Football Fans Census Results

[Paul]

The Football Fans Census

Football Fans Census Press Release: Friday 22nd November 2002

FANS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR SAFE-STANDING AREAS

The Football Fans Census Survey shows fans feel strongly that safe-standing should be introduced inside grounds, giving them the freedom to choose whether they stand or sit.

The Football Fans Census announces the results of the ‘Safe Standing’ survey it recently ran for football fans. The survey concerned fans attitudes towards the introduction of small-scale areas of terracing into football stadia as championed by the Safe Standing Campaign.

The above is the opening text from a Press Release released by the FFC on the issue of Safe Standing. The full Press Release can be read, along with other information, by going to the first reply to this news item - it's too big to put on the front page!

BRFCS.com recognise the copyright to this information is held by FFC.

[Paul]

BRFCS.com recognise the copyright to this information is held by FFC and we produce this information purely for the benefit of informing our members.

The Football Fans Census

Football Fans Census Press Release: Friday 22nd November 2002

FANS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR SAFE-STANDING AREAS

The Football Fans Census Survey shows fans feel strongly that safe-standing should be introduced inside grounds, giving them the freedom to choose whether they stand or sit.

The Football Fans Census announces the results of the ‘Safe Standing’ survey it recently ran for football fans. The survey concerned fans attitudes towards the introduction of small-scale areas of terracing into football stadia as championed by the Safe Standing Campaign.

Highlights of the survey include:

Match-day Experience

·         80% felt the existence of safe-standing would make their match-day experience more enjoyable

·         Over half of fans felt safe-standing would have no effect on crowd trouble or spectator safety

·         48% of respondents would buy a safe-standing ticket ALL the time when going to a match

·         Only 1% of fans would go to fewer matches if safe-standing areas were introduced

Decision-making

·         90% of respondents felt fans should be given the freedom to choose whether they stand in safe-standing areas

·         Only 11% of fans felt the decision whether to have safe-standing inside grounds should rest with the government – as is currently the case.

·         86% of fans felt the decision should be decentralised away from the government with two-thirds overall feeling it should be made by the local authorities or the clubs themselves instead

·         24% felt the inclusion of safe-standing in grounds should be mandatory

“These results highlight how strongly fans feel about having the right to stand - in safe-standing areas –inside football grounds if they so wish. From the feedback we received fans regard standing at football matches as part of the game’s richest traditions.” comments Alex Burmaster, Director of Development at the FFC.

For a full list of results go to http://www.footballfanscensus.com/latest6.html

Fans can now vote on the new survey – THE RELOCATION OF WIMBLEDON FC - at www.footballfanscensus.com

The FFC simultaneously launches its next survey - ‘The Relocation of Wimbledon FC’ – as chosen by its members. The issue, concerning the club moving from Merton to Milton Keynes, has engendered strong feelings in football up and down the country.

"The survey provides the chance for fans to get their views across, providing football’s decision-makers with a more realistic understanding of what fans actually feel about this issue,” continued Burmaster.

Fans comments on ‘Safe Standing’

Since the rest of the ground was converted to seating, the atmosphere at Priestfield has deteriorated. Chief among the explanations seem to be: some of the old fans have been priced out of the market as GFC, like other clubs, has raised its prices partly to recoup the millions it was obliged to spend on new stands; and safety requirements mean people have to stay sitting in a designated seat, which makes it difficult for groups of singers to congregate and constraints fans' responses to the emotions generated by a game.

A Collyer – Gillingham

As Stadia Duty Officer for St. John Ambulance at the Hillsborough stadium, and as a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan, I welcome the debate on safe standing areas. From a personal point of view I do feel that there were many many other factors on the fateful day in 1989 that contributed to the events. From a medical response point of view I can only say that should an emergency occur in a standing area our response time will most definitely be prolonged. This does concern me greatly! I do long for the days however that Fathers and Sons can enjoy the match as I did with my father, from a safe, responsible, and well behaved standing area.

C Leach – Sheffield Wednesday

Standing areas is a backward step; supporters at the Britannia stadium are now used to the seating and use it very properly. Of course every one stands up when a goal is scored! I can assure you as away supporters will testify, singing "Delilah" is no way reduced by being seated. It's load of rubbish! You don't stand at the theatre or cinema! Or do you? I don't.

George Smith – Stoke City

ENDS

BACKGROUND

THE SURVEY

The survey concerned the campaign (http://www.safestanding.com/) that is championing the return of terracing to football stadiums – not the large, old-style open terraces but small, specially-designed areas

utilising the latest engineering technology. The campaign has received support through the Football Spectators Bill which aims to remove the power to designate Premier League and First Division football stadia as all-seater from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to clubs, supporters and local authorities instead. Construction of safe-standing areas would, therefore, be allowed but not mandatory.

The results of the survey will be sent to football’s decision-makers and influencers including the Football Association, Premier League, Football League, the Safe Standing campaign, Football Supporters Federation, Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Prime Minister, football clubs and the police.

The survey was conducted online between 27/10/02 and 05/11/02 and was open to all football fans. To maintain integrity of the results fans had to register with the FFC.

THE FFC

Previously known as the Football Fans Union, this is the first survey to be launched under the new name. The FFU was the organisation that brought the ‘Can the Commercials’ campaign to fans across the country enabling them to protest over the role of Carlton and Granada in the ITV Digital dispute.

For more details see the attached backgrounder document or the ‘About Us’ section on the site for more details http://www.footballfanscensus.com/about.html

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION – OR TO BE KEPT INFORMED ON FFC DEVELOPMENTS

The FFU: 020 7428 4940

·        Tim             tim@footballfanscensus.com

·        Alex            alex@footballfanscensus.com