Safe-standing areas - TIME FOR ACTION

[Svlad Cjelli]

Note to mods - this isn't yet another debate of the issues, this is a call to action, hence the new, distinct, thread.

The Bath MP, Don Foster, introduced a Bill into the House of Commons yesterday to legalise custom-designed Safe Standing areas.

If you are in favour of this, I would suggest that you e-mail your MP by using the link http://www.writetothem.com/

Ask them, as is your right as a constituent, to support the passage of the Safe Standing Bill which was introduced by Don Foster, MP yesterday - and ask them for their reasons if they won't.

I'd also love to know what replies you get - please PM me for an e-mail address, but just the fact that MPs out there know that there is widespread support for this will make a real difference to the cause.

EDIT - If anyone wants to see the wording of the bill it's here : http://bathlibdems.org.uk/news/000380/don_foster_mp_for_bath_introduces_the_safe_standing_bill.html

[roadrunner]

Thank you and done.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

When is the bill voted on?

[Row Z Royal]

When is the bill voted on?

Probably in about two years.

[Jackson Corner]

Never happen waste of time.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Never happen waste of time.

Why wouldn't it happen?

Pretty straight-forward bill that really can't be turned down for any good reason.

[Svlad Cjelli]

When is the bill voted on?

Second reading in June.

This is unlikely to become law as it's what is known as a 10-Minute Bill, but if there is enough support it can be adopted as a Government Bill, so it is then very likely to be passed.

And for that to happen it needs as many MPs as possible being contacted and seeing that there is demand for it.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Never happen waste of time.

How can you be quite so sure about that?

The only thing that is definite is that if enough people adopt the same attitude as you then it certainly won't happen.

[roadrunner]

Never happen waste of time.

But why not try anyway? The more that do the better. The German's found a way to reintroduce safe standing so it's not out of the question.

[biscuitman]

Never happen waste of time.

People don't agree with you.

[West Stand Man]

Never happen waste of time.

People don't agree with you.

That is the way of the world, some people won't agree others will - it makes us what we are.

I for one don't think that we will see a return to standing areas ..... but that is just my opinion.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Never happen waste of time.

People don't agree with you.

That is the way of the world, some people won't agree others will - it makes us what we are.

I for one don't think that we will see a return to standing areas ..... but that is just my opinion.

You may be right - but I can say with total certainty that we are now closer than we've been at any time in the last 20 years to seeing some change in this direction.

[biscuitman]

Done. Rob Wilson- check your emails.

[Jackson Corner]

Never happen waste of time.

Why wouldn't it happen?

Pretty straight-forward bill that really can't be turned down for any good reason.

OK lets take Reading for example. Can you really see the club spending money on taking out seats and creating a standing area? Not only would this cost the club money they would have to charge less money for standing tickets to people who would go regardless of seating or standing? Yes it may be classed as safe standing but we all know the sort of people who would want to go to a standing section, the sort that caused trouble at Birmingham and sing foul abusive songs not good for a club that won family club of the year. Where would the standing section go? North/West stand? The other end of the ground from away supporterrs I really can't see many takers can you? Standing was great at EP on the Southbank when you could sing, swear and abuse visiting fans but this is 2010 and it will never happen.

[STAR Liaison]

It doesn't help when it gets reported on 5Live with comments such as 'do supporters really want to stand?' it just shows how out of touch even the reporters can be, and unobservant as at many premiership grounds (the only ones some attend as well as the only ones that matter ) so many of the crowd do not sit at all.

[ZacNaloen]

Never happen waste of time.

Why wouldn't it happen?

Pretty straight-forward bill that really can't be turned down for any good reason.

OK lets take Reading for example. Can you really see the club spending money on taking out seats and creating a standing area? Not only would this cost the club money they would have to charge less money for standing tickets to people who would go regardless of seating or standing? Yes it may be classed as safe standing but we all know the sort of people who would want to go to a standing section, the sort that caused trouble at Birmingham and sing foul abusive songs not good for a club that won family club of the year. Where would the standing section go? North/West stand? The other end of the ground from away supporterrs I really can't see many takers can you? Standing was great at EP on the Southbank when you could sing, swear and abuse visiting fans but this is 2010 and it will never happen.

Of course it can happen


*casts a curious eye in the direction of Germany*

[roadrunner]

It doesn't help when it gets reported on 5Live with comments such as 'do supporters really want to stand?' it just shows how out of touch even the reporters can be, and unobservant as at many premiership grounds (the only ones some attend as well as the only ones that matter ) so many of the crowd do not sit at all.

I can see safe standing returning, but it would be one stand at most grounds, maybe two. Modern supporters and families will like their comforts of a seat and food and drink, while the older of us fans that prefer football and supporting your team in its rawest form will prefer to stand and jostle for a view. The German's have proved it is possible to incorporate both and keep everyone safe and happy, so we can too. Ticket control is light years ahead of what it was like in the 80's, so there isn't even the risk of overcrowding like there was 20 years ago.

[weybridgewanderer]

it wouldn't even by a stand, it would be a section, at the mad stad for example maybe they would convert Y26, or the top half of Y26

not sure why people believe clubs would need to charge less to stand, if there is limited standing maybe supply would exceed demand for that section and the club could charge a premium for the limited few that want to stand.

[ZacNaloen]

You could charge slightly less to attract fans who don't quite have enough for a season ticket elsewhere in the ground. You'd probably get more people applying, and as you can fit more people in a standing area compared to seated there's a chance they'd get more bang for buck from a standing area over all.

[weybridgewanderer]

You could charge slightly less to attract fans who don't quite have enough for a season ticket elsewhere in the ground. You'd probably get more people applying, and as you can fit more people in a standing area compared to seated there's a chance they'd get more bang for buck from a standing area over all.

In a safe standing area I am not sure, can you get more people in? Would concourse capactity, stairwells and exit availability be demeed suitable for any increase in capacity in those sections?

safe standing at the mad stad would basically mean replacing the seats with metal bars to ensure the allocated safe space you are assigned is identifiable.

safe standing is not a return to terracing

If supply exceeds demand, why would I want to charge less?

If people can't afford to come, why not just charge less, why invest in a safe standing area to make them come?

Will they only come if 1 its cheaper and 2 they can stand?