problem, its not like we sell out every week so people would be forced it stand.

As I said in the other thread - with our ground redevelopment in the planning stages, it is the perfect time for us to discuss it and campaign for it if it's something people would like to see at the County Ground. Surely the next logical step for safe standing in England is for it to be tested at a ground, so why not the County Ground?

I reckon its exactly the sort of thing that Fitton and the board would support. There is a very good chance we could get financial support to cover at least the extra costs and maybe above and beyond that. It would also be excellent publicity for the club if we were the first to trial it. Plus we've got 442 who would be all over it as well and potentially our other sponsors would jump on the bandwagon as well.

So why not?

Definitely.

Safe standing in the new town end would make up for the loss of the old town end for me.

Safe standing Town End? Yes please.

well enclosed too for great acoustics. steeper too

I can't see why not. The fact is that football is discriminated against. Why does football grounds need to be all seater when rugby grounds can have standing, whilst you cannot be seen to have a beer in your hand whilst watching a football game, yet at a test match you see it all the time.

The Tories want to cut red tape, and this might be one of the things they might want to relax. But if they introduce safe standing in stadiums, it might be with a view like they do in Germany, where they can switch the ground to all seater.

You can get safe standing built, you just can't attract any football related grants for it because it is not sanctioned by the FLA and the costs are no different to all seater with less potential revenue from the same space so clubs need that financial support.  You would also struggle to ever get into the Premiwer League.

Why would there be less revenue? I'd imagine that the capacity would be exactly the same with safe standing, as you'd be allocated the same amount of space per person?

Yes, but I think you'd have to charge less for 'standing' than you would 'seated'

Hence, the very few terraces left in the lower leagues are alot cheaper than their seated equivalent, or thats how I took it anyway

I'd pay just as much go in a dedicated standing section, in fact I did last season when I went in the Town End (cheaper for next season as I renewed when the £199 offer was on).

aint gonna happen.next topic?