[Archived] Safe Standing - Lobby the club to vote YES before Friday

[Bluemonday BRFC]

The Football League has invited all clubs to vote on the issue of safe standing, now is your chance to make your voice heard. You have until Friday to do so:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/safe-standing-friday-deadline-to-have-your-say

Please email our support liaison officer, Lynsey Talboy (ltalbot@rovers.co.uk)

Tell Rovers to say "yes" to the four questions:

1. Should the Football League approach the minister for sport to request that the 'all-seater' stadia requirement for Championship clubs be reviewed with a view to the re-introduction of standing accommodation? YES
2. Should the Football League approach the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to request that rail seating products be licensed in Football League grounds? YES
3. Should clubs be permitted to accommodate supporters in rail seating in the Championship? YES
4. Should clubs be permitted to revert from seating to standing accommodation in League One and League Two following relegation from the Championship? YES

Why back safe standing at Ewood?

• Popular support - nine out of ten supporters back the choice to sit or stand (FSF National Survey 2012). Every week thousands stand in seated areas supporting the team they love - they deserve proper safe standing areas.
• Choice - everyone benefits as those who wish to stand can do while those who prefer to sit no longer have to worry about having their view blocked. Clubs should also have the choice to introduce safe standing areas if they see fit.
• Safety – safe standing can be introduced within stringent safety standards laid down in the Government’s Green Guide. The Government does not claim that standing at football is inherently unsafe.
• Flexibility - UEFA regs mean European competitions must be played in all-seater stadiums. Safe standing areas can be easily converted to and from seating so a club competing in Europe can go all-seater with minimum fuss.
• Pricing - in both England and abroad ticket prices for standing areas are typically lower than in seated areas making the stadiums more socially inclusive.

[gumboots]

Sorry but no would be my vote. I understand why you want standing. I also know what can happen in standing areas and I wouldn't want it. Personal choice but I have been in standing areas when the crowd has surged and it's not safe at all.

[Bluemonday BRFC]

Sorry but no would be my vote. I understand why you want standing. I also know what can happen in standing areas and I wouldn't want it. Personal choice but I have been in standing areas when the crowd has surged and it's not safe at all.

I'd argue with safe standing introduced you'd get the choice to avoid these locations if you wished to, I'd also argue safe standing isn't unsafe (http://www.safestandingroadshow.co.uk/myths/standing-is-unsafe) and the surges you speak of couldn't happen (see picture below - each area is restricted to just two rows). Although fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Big fan of standing, (I prefer it to sitting, better for you), wouldn't take my boy, but on my own, would stand every time. Argued BE lower would be a far better place atmosphere wise, for the club, lots of sitting options would remain (the majority)

[Neal]

Sorry but no would be my vote. I understand why you want standing. I also know what can happen in standing areas and I wouldn't want it. Personal choice but I have been in standing areas when the crowd has surged and it's not safe at all.

Obviously not grasping the term "safe standing" then.

The atmosphere at English football is dead. This needs to be put in place. Behind it 100%

[Shabani]

Considering we still allow people to stand on buses and stand at concerts, then standing at a football match seems perfectly reasonable

Good luck

[glen9mullan]

As part of my role as a elected member of the National council of the FSF who are leading this campaign ,and Chairman of BRFCAG

I can confirm I contacted Derek Shaw last week who confirmed the club would fully support the campaign ,

There was a concern on the cost it would incur and if any funding would be made available via grants ect if this campaign was successful , due to money being made available to clubs when it became compulsory for all seater stadiums for clubs in the England within the higher divisions .

Derek stated that standing does add to the atmosphere but it would have to be fully compliant with all safety aspects as this would always be the first and most important part of any changes.

It was nice to see our club would be supportive of National campaigns and would consider changes should the current rules be relaxed

[Proudtobeblue&white]

As part of my role as a elected member of the National council of the FSF who are leading this campaign ,and Chairman of BRFCAG

I can confirm I contacted Derek Shaw last week who confirmed the club would fully support the campaign ,

There was a concern on the cost it would incur and if any funding would be made available via grants ect if this campaign was successful , due to money being made available to clubs when it became compulsory for all seater stadiums for clubs in the England within the higher divisions .

Derek stated that standing does add to the atmosphere but it would have to be fully compliant with all safety aspects as this would always be the first and most important part of any changes.

It was nice to see our club would be supportive of National campaigns and would consider changes should the current rules be relaxed

Fantastic news, doesn't suit everyone, but would be brilliant for atmosphere, you've got my vote

[Bluemonday BRFC]

As part of my role as a elected member of the National council of the FSF who are leading this campaign ,and Chairman of BRFCAG

I can confirm I contacted Derek Shaw last week who confirmed the club would fully support the campaign ,

There was a concern on the cost it would incur and if any funding would be made available via grants ect if this campaign was successful , due to money being made available to clubs when it became compulsory for all seater stadiums for clubs in the England within the higher divisions .

Derek stated that standing does add to the atmosphere but it would have to be fully compliant with all safety aspects as this would always be the first and most important part of any changes.

It was nice to see our club would be supportive of National campaigns and would consider changes should the current rules be relaxed

Brilliant! Agreed, its very reassuring to see the Club back the campaign. Excellent effort.

[gumboots]

Obviously not grasping the term "safe standing" then.The atmosphere at English football is dead. This needs to be put in place. Behind it 100%

Only said I wouldn't back it. You're entitled to if you want as you'd be entitled to go in those ares if they were introduced and you wanted to. I understand your reasons for wanting it but it's not something I'd go out of my way to ask for.

[Beta Ray Bill]

Can someone clarify what happens for away fans? Will it be effectively enforced standing (or enforced seating) at grounds that aren't big enough or easily designed to allow part and part? For example, I could see the Darwen End being safe standing lower tier and seating upper so fans who want to stand can, and those who want to sit can. However, at many grounds such a distinction wouldn't be possible.

And if the grounds which can be segregated aren't likely to sell out in one area, is it viable to open 2? Here the Darwen End example is again quite good - how many times under current arrangements would we expect to need the upper tier, but would possibly need it every match with safe standing?

I am curious to know how it works elsewhere. Can those who want to sit do so without being blocked by those who want to stand, or are those who want to stand unable to do so if there's a large contingent of sitters?

[Husky]

Considering we still allow people to stand on buses and stand at concerts, then standing at a football match seems perfectly reasonable

Good luck

Yeah, and some of those bus drivers are right @#/?s, you get on and they set off whilst you're walking to find a seat and you have to use all your skateboard/surfing skills to try and stay upright.

I'd vote yes, just so long as people over 6 foot have to stand on the 2nd row.

[Ben-2000]

Great that this campaign is gaining momentum and Rovers have offered their support.

If the fans & the clubs want it and it is shown to be safe then there is going to be some serious pressure on the law-makers to revise the current legislation.

I agree with a post above too - the Darwen End would be the perfect place to do it for both home and away fans who tend to stand anyway.

[K-Hod]

With this though- if you don't want to stand, you don't have to, if you do, you can. Fail to see any issues with that.

[FGS5635]

Darwen end and away fans stand all game anyway. All this would do would make their 'naughty' standing, safer and allowed. Seems a no brainer

[matt83]

I'd be massively behind a standing area at Ewood or any ground in the country the atmosphere would be so much better.

We went to Germany on a mates stag do and took in a local game where they had those standing areas where seats were locked up. It was a great crack.They were so much more relaxed even had someone walking around with what can only be described as a larger back pack topping everyone's pint up on the terrace.

Plus it's not like every side will be standing so those who want to stand together chanting can and those who want to sit supping bovril can as well both happily.

[Jimmy612]

I'd be massively behind a standing area at Ewood or any ground in the country the atmosphere would be so much better.

We went to Germany on a mates stag do and took in a local game where they had those standing areas where seats were locked up. It was a great crack.They were so much more relaxed even had someone walking around with what can only be described as a larger back pack topping everyone's pint up on the terrace.

Plus it's not like every side will be standing so those who want to stand together chanting can and those who want to sit supping bovril can as well both happily.

I wouldn't bet on that happening here - shame it can't because there's nothing better than standing at the football with a beer. Rugby is great when you stand/sit and enjoy a beet during the game.

[Andy]

Sorry but no would be my vote. I understand why you want standing. I also know what can happen in standing areas and I wouldn't want it. Personal choice but I have been in standing areas when the crowd has surged and it's not safe at all.

Completely agree.

We're in 2014, not 1984; you sit down at a football match, not stand.

[K-Hod]

What's the problem if you can do either. Nobody's forcing you to stand, giving you the option to sit.

People stand anyway!!!

[FGS5635]

The point is you cant surge if its implemented properly like in germany

[Al]

I am in favour of safe standing. As I have said before I hate people standing in front of me in seated areas but if there is a specific area for standing there is no reason to stand in seated areas and everyone is happy. Bring it on.

[glen9mullan]

Following a successful ballot survey to the football clubs , the football league has now agreed to Lobby the Goverment regarding the safe standing campaign .

I'm currently in the process of trying to get the model to Ewood on a match day for supporters to see it in the flesh and try it out .

Rovers are fully supportive of the campaign and we at the FSF have been putting quite a lot of work in behind the scenes to try and get the football leagues but in , so quite massive news for the campaign

There is a good article in the daily telegraph but not sure how to post a link vis my phone

[Mike E]

Following a successful ballot survey to the football clubs , the football league has now agreed to Lobby the Goverment regarding the safe standing campaign .

I'm currently in the process of trying to get the model to Ewood on a match day for supporters to see it in the flesh and try it out .

Rovers are fully supportive of the campaign and we at the FSF have been putting quite a lot of work in behind the scenes to try and get the football leagues but in , so quite massive news for the campaign

There is a good article in the daily telegraph but not sure how to post a link vis my phone

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/10623219/Football-League-to-lobby-Government-in-major-move-for-safe-standing-areas.html

[glen9mullan]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/10623219/Football-League-to-lobby-Government-in-major-move-for-safe-standing-areas.html

Thanks

[Mike E]

Great news, may I add it'd shut up the biased stewards who insist away followers all sit down 'or else innit'.